Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Tuesday Intro: Runaway


Carla heard the car coming before it topped the little rise in the road that around here they call a hill. It's her, she thought. Mrs. Jamieson - Sylvia - home from her holiday in Greece. From the barn door - but far enough inside that she could not readily be seen - she watched the road Mrs. Jamieson would have to drive by on, her place being half a mile farther along the road than Clark and Carla's. 
If it was somebody getting ready to turn in at their gate it would be slowing down by now. But still Carla hoped. Let it not be her.
Runaway
by Alice Munro

Runaway is a collection of eight short stories from recent Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro. This intro comes from the first (and title) story. Raising all sorts of questions, it seems to pull the reader in immediately. I suggested the book to my book club and we will discuss it next week. We've never read a short story collection before, so I'm not sure what to expect. Discussion tips and suggestions are welcome!

What do you think of the intro? Does it make you want to read more?


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. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.

32 comments:

  1. This sounds interesting. I hope your book club enjoys it.

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    1. Pat - It should be interesting… we've never discussed a short story collection before.

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  2. I love the cover. I would pick it up!

    Here is my post

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  3. That intro is full of anticipation...I'd keep reading.

    My Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2013/11/first-chapter-first-paragraph-39.html

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  4. I want to read more! I have only read one of Alice Munro's books, Lives of Girls and Women. It's a collection of interlinked stories which some refer to as a novel. I loved Munro's writing.

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    1. Amy - I've only read two stories and they don't seem to be linked, but I do like her writing.

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    1. Kelley - Hope you get a chance to read her soon… thanks for visiting.

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  6. Oh, yes, now I am very curious. I like this author, and I've had my eye on it. Here's MY TUESDAY MEMES POST

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - I've been meaning to red her for years, so glad to finally have the motivation to do so. Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. I haven't read anything by Alice Munro, but I might be tempted after reading this!

    thanks for commenting on my blog! www.theolivareader.blogspot.com

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    1. Spangle - This is my first experience with Munro. Glad my book club decided to read her.

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  8. I would keep reading to find out why she did not want it to be her.

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  9. I've been to Greece so I'm hooked right away. Also want to know why Carla hopes it will not be Sylvia. Yes, I'd read more! My Tuesday Intro is a cozy mystery. A very different beginning!

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    1. Rob - I was drawn to the dynamics of that relationship, too. Good to see you blogging again!

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  10. I haven't read a short story collection in such a long time. It is an intriguing opening, and the author is quite popular and well-read, so I would be open to reading it. Enjoy.

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    1. Rita - My book club decided to read her because of the recent Nobel Prize, plus it will be a new experience reading short stories, We'll see how it goes...

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  11. I bought a book of her short stories, but not this one. Wonder if all the stories are connected?

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    1. Harvee - They don't seem to be in this collection, but I've only read the first two.

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  12. now you make me curious!

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  13. Haven't read this collection, but I do love the writing. enjoy and thanks for joining in JoAnn

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    1. Diane - I'm going to be curious to see how the group reacts to short stories in general. Munro is touted as being the master!

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  14. My book club wants to read something by Alice Munro too since she won the Nobel. I will suggest this book as I like the intro to this story.

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    1. Margot - That's exactly why we decided to read her. This particular collection was chosen because our library system had plenty of copies!

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  15. I've never read any of her books, and my book club has never read short stories either. I can't wait to hear how it is received...maybe I'll suggest it the next time it is my pick!

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    1. Sandy - This is my first experience with Munro, too. I'll write a post about our meeting in a few weeks.

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  16. Now I'm dying to know why Carla doesn't want it to be Mrs. Jameison! Very interested in reading what your book club thinks!

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    1. Stacy - I'm not sure how the short stories will go over with the group, but I'll definitely post about it after the meeting. Fingers crossed...

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  17. The introduction does make me want to know more. I've never read anything by Munro before. One day. :-)

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    1. Vasilly - Alice Munro has been on my list of authors to try for ages. I thought her recent Nobel Prize would make my book club more likely to go for it. We'll see...

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