Everything in Rhonda's house was beige. Beige rooms, beige couch, beige table and chairs. Even the painters whose landscapes hung on the walls had been stingy with their palettes.
When Rhonda complained to her mother about the lack of color, insisting that it stifled her, Louise May sighed wistfully, as if she'd also rather have red walls, purple couches, yellow table and chairs, but she insisted the house was tasteful. The only brightly colored item in the house was a quilt that Louise May had pieced together herself, just for Rhonda, from pink squares of material. Rhonda would lie on her bed and trace the quilt's pattern with her fingertips, naming the different shades: hot pink, shell pink, rose pink, baby-girl pink.
The Earthquake Machine
by Mary Pauline Lowry
I recently won this book through a Friday Reads give-away on twitter. Although I don't have time to start it right now, the opening passage really appeals to me and makes me want to get to it that much sooner. What do you think?
Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening paragraph(s). Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
Ah, this one sounds quirky, and like something I would enjoy. I'm curious about all the beige, for one thing...lol
ReplyDeleteThere must be a backstory to that!
Here's MY TUESDAY MEMES POST
Laurel-Rain Snow - All the beige has got me wondering, too!
DeleteI LOVE the sound of this -- it sounds very quirky, and that is something I like in a book! What a cool cover as well. Adding to wish list already...LOL
ReplyDeleteDiane - I just loved the intro! It does sound very quirky... I'm going to need to make time for this one soon.
DeleteI'm hooked and fascinated! It's worky and unique but I also sense something deeper, hopefully not troubling, going on here.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice, JoAnn, this is going on my wishlist!
Amy - This may be a coming-of-age story of sorts. I think the opening is fantastic!
DeleteRead it! Read it! I think I'm going to go find a full summary of the book to figure out what the deal is with earthquakes and the lack of color!
ReplyDeleteSandy - Think I am going to have to read this one. I hadn't heard anything about it before it arrived in the mail, but I LOVED the opening.
DeleteWell, I'm not entirely sure if I would keep on or not....I'd have to read a few more pages. That cover is certainly different, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteStaci - It sure is! Mexico figures prominently in this story, too.
DeleteInteresting opening--longing for color in a beige world. I can relate! It has a magical realism feel to it, which works w the cover. Will be interested to hear if you end up liking it.
ReplyDeleteJaneGS - I believe magical realism figures into this novel, but that may actually put me off a little. We'll see.
DeleteCongratulations on winning the book. :D I'm not particularly attracted by the title and the cover... but I like the opening paragraphs, so I'd really like to read more! *thumbs up*
ReplyDeleteLaya - That's exactly how I feel! I like the writing more than the packaging.
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