Since Edwin died, I have lived with my sister Margot in the Batavia, an Art Deco apartment building on beautiful West Tenth Street in Greenwich Village. This arrangement has made a great deal of sense for us both: I lost my husband without warning, and Margot lost her entire life's savings to the Ponzi schemer whose name we dare not speak.
Though we call ourselves roommates, we are definitely more than that, something on the order of wartime trenchmates. She refers to me fondly as her boarder - ironic, of course, because no one confuses a boarding house with an apartment reached via an elevator button marked PH. In a sense, we live in both luxury and poverty, looking out over the Hudson while stretching the contents of tureens of stews and soups that Margot cooks expertly and cheerfully.The View From Penthouse B
by Elinor Lipman
My library hold arrived late last week, and I couldn't resist beginning The View From Penthouse B right away. It's my first Lipman novel - very New York, very 21st century, and thoroughly entertaining.
What do you think of the opening paragraphs? Would you keep reading?
I enjoyed this book, and this opener does present the scenes and characters very well. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHere's MY TUESDAY MEMES POST
Laurel-Rain Snow - I'm enjoying it, too... love the setting and the characters.
DeleteI read this one at the start of the summer and loved the strong female characters and quirky neighbors. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2013/08/first-chapter-first-paragraph-28-and.html
Catherine - The characters are wonderful. I'm adding her other novels to my list.
DeleteGreat first paragraph. I would definitely keep reading.
ReplyDeleteCarol - This drew me in right away, too.
DeleteThe opening paragraph is very interesting. I think I'd continue reading. Kelley at the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteKelley - I read the first 50 pages before I looked up.
DeleteThe opening was a quick introduction to two people and done in a way that makes the reader want ro know more. Very well done is a short amount of words. I look forward ro seeng what you think of this one.
ReplyDeleteMargot - I haven't read Lipman before, but am enjoying these characters very much.
DeleteI used to work just a few blocks from West Tenth, with a view of the Hudson -- so I would definitely keep reading!
ReplyDeleteCol - Then you would love this for the setting alone! I'm familiar with that area and am enjoying many of the references.
DeleteNot only would I keep on reading, I wouldn't stop until I was done. I love books about NYC, fiction and otherwise, and the voice of the narrator has great promise for being someone I would like to spend time exploring the city with.
ReplyDeleteJaneGS - The setting and the narrative voice drew me in immediately.. the characters are quirky and fun!
DeleteWell I would have, and I did... but even if I didn't know Elinor Lipman's work, I think the combination of smart, funny, New York and food would have reeled me in. :) Though I did miss her writing about Boston and Brookline this time.
ReplyDeleteAudrey - I have you to thank for this one! I'll definitely be reading more of her novels.... The Inn at Lake Divine may be next.
DeleteSounds great. I think I have this on my Kindle.
ReplyDeleteYvonne - You're in for a treat :-)
DeleteI like the intro a lot. Haven't read this one yet by her books: Inn at Lake Divine and My Latest Grievance were favorites. enjoy and thanks for joining us.
ReplyDeleteDiane - The Inn at Lake Divine is on my wish list. Will add My Latest Grievance, too!
DeleteI don't know. It seems like an info dump, a lot of things I'd like to see roll out as the story moves forward. But that's just me, and my first impression! :-)
ReplyDeleteMarie - True... you've got a pretty good idea about the characters in just two paragraphs.
DeleteI would keep reading. I have not read this author.
ReplyDeleteNise - This is my first experience with Lipman, too, but I'm already planning to read more.
DeleteIt kept me reading - and in fact I read it pretty much straight through, which rarely happens these days. I hadn't read one of her books in a long time, and it was nice to settle in with one again.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I can see why you'd want to read this book in just a couple of sittings!
DeleteI do so like this opener. Very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteMystica - The rest of the book has been just as good.
DeleteI[m so familiar with the name, Elinor Lipman, as an author. I just haven't read any of her books. I like the style of the writing from your First.....The idea of being rich and poor at the same time is interesting.
ReplyDeleteTea - I just finished the book this afternoon and will definitely be reading more of her work.
DeleteThis book sounds very interesting and different. I would continue read The theme of loss connecting people is powerful, too and fascinates me.I haven't read any of Lipman's books yet, but I think I need to add her to my list of authors to read!
ReplyDeleteAmy - I finished the book today and definitely think you would like this author!
DeleteI like it! An author I would like to read someday so I look forward to seeing what you think of this one.
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye - I liked the characters and setting.... this was a very good read!
DeleteI would keep reading. I'm intrigued by the two sisters already!
ReplyDeleteDiana - Those two sisters made for some very entertaining reading!
Delete