Book Reviews

‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Friday 5 July 2013

Book Beginnings (3)



Gilion at Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Fridays

The idea, as stated on the host's blog, is 'to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.' There's a hash tag #BookBeginnings for twitter etc too, and a master linky list on the host's blog. I've got a couple of books on the go at the moment so I've just picked one out to mention here.


My Book Beginning




The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett (Alma Books)



Hay-on-Wye, Wales, Wednesday, 15th February 1995

'Wales could be cold in February. Even without snow or wind the damp winter air permeated Peter's topcoat and settled in his bones as he stood outside one of the dozens of bookshops that crowded the narrow streets of Hay. Despite the warm glow in the window that illuminated a tantalizing display of Victorian novels, Peter was in no hurry to open the door. It had been nine months since he had entered a bookshop; another few minutes wouldn't make a difference.'




I like this opening; I can feel the cold and imagine this man stood on one of the streets in Hay. A wonderful place for a booklover, so a very alluring setting for a novel, and we have intrigue straight away as to why this man hasn't been in a bookshop for so long. I'm really looking forward to reading more of this novel. 




The synopsis from the Alma Books website:


After the death of his wife, Peter Byerly, a young antiquarian bookseller, relocates from the States to the English countryside, where he hopes to rediscover the joys of life through his passion for collecting and restoring rare books. But when he opens an eighteenth-century study on Shakespeare forgeries, he is shocked to find a Victorian portrait strikingly similar to his wife tumble out of its pages, and becomes obsessed with tracking down its origins. As he follows the trail back to the nineteenth century and then to Shakespeare’s time, Peter learns the truth about his own past and unearths a book that might prove that Shakespeare was indeed the author of all his plays.


Guaranteed to capture the hearts of everyone who truly loves books and literature – in particular the golden age of Shakespeare, Jonson and Marlowe – The Bookman’s Tale is a sparkling novel and an engrossing exploration of one of literature’s most tantalizing mysteries.


18 comments:

  1. This certainly looks like a book I would enjoy. I like the opening too - and Wales can be very wet and cold at any time - or so I've found.

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    1. Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you liked the opening of this one.

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  2. This one is on my TBR list. I had featured it on my blog in a Waiting on Wednesday post before it was available. Hope you enjoy it!

    Here's my Friday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2013/07/friday-focus-friday-56-and-book.html

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    1. Thanks for commenting Catherine. I hope you'll enjoy this one too.

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  3. This sounds like a wonderful novel! I am adding it to my To Read list. Have a great weekend!
    Happy Reading,
    Rebecca @ The Key to the Gate

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    1. Thanks for commenting Rebecca! I hope you've had a good weekend and I'm glad you like the sound of this one.

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  4. A great opening sentence, made all the better in that it takes places just days after my birthday.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Tracy! It's striking isn't it. Always nice when a date resonates with us too.

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  5. Ooh, I love the sound of this one...I adore bookshops and collecting. And the setting sounds so lovely.

    Thanks for sharing...and here's MY FRIDAY MEMES POST

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    1. Thanks for commenting Laurel-Rain! I'm glad you like this one.

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  6. Love the beginning and I love any book set in the British Isles.

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    1. Thanks for your comment! Glad this appeals to you.

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  7. Hi Lindsay, I’m so glad you told us about this one. I collect/sell books. I love Hay, and I just HAVE to read it!

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    1. Hi Barbara, I hope you're well, thanks for visiting! Sounds very up your street then!

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  8. I have this one on my to-buy list, although I can't understand ANY hesitation in entering a bookstore! LOL!

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    1. I know Julie, surprising isn't it! There is a reason to be revealed in the story I feel! Thanks for commenting!

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  9. I loved this book Lindsay. Great Book Beginning.

    I am impressed with this Book Beginning idea - Jaffa and I are going to give it a try !

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    1. I am glad you're joining in too Josie! Look forward to your picks.

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