Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Tuesday Intros -- The Miniaturist

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea hosts a weekly meme in which book lovers share the opening paragraph (sometimes two) of a book they've started to read or are thinking about reading soon. As readers, we often make our decision to continue with a book based on the opening lines.

So here is the book I have just started reading . . .

Here is the opening paragraph of Jessie Burton's The Miniaturist, a novel set in 17th century Amsterdam:

The funeral is supposed to be a quiet affair, for the deceased had no friends. But words are water in Amsterdam, they flood your ears and set the rot, and the church's east corner is crowded. She watches the scene unfold from the safety of the choir stall, as guildsmen and their wives approach the gaping grave like ants toward the honey. Soon, they are joined by VOC [NOTE: Dutch East India Company] clerks and ships' captains, regentesses, pastry makers--and him, still wearing that broad-brimmed hat. She tries to pity him. Pity, unlike hate, can be boxed and put away.

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

18 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this excerpt. I have an ARC of this book that I didn't really have a chance to look at yet--but now I'll be moving it closer to the top of the pile.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, if you have an ARC, I would say go for it! I'm about 10% in, and it's off to a great start.

      Delete
  2. Wow! I am definitely intrigued...what an interesting set up...and what a great cover! Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love this opening... I am definitely intrigued! Can't wait to hear more.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm curious about the title, and the opening definitely made me want to know more. I'm wondering about the man in the broad-brimmed hat too!
    My Tuesday post features The Gods of Second Chances.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the cover! This one is on my list, but I haven't had time to read it yet. Sounds like maybe I should get to it!
    Today I'm featuring The Girl Who Came Home.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very intriguing opening. What's he done that she wants to box away her feelings about him, I wonder.

    Mine is at http://suziequint.blogspot.com/2014/09/tuesday-teaserfirst-paragraph-eighty.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the cover and the synopsis for this book. I added it to my wishlist a week ago after a friend of mine rated it 5 stars. Thanks for sharing the intro - it has made me want to read it even more. Love the writing style. Here's my intro for the week.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've seen this one around a lot lately, but the intro didn't really grab me. Would be interested to hear your thoughts.

    Here's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-back-channel-stephen-l-carter/

    ReplyDelete
  9. This beginning is really interesting and I've been wanting to pick this book up for ages. And since it's set in my homeland it feels quite natural at well! Thanks for sharing :) hope you have a great week!
    My Tuesday post
    Juli @ Universe in Words

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think you'd want to read it especially, given the setting! So far, I'm captivated by it!

      Delete
  10. I have a copy of this I've been itching to get to and reading the intro here made me even more excited. I hope you stick with it and end up loving it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the intro and now I'm left curious for more.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very good beginning. I also like the title and the cover.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would need to read a bit more. The cover is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm interested, I'd like to see how this plays out. Enjoy your book. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for your comments, fellow book lovers! I enjoyed participating in "Tuesday Intros" for the first time this week.

    ReplyDelete