Today I thought I would share a little about my most recent book read, Lazaretto by Diane McKinney-Whetstone, set in Post-Civil War Philadelphia.
Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.
The dimly lit room smelled of sage and mint and boiled cotton. A lone candle high on a whitewashed mantel threw off just enough light to illuminate a space on the wall above it where a picture of Abraham Lincoln hung. The sight of him with his top hat and wry smile seemed to calm Meda as she pushed and moaned, her legs spread wide apart. Fourteen-year-old Sylvia gently slid her hands between Meda's legs into what felt to Sylvia like the center of a volcano.
Teaser from 21% of Lazaretto:
"You always hold on to this, you hear me?" Meda said, as she thumped Linc's forearm. "The ugly is in her, not you. Never let another make you feel shame when the shame is their own for judging you with no eye trained on justice."
What do you think? Would you keep reading?
© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I love the teaser! It's true, judging someone often reveals a lot about the person doing the judging.
ReplyDeleteEustacia - I liked it too. There were a couple others along similar lines that I really liked as well, but I decided just to use the one.
DeleteInteresting title - which genre is it? Here's mine: http://earthianhivemind.net/2016/11/22/teaser-tuesday-november-22/
ReplyDeleteStephen - Lazaretto is the name of the oldest quarantine facility in the U.S. It was often used for immigrants coming in to make sure they were clear of illness before entering Philadelphia. The novel is partially set there, hence the title. It's a historical fiction novel.
DeleteI would keep reading, yes! Interesting teaser.
ReplyDeleteMy teaser for the week.
Majanka - I enjoyed it quite a bit, although felt the ending was too abrupt. Still wroth reading though. :-)
DeleteI liked the sound of the teaser - the opening chapter... not so much. By the way - it might just be me, but the link attached to your profile pic that comes up on my site takes me to a Toytales blog - thought you should know. This is my TT - https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/11/22/teaser-tuesday-22nd-november-2016/
ReplyDeleteSarah - Alone, the opening paragraph doesn't sound like much, I suppose, but it's quite an intense scene as Meda gives birth and the events to immediately follow.
DeleteSarah - I checked the link you mentioned and it took me to my Gravator page with a link to this blog. I am not sure why you were sent to ToyTales. That's an older blog I used to participate in years ago, but it is associated with my WP account. Maybe I'll have to have my husband see what he sees from his computer. Thanks for letting me know!
DeleteI think I'd keep reading that! I'm reading A Boy Called Christmas - it's very sweet and fun!
ReplyDeleteKathy - It was a good one and I think you might like it! A Boy Called Christmas sounds wonderful. I really need to dive into my Christmas reads soon.
DeleteFascinating excerpts. I do want to know more, now. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain - I love historical fiction and don't often read it from this time period in the U.S. I enjoyed this one.
DeleteI think I would read on - it looks an interesting book. I'm currently reading Kate Atkinson's A God in Ruins and finding it a bit slow to get going, so many characters to get to know!
ReplyDeleteMargaret - I thought it was interesting, especially given the time period.
DeleteI haven't read but one Kate Atkinson novel, but I did really enjoy it. I haven't read A God in Ruins though.
I haven't heard of this one, but it looks tempting!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn - It was good!
DeleteNice teasers. My teaser this week is from one of my favorite authors - When All the Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - Thank you! I enjoyed the book. :-)
DeleteOh yes I like those excerpts very much indeed - I want to know more now!
ReplyDeleteCleo - I thought it was good--you get to follow the lives of several different characters during that time period, and each one is work knowing.
DeleteWhat does boiled cotton smell like? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteAlice - I haven't a clue. I imagine it was a common practice to boil towels and clothes back in that day though to ensure they were clean for childbirth.
DeleteNot a book I can see myself reading. Alas you lost me after the lone candle.
ReplyDeleteNow you have me wondering Alice, what does boiled cotton smell of? Perhaps just like any other freshly washed laundry?
Tracy - Considering it was a backdoor clinic (if you can even call it that) in 1865, they were probably lucky to have that lone candle.
DeleteI like both the opening paragraph and the teaser. I'm interested in knowing more. I'd read on.
ReplyDeleteMargot - I thought this was a good novel. It was my first by McKinney-Whetsone. I do wish the ending hadn't been so abrupt though.
DeleteIt doesn't sound like my kind of book. I hope you enjoy it. GIrl Who Reads
ReplyDeleteDonna - Historical fiction isn't for everyone. :-) I enjoyed it at least.
DeleteI didn't know anything about this book but I like historical fiction and I don't read enough American HF. Thanks for the tip-- going on my wishlist!
ReplyDeleteRita - I hope to post my review soon. I did have some issues with it, but ultimately I really liked it. Whenever I read historical fiction, I always wonder why I don't read more of it. I hope you enjoy this one if you give it a try.
DeleteUmm, not for me. Hope you enjoy it though :-)
ReplyDeleteSuzanna - I thought it was good. I really like historical fiction though.
DeleteI want to get to this one. It has been sitting on the shelf for too long. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteNise' - I am glad to hear you will be reading this one too! I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
DeleteSounds like a hot one. A bit of wry humor too with the pic of Abraham Lincoln. Thanks for visiting my blog. Here's Mine
ReplyDeletePaulita - I'm not sure "hot" is the word I would use to describe it myself, but I guess that depends on your definition of "hot".
DeleteSorry I'm a little late responding but this has been a stressful week with testing and doctor appointments.
ReplyDeleteI love the intro and would like to know more.
I hope you and your family have a special Thanksgiving.
Diane - I hope the Thanksgiving Holiday gives you some respite from the stress this week. Thinking of you and sending hugs.
DeleteI bet this is an interesting read! As much as I enjoy historical fiction I don't tend to read a lot of American historical fiction. Would like to read more for sure!
ReplyDeleteIliana - You are more likely to find me in England or Europe during the time period Lazaretto is set in, admittedly. I hope to post my review of this one next week.
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