" the child was there on the stoop in the dark, hugging herself against the cold, all cried out and nearly sleeping. She couldn't holler any more and they didn't hear her anyway, or they might and that would make things worse. Somebody had shouted, Shut that thing up or I'll do it! and then a woman grabbed her out from under the table by her arm and pushed her out onto the stoop and shut the door and the cats went under the house. They wouldn't let her near them anymore because she picked them up by their tails sometimes. Her arms were all over scratched, and the scratches stung. She had crawled under the house to find the cats, but even when she did catch one in her hands it struggled harder the harder she held on to it and it bit her, so she let it go. Why you keep pounding at the screen door? Nobody gonna want you around if you act like that. And then the door closed again, and after a while the night came. The people inside fought themselves quiet, and it was night for a long time. She was afraid to be under the house, and afraid to be up on the stoop, but if she stayed by the door it might open."
*****
Lila, homeless and alone after years of roaming the countryside, steps inside a church in the small town of Gilead in Iowa - the only available shelter from the rain - and ignites a conversation and a romance that will reshape her life.
What did you think of the opening paragraph? Would you keep reading?
*****
Tuesday Intros is a meme hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea which bloggers can join in with by posting the first paragraph (or two) from a book of their choice.
Yes, absolutely. I have been wanting to read this book. I'm hoping I might get it for Christmas, that is if I don't buy it first.
ReplyDeleteThe prose is beautiful . I hope Santa will be kind to you.
DeleteBeautiful writing! I'd like to read this book, but should probably read Gilead first. It's been on my shelf for years.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Gilead either and am hoping that won't matter too much.
DeleteI'm not sure about this one. I definitely want to know more, but it sounds like a sad read. I'd read at least a little more before giving up on it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad beginning but hopefully life will look up for Lila as the story progresses.
DeleteWhat a powerful intro! I love the picture of all the cats...
ReplyDeleteI have this book on Sparky (my Kindle), and now can't wait to get to it. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
I really liked this opening paragraph and hoping the rest of the story will live up to its promise.
DeleteI love the cover of the first book, but not the intro, and I do like the 2nd intro by M. Robinson. I did read Gilead and liked it, but the next book not as much.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the others so going into this one with an open mind. I do think the writing is lovely.
DeleteYes, I would. :-) I read Gilead a few years ago and would like to know more of Lila's story. I see myself reading this in 2015...
ReplyDelete