Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Tuesday Intros -- Juliet's Nurse

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea hosts a weekly meme in which book lovers share the opening paragraph (or sometimes two) of a book they've started to read or are thinking about reading soon. As readers, we form our first impressions of a book from the opening lines, and a good beginning paragraph can captivate us and draw us deeply into a book right from the start.

This is the book I am currently reading . . .

Juliet's Nurse by Lois Leveen, set in 14th century Verona, tells the story of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet from the perspective of Juliet's nurse Angelica. The novel, published by Simon & Schuster, will be released on September 23rd.

Here are the opening two paragraphs of Juliet's Nurse:

Two nights before Lammas Eve, I go to bed believing myself fat and happy. You will think me a fool for being so deceived, at my age. But in our hearts, we all wish to be fooled. And so we make fools of ourselves.

For months, Pietro and I have finished dinner with a sampling of his latest confections: candied cherries, quince marmalade, muscatel-stewed figs. Though he still cannot afford sugar, Pietro's begun gathering honey from hives in the groves and fields beyond Verona's walls. This frightens me, for I was badly stung as a child. My face swelled so large, villagers crossed themselves when they passed me, as though I was a changeling. But whenever Pietro returns from his hives he hums like he's a bee himself, insisting this will be his good fortune at last. With the honey, he can make, if not the bright, hard, confetti candy the apothecaries offer, at least such treats as we might sell ourselves.

What do you think? Are you interested, and would you keep reading?

13 comments:

  1. What a beautifully written intro. It would certainly make me want to read more. ENjoy and thank you for joining us this week.

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  2. The blurb didn't really grab me, but I did like the writing in the intro. Hope you enjoy it!

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  3. Oh, I had forgotten about this one. It's in stack to read. Looks like it will be good.

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  4. Lyrical prose that made me want to read more...thanks for sharing. Here's mine: “THEN AND ALWAYS”

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  5. Love the description: humming like he's a bee himself. Yes, I'd read more.
    Here's the link to my Tuesday post: Retirement Can Be Murder.

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  6. I love retellings from another character's perspective.
    Here's mine http://suziequint.blogspot.com/2014/09/tuesday-teaserfirst-paragraph-governess.html

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  7. Oh yes, I love the writing style. I like the viewpoint, Juliet's nurse. It seems like an exciting book.

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  8. Yes, I like the sounds of this one too!. Looks like my TBR list will grow by leaps and bounds this fall! Thanks for featuring this one.

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  9. How interesting! I would keep reading based on the intro and blurb. It'd be interesting to get a different perspective on Romeo and Juliet. :-)

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  10. This one sounds good...and I love the cover! I'm in for this one! Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Thanks so much for stopping by . . . I enjoy reading everyone's Tuesday Intros and Teasers!

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  12. What an interesting take on an 'old' story, I think I would enjoy this. Reminds me of a book I read which was from the perspective of the maid in Pride & Prejudice.
    The Pegster Reads

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  13. I was captivated at the cover and the beginning was very good. I'd like to read this one. Thanks for sharing

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