"On the pleasant shore of the French Riviera, about half way between Marseilles and the Italian border, stands a large, proud, rose-colored hotel. Deferential palms cool its flushed facade, and before it stretches a short dazzling beach. Lately it has become a summer resort of notable and fashionable people; a decade ago it was almost deserted after its English clientele went north in April. Now, many bungalows cluster near it, but when this story begins only the cupolas of a dozen old villas rotted like water lilies among the massed pines between Gausse's Hôtel des Étrangers and Cannes, five miles away."
Tender is the Night
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
My 'Paris in July' reading continues this week with Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a book I loved in high school and have been meaning to reread for years. So far, the language is a more flowery than I remembered and the plot isn't even vaguely familiar yet. High school was quite a few years ago...
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.
Paris in July is hosted by Karen and Tamara.
I've never read that book but I don't particularly like flowery writing so it may not be for me.
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion - This may not be your style them ...
DeleteI would read (and plan to) this one. I love that intro which seems to set the stage for a great reading experience. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteDiane - The opening does paint a lovely picture!
DeleteBeautiful and lyrical language can be found in these classics, and I haven't read this one! Right now I'm reading Paris Without End, about Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley. So I'm immersed in this era.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain Snow - Paris Without End sound like one I'll need to check out, especially since I enjoyed The Paris Wife!
DeleteI adore this cover. I think I read it when I was in high school but it's not coming back to me.
ReplyDeleteTi - Guess high school was just too long ago, lol!
DeleteI love reading these Paris in July posts, but it REALLY makes me want to go! LOL
ReplyDeleteRhapsody - Me, too! I've never been, but will get there one of these years.
DeleteI've not read this (I don't think...but my high school days were a total waste.) It sounds really lovely.
ReplyDeleteSandy - This wasn't for my regular English class, it was a 'novels' elective senior year. Couldn't get enough books back then either...
DeleteIt has been so long since reading this book. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNise' - Thanks, I am. It's been so long that it's like reading for the first time.
DeleteWhat a lovely Tuesday Intro. I read this whilst holidaying in the area a few years ago, think it might be time for another read & daydreaming of another holiday there.
ReplyDeleteJoan Hunter Dunn - Now that sounds like a perfect reading experience!!
DeleteI should re-read this also. Been 30 some years? Will check out the first paragraph site. Just yesterday, a writing friend and I looked at all the books on my shelf at the cabin and read the first lines of each book. Decided the short story writers were the best.
ReplyDeleteMidlife Jobhunter - 30 and then some! Short story writers are definitely the best at opening lines, I agree.
DeleteI hear you about how fast time flies!!! I've never read anything by this author!
ReplyDeleteStaci - Go for Gatsby! There's a new movie coming out at the end of the year.
DeleteI read it in recent years, but for some reasons, I've totally forgotten most of it. From this first paragraph, I remember it vaguely. I think the only memorable Fitzgerald has to be The Great Gatsby for me... hands down. And, I don't mind rereading it over and over again.
ReplyDeleteArti - I can read Gatsby over and over again! In high school, I remember thinking I liked Tender is the Night better. We'll see how I feel now...
DeleteI also read this so long ago that it barely counts anymore as being read. I thought about rereading it as the book I picked for Paris in July turned out to be not working for me (A Novel Bookstore), but I'm not sure I'm in the mood for Fitzgerald's moody, self-indulgent albeit brilliant writing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your reread!
JaneGS - Too bad about A Novel Bookstore...I've been curious about that one. It really does seem as if I'm reading Tender is the Night for the first time - you do have to be in the right sort of mood for Fitzgerald!
DeleteI've never read this, or anything by Fitzgerald, but if that intro is any indication of the style, I think I might like it.
ReplyDeleteCarol - Fitzgerald has a very distinct, and gorgeous, writing style. Gatsby would be a great short introduction... and just in time for the new movie, too!
DeleteGreat book! I finished it a few months ago and enjoyed it. I can't imagine living life like that!
ReplyDeleteMichelle - I put this aside a couple of weeks ago and need to get back to it - just love Fotzgerald's descriptions.
DeleteSo far I have only read and reread on several occasions The Great Gatsby. My son has read several others and urges me to do the same. You tempt me also...
ReplyDeleteKathleen - Fitzgerald's prose is beautiful, but I just wasn't in the mood for it last month and ended up putting the book aside after 100 pages. Will return to it in the fall...
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