Tuesday, January 15, 2013

First Paragraph, Tuesday Teaser -- The Flaneur

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.
As I start back to teaching classes today, this little book is perfect to put in my bookbag in case I have spare time to read and want to escape to Paris with The Flaneur: A Stroll through the Paradoxes of Paris by Edmund White. I love the cover with the photo of the fountain (is that Luxemburg Gardens?) and the drawings of the chairs. I can feel those chairs waiting for the Parisians who will fill them on the first sunny day. Here's the intro:
Paris is a big city, in the sense that London and New York are big cities and that Rome is a village, Los Angeles a collection of villages and Zurich a backwater.

If I didn't already want to read this book, the intro would not lure me.

Also this week is Teaser Tuesdays. Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Open to a random page of your current read and share a teaser sentence from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.
Here's my teaser from page 34:
Paris is a world meant to be seen by the walker alone, for only the pace of strolling can take in all the rich (if muted) detail. The loiterer, the flaneur, has a long distinguished pedigree in France.
I'm looking forward to this stroll through Paris, since I can't visit in person until I finish sending my kids to college.

11 comments:

Vanessa said...

I would love to take a stroll through Paris, but this book doesn't really pull me in. Thanks for sharing, though :)

My teaser this week is from Chinese Cinderella.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I'd have to read a bit more, but I'm sure people who love Paris will love this one.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I would read it because it's about Paris...and I do like how he characterized the other cities...especially that LA is a collection of villages.

Here's MY TUESDAY MEMES POST

Trish said...

I do love all things Paris, but you're right, the intro isn't very compelling. I'd probably have to know more.

Trish said...

i've been to paris and i agree with this statement! i'd choose to it again...over and over and over again!

Trish - My Teaser

Nise' said...

Enjoy your stroll through Paris!

Sandra Nachlinger said...

I've always wanted to spend time in Paris. This book sounds like one way to experience the city until I'm able to go in person. Love your teaser.
My Teaser is from THE STORYTELLER.

Staci said...

I hope you enjoy it!

Margot said...

Although I've never been to Paris, the idea of reading about it makes me think of a combination of adventure and romance. Enjoy the trip.

Linda said...

I read this a few years ago. It's really good.

Unknown said...

Makes me want to go to Paris ~ beautiful teaser :) Thanks for stopping by mine :)

Keely @ Realms of an Open Mind

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