Friday, June 22, 2012

Book Beginnings & Friday 56: The Absolutist



Book Beginnings on Fridays is a meme hosted by Rose City Reader.  The object 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.

Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice - Turn to page 56, pick a sentence, and post it.  Simple as that!!!  

The Absolutist by John Boyne
Publisher:  by Other Press
Publication Date:  July 10th 2012
ISBN:  1590515528
Book Synopsis:  A masterfully told tale of passion, jealousy, heroism and betrayal set in the gruesome trenches of World War I.

It is September 1919: twenty-one-year-old Tristan Sadler takes a train from London to Norwich to deliver a package of letters to the sister of Will Bancroft, the man he fought alongside during the Great War. 

But the letters are not the real reason for Tristan's visit. He can no longer keep a secret and has finally found the courage to unburden himself of it. As Tristan recounts the horrific details of what to him became a senseless war, he also speaks of his friendship with Will--from their first meeting on the training grounds at Aldershot to their farewell in the trenches of northern France. The intensity of their bond brought Tristan happiness and self-discovery as well as confusion and unbearable pain.

The Absolutist is a masterful tale of passion, jealousy, heroism, and betrayal set in one of the most gruesome trenches of France during World War I. This novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats until its most extraordinary and unexpected conclusion, and will stay with them long after they've turned the last page.
The Beginning: 
Seated opposite me in the railway carriage, the elderly lady in the fox-fur shawl was recalling some of the murders that she had committed over the years.
My First Impression: 
This sounds so harsh!  But the last sentence of the synopsis really grabs me:  "This novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats until its most extraordinary and unexpected conclusion, and will stay with them long after they've turned the last page."  I just have to read it to get to the conclusion!!!  I do have a general idea of what the novel is about, but don't want to give away any spoilers on this one!!!
Friday 56: 
I don't think anything of it.  What am I supposed to think?  I know that men die - their numbers are reported in the newspapers every day.

12 comments:

  1. Wow! That's definitely a way to start a story to get your attention! You'd have to hope she's delusional and not actually a murderer!

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  2. Agree with Lauren, it immediately confronts you as a reader! Also in contrast to the Friday 56 which seems very cold! It sounds very interesting though, thanks for sharing! I'm a new follower! Hop on over if you have the time:
    http://universeinwords.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/fridays-angels.html
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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  3. Yes, that's a perfect example of how people are not what they appear...thanks for sharing.

    Here's MY FRIDAY MEMES POST

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  4. Sounds like a great book, but after reading An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd about WWI, I think I will pass on this one for now. Too depressing by far!

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  5. Intriguing beginning - makes me wonder just what or who the woman has killed. Good choice for Book Beginnings and Friday 56.

    Here's my Friday Meme Post

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  6. Sad 56, but true too. Bet it's an emotional read!

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  7. That's quite an opening. I wonder why the man would be listening to her tell about murders she has committed.

    Here's my Book Beginnings.

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  8. Now that is an intriguing opening. I want to know more about this elderly lady who talks so openly about murder.

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  9. That is a great, great beginning! Love it. I may have to abandon my moratorium on WWI books to read more of this one.

    Thanks for participating in Book Beginnings!

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  10. Wow...that sounds like a really intriguing book. I'm going to have to read a little more about it.

    Here's my Book Beginnings.

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  11. I'm putting this on my TBR! I am assuming this is the same John Boyne who wrote Boy in the Striped Pajamas!

    http://guiltlessreading.blogspot.ca/2012/06/friday-56-book-beginnings-fish-tank.html

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  12. The first sentence says a lot and I can picture her already! I should check out this Book Beginnings thing - looks like fun!

    p.s. There's a little award waiting for you at my blog, if you have time. :-)

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