"On the boat we were mostly virgins. We had long black hair and flat wide feet and we were not very tall. Some of us had eaten nothing but rice gruel as young girls and had slightly bowed legs, and some of us were only fourteen years old and were still young girls ourselves. Some of us came from the city, and wore stylish city clothes, but many more of us came from the country and on the boat we wore the same old kimonos we'd been wearing for years - faded hand-me-downs from our sisters that had been patched and redyed many times. Some of us came from the mountains, and had never before seen the sea, except for in pictures, and some of us were the daughters of fishermen who had been around the sea all our lives. Perhaps we had lost a father or brother to the sea, or a fiance, or perhaps someone we loved had jumped into the water one unhappy morning and simply swum away, and now it was time for us, too, to move on."The Buddha In The Attic
by Julie Otsuka
A short book is just what I need for this busy holiday week and, at just 129 pages, The Buddha in the Attic seems like the perfect choice. Have you read it? Would you continue reading based on this first chapter? Tuesday Intros is hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea.
Yes, I would probably keep reading. And knowing that it has mixed reviews - I want to know what I would think of it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd definitely keep reading. Sounds like a good one JoAnn.
ReplyDeleteI have not read it, but the intro has me wanting to read more to find out why they are on the boat.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely reading this, this paragraph has me very curious.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this was such a short book, that adds to my curiosity, too!
This intro piques my interest. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read it but I liked the way it starts so I would keep going!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely keep reading - I absolutely loved her first book.
ReplyDeleteI'd keep reading. I like the way that first chapter sounds. I have a copy but I just haven't started yet. Soon.
ReplyDeleteMine First Chapter is here: Quirky Girls Read
Care - I'm curious about the mixed reviews, too. I really like it so far.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I'm enjoying it so far... not loving it just yet though.
Nise' - They are 'picture brides' from Japan coming to meet their new husbands in the US.
Amy - It really is very short... almost a novella.
DCMetroreader - The book is pretty good so far.
Staci - This voice is pretty constant for the first 50+ pages... very poetic and haunting.
Nymeth - I really enjoyed her first book, too!
Margot - Will be curious to hear what you think of it.
This is definitely on my wish list. Sounds like a marvelous book and I believe it has been nominated for awards.
ReplyDeleteI have this one on my kindle. I am excited to read it!
ReplyDeleteAh, I've wanted to read this one forever! I would most definitely continue reading :)
ReplyDeleteJust stop by to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving, JoAnn! We in Canada is prep. for the Christmas Season already... winter and all. I just admire your fall colors still. The US Thanksgiving is always mesmerizing to me. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteArti
I'd definitely read this one. I, too, did not realize this was more of a novella. 129 pages you can read at lunchtime!
ReplyDeleteHarvee - You're right. It was a finalist for the National Book Award, and I see that amazon has it on it's list of best books for the year, too.
ReplyDeleteReviewsbylola - You're in for a treat!
Sam - This book draws the reader in very quickly.
Rippleeffects - Thanks, Arti. Our Christmas prep goes into high gear today. I love fall and the beautiful colors, but almost all of the leaves in my header photo are gone now... winter photo will be there before too long, I'm afraid.
Kaye - I'm a pretty slow reader, so that would require a looong lunch break ;-)
I loved this book and I hope you end up enjoying it. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThis is on my wishlist -- I can invest 130 pages into something that I've read mixed reviews on (and, yes, this intro would keep me turning those pages)
ReplyDeleteI have recently finished When the Emperor was Divine and her matter-of-fact, emotionally detached writing on a historically shameful event just shocked me. This intro is quite a tease.
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