My favorite start to a book ever has to be the Prologue to The Canning Season, by Polly Horvath, which I just started today. Not because the main character's name is Ratchet Ratchet Clark. Not because it includes skull-boring insects, hurling placenta, Salisbury Steak, and the Pensacola Hunt Club. Not even because of the image of Ratchet's mother sliding down her hospital sheets and almost out the window. No, the reason is because after all of this fun, the beginning of the book is thrown upon us the same way it's thrown upon Ratchet. Her mother has this wonderful monologue describing how Ratchet got her name. Then the monologue ends:
"... and that's how you became Ratchet Ratchet Clark. Oh, and by the way, you're going to Maine tonight."
Genius. I can't wait to read the rest.
What book has your favorite first chapter?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Favorite Beginning of a Book
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3 comments:
I avoided commenting on this because I couldn't think of anything to say -- a first chapter that really stands out to me ... hmm ...
Today, two hit me, for very different reasons:
"An Unexpected Party," Chapter One of The Hobbit: "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." Are you kidding? He first describes the hole, leaving you wondering what a hobbit is, and by chapter's end, the hole contains a wizard, numerous dwarves, a dragon in its mountain lair and more dirty dishes than anyone should be subjected to ...
"Older People in Cars," Chapter One of Clyde Edgerton's Lunch at the Piccadilly. It's not mind-blowing -- but it sets the stage perfectly for the warmth, humanity, humor, and sweet tragedies of aging and loving. The tone, the details -- all perfect, in my mind. The book is a quick read, and lovely start to finish.
Ooh. Will have to check out Lunch at the Piccadilly.
The Hobbit, though, yes. Good one.
You can read L.a.t.P. in a day as respite from your 15 classics ...
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