6.29.2012

Book Beginnings - Pierre and Jean and Selected Short Stories


Book Beginnings is a meme hosted by Rose City Reader. Share the first sentence (or so) of a book you are currently reading, along with your initial thoughts and impressions about the sentence or book. Remember to include the title of the book and the author AND link up at the Rose City Reader


"Damn it!" Monsieur Roland exclaimed abruptly. He had been sitting motionless for a quarter of an hour, with his eyes fixed on the water, occasionally giving a gentle tug on the line he had dropped deep into the sea. 
I like the beginning. I'd say its a fairly common reaction when people go fishing and don't get any bites...I always throw the fish I catch back in...I caught a turtle once. It was really heavy. Anyways, I've read three stories and am two-thirds through. What I've read so far has been very interesting. Maupassant has good ideas and the translated version I'm reading is great. I'm looking forward to one story in particular, Le Horla.


14 comments:

  1. Yes, not an uncommon reaction when fishing! I have no experience of Maupassant. I'd be interested to see your review.

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    1. A favorite English professor mentioned him a few years ago, and I'm just know reading his stuff.

      Thanks for visiting.

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  2. I love the cover, I haven't read anything by Maupassant yet! And it does seem a very human response, which is nice. At least you can relate to the characters! Thanks for sharing!
    My FF
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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    1. Yeah, the characters in all the stories I've read so far are easy to relate to in some way or another...a decent array of human emotions.

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  3. It's especially bad when you feel a tug and reel in the line only to find your bait missing. I never read Maupassant, so I'm curious to hear what you think.

    Here's my Book Beginnings.

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    1. haha. when the fish makes a fool of the fisherman.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Nice cover. I have never read anything by Maupassant but have always been meaning to...

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    1. I think many people would like the selected short stories in this book. The good thing about short stories is they're sort of non-committal.

      Thanks for visiting.

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  5. Ohhh French writers is another one of my obsessive phases (along with Indian/Asian writers - see Juli's blog comments from above). But have yet to read anything by Maupassant - according to wiki he is considered the father of the short story!

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    1. Based solely on what I've read, he certainly seems like he was a great writer of short stories. I haven't really looked into his other stuff yet, but that's quite a title.

      Thanks for commenting. Its very much appreciated.

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  6. Motionless for 15 minutes! Another reason why I read while my DH fishes. Nice reading selection!

    :)

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  7. gotta say that i haven't cracked open any de Maupassant's work since uni days! oh and that photo of the melting ice cream truck - i commiserate - how crazy hot it is!

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    1. I really like his stories. I wish I had read him earlier. And yes--crazy hot!

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