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Book Beginnings & Friday 56: 5/13/2011

5/13/2011

5 Comments

 
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Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by A Few More Pages.

from The Polished Hoe by Austin Clarke--


My name is Mary. People in this Village call me Mary-Mathilda. Or, Tilda, for short. To my mother I was Mary-girl. My names I am christen with are Mary Gertrude Mathilda, but I don't use Gertrude, because my maid has the same name.


Whenever a book opens with a character introducing herself, it's usually indicative of a mystery and/or epic tale of their life. I think this is both. It could be a hit or miss. While not far into this read, I love Clarke's writing style but the pace is questionable.


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Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice.

from Drop by Mat Johnson--

Because if I got up there they would boo or laugh or throw rocks at my head. Because I wasn't made for the pedestal, I was unsuitable for display. No crowd would ever accept Chris Jones held up above them.

This sums up the disillusion and angst of the novel's protagonist.

5 Comments
Freda link
5/13/2011 10:37:28 am

Sounds horrible and wonderful all at once.
Thanks for participating!

Reply
Laurel-Rain Snow link
5/13/2011 12:16:49 pm

I haven't heard of this one, but you're right about how this kind of opening signifies mysterious events.

Here's <a href="http://lindsaymalone.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/friday-memes-book-beginnings-friday-56-may-13/ " rel="nofollow">MY FRIDAY MEMES POST</a>

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Anne Bennett link
5/13/2011 12:46:34 pm

I like it when first person narrative let's you in on the inner-thoughts of the narrator. I have a suspicion that Mary or Tilda is going to encounter an event that sets her up for a name change.

Reply
Linda McLaren link
5/15/2011 08:23:32 pm

It certainly gives us quite a bit of info right off the bat without making it seem so.
Hope it's a good read.

Reply
Katy link
5/19/2011 04:10:35 am

I'm not sure that that beginning really draws me in, but that cover is really eye-catching. Very pretty.

Thanks for participating in Book Beginnings!

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