Thursday, March 17, 2016

Book Beginning: Loitering with Intent



THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON FRIDAYS FOR BOOK BEGINNING FUN!

Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author’s name.

EARLY BIRDS & SLOWPOKES: This weekly post goes up Thursday evening for those who like to get their posts up and linked early on. But feel free to add a link all week.

FACEBOOK: Rose City Reader has a Facebook page where I post about new and favorite books, book events, and other bookish tidbits, as well as link to blog posts. I'd love a "Like" on the page! You can go to the page here to Like it. I am happy to Like you back if you have a blog or professional Facebook page, so please leave a comment with a link and I will find you.

TWITTER, ETC: If you are on Twitter, Google+, or other social media, please post using the hash tag #BookBeginnings. I try to follow all Book  Beginnings participants on whatever interweb sites you are on, so please let me know if I have missed any and I will catch up.

TIE IN: The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice is a natural tie in with this event and there is a lot of cross over, so many people combine the two. The idea is to post a teaser from page 56 of the book you are reading and share a link to your post. Find details and the Linky for your Friday 56 post on Freda’s Voice.

YOUR BOOK BEGINNING



MY BOOK BEGINNING



One day in the middle of the twentieth century I sat in an old graveyard which had not yet been demolished, in the Kensington area of London, when a young policeman stepped off the path and came over to me.

-- Loitering with Intent by Muriel Spark. That is my favorite kind of opening sentence -- one that sets a vivid and particular scene, but also hints at bigger world events with its "not yet been demolished." It gets my brain revved up for a good story because I know she is going to cram a lot in.

I'm a Muriel Spark fan, starting with The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie because it was on the Modern Library's list of Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century. But I really got hooked with The Mandelbaum Gate (reviewed here).

14 comments :

  1. I love this author! I don't think I've read this one...thanks for sharing.

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  2. I plan on watching The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie on Netflix! I've heard of Muriel Spark but never have ventured near any of her work ... yet ...

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  3. This sounds fantastic! I'm adding this one to my tbd! :)

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  4. What a masterful opening line. Bravo! Now I want to read something by this author.

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  5. Hi Gilion,

    Oh Dear! This is another name to add to my list of 'modern classical' authors I have yet to read.

    Just about the only one of Muriel's books I can name is 'The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie', although I have neither read the book itself, or watched either the film or television series (not in its entirety anyway), although at the time it first aired back in the late 1970s, the star of the series Geraldine McEwan, was very well received in the role as Miss Jean Brodie.

    'Loitering With Intent' sounds really good also, so I hope that you enjoy it as much as all her other books you have read.

    Thanks for hosting and enjoy your weekend :)

    Yvonne

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  6. I loved 'The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie', but I don't think I've read any of her other books! I really should - that opening sentence makes me want to know more.

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  7. It does hint of things to come and I am curious.
    sherry @ fundinmental Friday Memes

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  8. I saw The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, the movie, but have not read her books, as yet....

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  9. I love the beginning! It definitely is hinting at a bigger picture. I hope you enjoy this one!

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  10. Hi Gillion,
    I've seen the movie The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, but haven't read the book. This one sounds intriguing. Have a great day!

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  11. I love the cover and the title.

    Looks like a good read. Wonder what the policeman wants. I guess when he sees someone sitting in a graveyard it would arouse his curiosity.

    I would read this book.

    THANKS for sharing.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My It's Monday, What Are You Reading

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  12. OOPS...wrong ending link.

    Sorry.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Book Beginnings

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  13. This opening is intriguing; I do love mysteries and this sounds like one, with the policeman and the graveyard.

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