Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Tuesday Intro: Emily, Alone


"Tuesdays, Emily Maxwell put what precious little remained of her life in God's and her sister-in-law Arlene's shaky hands and they drove together to Edgewood for Eat 'n Park's two-for-one breakfast buffet. The Sunday Post-Gazette, among its myriad other pleasures, had coupons. The rest of the week she might have nothing but melba toast and tea for breakfast, maybe peel herself a clementine for some vitamin C, but the deal was too good to pass up, and served as a built-in excuse to get out of the house. Dr. Sayid was always saying she needed to eat more.
It wasn't far -- a few miles though East Liberty and Point Breeze and Regent Square on broad streets they knew like old friends -- but the trip was a test of Emily's nerves. Arlene's eyes weren't the best, and her attention to the outside world was directly affected by whatever conversation they were engaged in. When she concentrated on a thought, she drove more slowly, making them the object of honking, and once, recently, from a middle-aged woman who looked surprisingly like Emily's daughter Margaret, the finger."

Emily, Alone
by Stewart O'Nan

I finished Stewart O'Nan's Wish You Were Here yesterday and immediately moved on to it's sequel Emily, Alone. After just a few pages, I can tell it's another winner. Have you read O'Nan? Would you continue reading this based on the opening paragraphs?

Tuesday Intros is hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea. Find more intros here.


13 comments:

  1. It's not fair of me to answer, since I've already read and loved both of those books. :-) I love O'Nan's work. Last Night at the Lobster is one of my all-time favorites.

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  2. JoAnn, I liked this book a lot (audio); the intro is terrific. I also liked Wish You Were Here. O'Nan has a new one coming out in january called: THE ODDS.

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  3. Have never read him, but yes, I would!

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  4. I read Songs for the Missing and was very impressed with him as a writer, so yes, I would read this!

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  5. I picked this one up at the library, but when I learned it was a sequel, I put it back, knowing I'd have to read the first book.

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  6. Oh, such a great book!! I want to read the 'Lobster' book next.

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  7. I've never read anything by O'Nan. I'm not sure if I would or not based on this beginning. It seems sad somehow.

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  8. Amy - Last Night at the Lobster will be my next O'Nan novel!

    Diane - Can't believe I've waited this long to read O'Nan. Glad to hear there will be a new title soon!

    Audrey - He's been on my 'authors to read' list for years!

    Rhapsodyinbooks - One more for my growing list!

    Nise' - I did the same thing! Just finished Wish You Were Here and will post the review tomorrow.

    Nan - You got me started on O'Nan. Will post my review of Wish You Were Here tomorrow...I'm loving this one so far.

    Carol - I have a feeling this will be another quieter book... mostly a character study.

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  9. I haven't read these, but love the intro!

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  10. O'Nan is one of my favorite writers. I adored Emily Alone.

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  11. I haven't read this author but I think Nan reviewed this one too and loved it. I will have to make a point to try to read some of his books.

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  12. This looks good. I haven't read anything by him so it looks like I'd better catch up.

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  13. Vicki - Stewart O'Nan has become a new favorite. Hope you get to read him soon.

    Lee - I can certainly see why! I'll definitely be reading more of O'Nan's work.

    Staci - Nan got me started on O'Nan. I loved her review of this book, so read Wish You Were Here first. My review of that one will be up in the morning.

    Paulita - O'Nan is a wonderful writer. I hope you get to read one of his novels soon.

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