"Tuesdays, Emily Maxwell put what precious little remained of her life in God's and her sister-in-law Arlene's shaky hands and they drove together to Edgewood for Eat 'n Park's two-for-one breakfast buffet. The Sunday Post-Gazette, among its myriad other pleasures, had coupons. The rest of the week she might have nothing but melba toast and tea for breakfast, maybe peel herself a clementine for some vitamin C, but the deal was too good to pass up, and served as a built-in excuse to get out of the house. Dr. Sayid was always saying she needed to eat more.
It wasn't far -- a few miles though East Liberty and Point Breeze and Regent Square on broad streets they knew like old friends -- but the trip was a test of Emily's nerves. Arlene's eyes weren't the best, and her attention to the outside world was directly affected by whatever conversation they were engaged in. When she concentrated on a thought, she drove more slowly, making them the object of honking, and once, recently, from a middle-aged woman who looked surprisingly like Emily's daughter Margaret, the finger."
Emily, Alone
by Stewart O'Nan
I finished Stewart O'Nan's Wish You Were Here yesterday and immediately moved on to it's sequel Emily, Alone. After just a few pages, I can tell it's another winner. Have you read O'Nan? Would you continue reading this based on the opening paragraphs?
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It's not fair of me to answer, since I've already read and loved both of those books. :-) I love O'Nan's work. Last Night at the Lobster is one of my all-time favorites.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I liked this book a lot (audio); the intro is terrific. I also liked Wish You Were Here. O'Nan has a new one coming out in january called: THE ODDS.
ReplyDeleteHave never read him, but yes, I would!
ReplyDeleteI read Songs for the Missing and was very impressed with him as a writer, so yes, I would read this!
ReplyDeleteI picked this one up at the library, but when I learned it was a sequel, I put it back, knowing I'd have to read the first book.
ReplyDeleteOh, such a great book!! I want to read the 'Lobster' book next.
ReplyDeleteI've never read anything by O'Nan. I'm not sure if I would or not based on this beginning. It seems sad somehow.
ReplyDeleteAmy - Last Night at the Lobster will be my next O'Nan novel!
ReplyDeleteDiane - Can't believe I've waited this long to read O'Nan. Glad to hear there will be a new title soon!
Audrey - He's been on my 'authors to read' list for years!
Rhapsodyinbooks - One more for my growing list!
Nise' - I did the same thing! Just finished Wish You Were Here and will post the review tomorrow.
Nan - You got me started on O'Nan. Will post my review of Wish You Were Here tomorrow...I'm loving this one so far.
Carol - I have a feeling this will be another quieter book... mostly a character study.
O'Nan is one of my favorite writers. I adored Emily Alone.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this author but I think Nan reviewed this one too and loved it. I will have to make a point to try to read some of his books.
ReplyDeleteThis looks good. I haven't read anything by him so it looks like I'd better catch up.
ReplyDeleteVicki - Stewart O'Nan has become a new favorite. Hope you get to read him soon.
ReplyDeleteLee - I can certainly see why! I'll definitely be reading more of O'Nan's work.
Staci - Nan got me started on O'Nan. I loved her review of this book, so read Wish You Were Here first. My review of that one will be up in the morning.
Paulita - O'Nan is a wonderful writer. I hope you get to read one of his novels soon.