Thanks to Rose City Reader for hosting this meme. To participate, share the first line or two of the book you are currently reading and, if you feel so moved, let us know what your first impressions were based on that first line.
I’ve been waiting for some time to get around to this one, and I love the mood and foreboding atmosphere established in the opening pages.
The train tore along with an angry, irregular rhythm. It was having to stop at smaller and more frequent stations, where it would wait impatiently for a moment, then attack the prairie again. But progress was imperceptible.
The personification of the train is very effective. Angry, impatient, attacking. Good stuff!
Filed under: book beginnings | Tagged: misc fiction |
pagesofjulia 
Makes me think the story will be like the train. Here is my post:
BBF
I believe you are right, Jo!
Patricia Highsmith is a great author and I love this opening! I haven’t read ‘Strangers on a Train’ but do really want to! Thanks for sharing! 🙂 Hop on over to My Friday Post if you have the time!
Juli @ Universe in Words
I think this was her debut – and certainly one of her more talked-about.
I recently watched the Hitchcock movie — one of those I assumed I’d seen before but hadn’t. It was great! It would be very interesting to read the book.
Thanks for participating in Book Beginnings!
Ohhh, I think it would make a good movie. And Hitchcock – of course! Maybe I’ll keep my eyes out for that.
And thanks for hosting!
Yes, very good personification! I just finished a short story collection by Highsmith the first I’d ever read anything by her. Now I want to read this one–I’ve known about it (and the movie) for a long time…
Here’s my Friday Post
This is the second reference to Highsmith and Strangers on the Train for me this week…seems like it’s time for me to check her out.
Isn’t it funny how that works out?
I am going to read my first Highsmith soon. I don’t usually like crime novels, but since I saw the movie version (yes, that one) I figure it might help me get into this one. I can just imagine Matt Damon.
Cool! I think it might appeal to you some in its atmospheric nature.