pagesofjulia

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.

A historical novel for you today, to start the new year, with quite a bit of style to it and with Geoffrey Chaucer taking a role somewhere between costar and sideline. It begins:

Under a clouded moon Agnes huddles in a sliver of utter darkness and watches him, this dark-cloaked man, as he questions the girl by the dying fire. At first he is kind seeming, almost gentle with her. They speak something like French: not the flavor of Stratford-at-Bowe nor of Paris, but a deep and throated tongue, tinged with the south. Olives and figs in his voice, the embrace of a warmer sea.

I enjoy the olives, figs, and warm ocean water in this man’s voice, and am immediately intrigued. Stay tuned. Happy new year and Happy Friday, kids!

This quotation comes from an uncorrected advance proof and is subject to change.

Filed under: book beginnings | Tagged: historical fiction |