"I want to tell you some important things before we start our journey.
I lived through it all. That's one problem about relating events in first person. The reader knows the narrator didn't get killed. So whatever might happen to me - whatever did happen to me - you can be sure I lived through it all, although I might be a little better or worse for the experience, and you can make up your own mind which."
Boy's Life
by Robert McCammon
A week or two ago, I previewed the first fifty pages of our next book club selection. I was unfamiliar with Robert McCammon, but was almost instantly reminded of Pat Conroy - definitely a good thing! Now it's time to begin reading in earnest.
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.
I haven't read this, but you've intrigued me. Here's Mine
ReplyDeletePaulita - I hope the rest of the book is as good as the first 50 pages.
DeleteI'm not familiar with this author, JoAnn but I like Pat Contoy's books very much. This paragraph is intriguing, too...I'm curious and a little worried about what the narrator lived through!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like this book!
Amy - I really like Pat Conroy and this book got very high ratings on amazon, so I'm hopeful!
DeleteNever heard of this author, but I love the INTRO. At first I was thinking of This Boy's Life (which I liked an awful lot). Thanks for joining in and hope u like it.
ReplyDeleteDiane - When they announced the selection, I thought it was This Boy's Life. I do enjoy Tobias Wolff!
DeleteI like the beginning and would keep on reading.
ReplyDeleteNise' - I'm excited to get back to this book.
DeleteNever heard of him either, but if he is ANYTHING like Conroy, and with that intro, I'd read it.
ReplyDeleteSandy - The southern setting and great storytelling remind me so much of Pat Conroy, that I want to reread Beach Music!
DeleteOh, I do like this opener...at first I thought I'd seen a movie based on this story, but I can see it is a different book.
ReplyDeleteThis does make me want to grab the book, though. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain Snow - I've found a few more reviews from bloggers I trust and it really sounds like it's going to be a great book!
DeleteI really do like that opener and loving Conroy makes me think I would enjoy this one!!
ReplyDeleteStaci - The opening chapters seemed so much in Conroy's style, I can't help but love it!
DeleteI read this several years ago on the urging of Trish at Love, Laughter and Insanity, and find it's really stuck with me. I'm not really sure why, but certain images from the book pop into my head in ways that most books don't. There's a review somewhere on my blog.
ReplyDeleteLisa - Thanks so much your comment! I found your review and it also had a link to Trish's review. I talked with her on twitter and knew she loved it. Seems like it will be an all-consuming story.
DeleteIt's been many years since I read this book, but as I recall, I loved it!! I read his chunkster, Swan Song, as well and thought it was even better than The Stand (Stephen King). You're in for a treat with McCammon!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever want to reread Beach Music, let me know. I may join you. It's one of my all-time favorite books.
I also wanted to say that I was so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. I'm sending warm thoughts your way, dear friend.
Les - I'm even more excited to get into Boy's Life knowing that you loved it! Not sure how this author has totally escaped my notice. A reread of Beach Music may be in order next summer... such a great book.
DeleteThanks so much for the kind words, too. My MIL had been sick for several years, so in many ways her passing is a blessing. Still hard for those left behind though.
Sounds like a winner--and I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteJane GS - I'm really enjoying it so far!
DeleteA bit ambiguous but then maybe that's what's tugging the reader in. Interesting opening.
ReplyDeleteArti - Ambiguous, yes, but the feeling of nostalgia is reeling me in.
DeleteI think that you're in for a treat with this one. As Les mentions it's pretty reminiscent of The Stand and I even felt a little bit of The Sandlot. Something about childhood nostalgia is so comfortable and familiar. I really hope that you love this one.
ReplyDeleteTrish - I've never read The Stand, but am really enjoying this one so far. The feeling of nostalgia comes through clearly and is incredibly comforting. Early reaction from other members of the book group are positive, too.
DeleteI loved this book so much when I first read it...about twenty years ago! If I recall correctly there's a passage where the boys are riding their bikes and they whirl round and round until they go up into the sky? It was the first time I enjoyed elements of magical realism in a novel.
ReplyDeletep.s. In many ways it reminded me of Bradbury's Dandelion Wine. In a good way. ;)
DeleteOh, Meredith! You and I truly are twins separated at birth. I loved this book when I read it (yes, probably 20 years ago!) and felt it to be so similar to Dandelion Wine, which I read in junior high school (probably 1976). I've been telling myself for the past decade or so to reread Dandelion Wine. Perhaps another buddy read next summer? ;)
DeleteBellezza - I haven't reached the part where the boys on bikes whirl up to the sky, but am very intrigued with that image! Have had difficulty with magical realism all along, so will be curious to see how this strikes me. You and Les both have me curious about Dandelion Wine - how did I miss that one in my youth?
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