Tuesday, August 16, 2011

First Paragraph Tuesday -- The Way


Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the first paragraph of her current read. Anyone can join in. Go to Diane's website for the image and share the first paragraph of the current book you are reading.
This is a book I haven't started, so I'm reading the first paragraph with you. It's called The Way and is written by Kristen Wolf. The description of the book says Anna is a tomboy who has an adrogynous appearance and, after a tragedy, her father ends up disguising her as a boy. She is sold to a some shepherds then captured by "a mystical secret society of women hiding in the desert." There she learns "the way" of healing abilities. The first paragraph says it is set in a village near ancient Palestine in 7 A.D.
"Be a good girl and cover your face," her mother counseled.
Anna draped a shawl over her head and bound it halfway up her cheeks. She watched her mother arrange bowls of dates, cheese, and olives on a tray. She then placed a pitcher of milk among the bowls and capped it with a square of linen. As her mother did these things, her hands came to rest on her swollen belly then flew off, repeatedly, like frightened doves.
"Hurry to Grandfather and be home before morning meal," she said. She lowered the tray into her seven-year-old's waiting hands. She pulled back the camelskin hide that hung across the front door. Anna's head brushed the underside of her mother's belly as she slipped around her and stepped, blinking into the light.

What do you think? Are you intrigued?

4 comments:

Nise' said...

Yes, I am intrigued. Look forward to your thoughts.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

This is a very intriguing intro. You find great books, I've never heard of -- hope u love it.

Linda said...

Sounds interesting to me.

Monica Downs said...

Yes I am intrigued! And I just saw this book in Oprah's Magazine this month. It's a selection for September. Seems like a story whose time has come! - Monica

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