2.01.2013

Book Beginnings - Love in the Time of Cholera


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

It was inevitable: the scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love.
::sigh:: I do not like this beginning...not even a little. And I know it has everything to do with my preconceived notions of Garcia Marquez's writing and translations of his work...well not really preconceived--I know his style, I've read plenty of Edith Grossman's translations and it irks me at times, but he can tell a good story. One Hundred Years of Solitude is fantastic, Of Love and other Demons, not so much. But I feel this weird obligation to read his books, so here I am...reading this book. It also fits perfectly into the Monthly Keyword Challenge I'm participating in. February is pick a book with 'love' or 'heart etc, in the title.

What exactly do bitter almonds smell like? Raw almonds are virtually odorless...burnt almonds smell burnt. Almond oil smells delicious. I'm having a hard time with this one...or is just that the fate of unrequited love is bitter?   

9 comments:

  1. I am hesitant to read this one lest the style be irksome to me, too...lol

    But thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I started reading this book but put it aside. Must not have been in the mood! I'll give it a try again.
    Today I'm featuring LOVE AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm still not really in the mood to read it...but I'll try.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. I quite like that start - dripping with melancholy and loss on every word!
    I believe that bitter almonds are the ones that contain cyanide (like the seed of the apricot). Weeat the sweet almonds. Traditionally the bitter almonds were used medicinally and they could kill you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that crazy?! I looked it up and then it made sense with what happened on the next few pages...but I still don't like the start, haha.

      Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  4. I like that sentence...thanks.

    BEAUTIFUL BLOG....NEW FOLLOWER.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Book Beginnings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'll be sure to swing by your book beginning.

      Delete
  5. Yup, a sign of cyanide poisoning! You need to read on! :)

    Here's mine

    ReplyDelete