Welcome to a potpourri of fun today as we share Book Beginnings, hosted by A Few More Pages; and as we showcase The Friday 56 with Freda’s Voice.
To join in, just grab a book and share the opening lines…along with any thoughts you wish to give us; then turn to page 56 and excerpt anything on the page.
Then give us the title of the book, so others can add it to their lists!
Today, I’m excerpting from a book from next week’s stack.
Atonement, by Ian McEwan, has been on my stacks for awhile. It is a story about lies, betrayals, and consequences that unfold over a very long time.
The novel opens on a sweltering summer day in 1935 at the Tallis family’s mansion in the Surrey countryside. Thirteen-year-old Briony has written a play in honor of the visit of her adored older brother Leon; other guests include her three young cousins — refugees from their parent’s marital breakup — Leon’s friend Paul Marshall, the manufacturer of a chocolate bar called “Amo” that soldiers will be able to carry into war, and Robbie Turner, the son of the family charlady whose brilliantly successful college career has been funded by Mr. Tallis. Jack Tallis is absent from the gathering; he spends most of his time in London at the War Ministry and with his mistress. His wife Emily is a semi-invalid, nursing chronic migraine headaches. Their elder daughter Cecilia is also present; she has just graduated from Cambridge and is at home for the summer, restless and yearning for her life to really begin. Rehearsals for Briony’s play aren’t going well; her cousin Lola has stolen the starring role, the twin boys can’t speak the lines properly, and Briony suddenly realizes that her destiny is to be a novelist, not a dramatist.
In the midst of the long hot afternoon, Briony happens to be watching from a window when Cecilia strips off her clothes and plunges into the fountain on the lawn as Robbie looks on. Later that evening, Briony thinks she sees Robbie attacking Cecilia in the library, she reads a note meant for Cecilia, her cousin Lola is sexually assaulted, and she makes an accusation that she will repent for the rest of her life….
***
Beginning: The play—for which Briony had designed the posters, programs and tickets, constructed the sales booth out of a folding screen tipped on its side, and lined the collection box in red crepe paper—was written by her in a two-day tempest of composition, causing her to miss a breakfast and a lunch.
A very intense opener….I’m exhausted just imagining this flurry of activity.
***
P. 56: To steady herself, Lola put her hands on her hips. Her heart was beating painfully hard and she could not trust herself to speak, even though she knew she had to.
***
I’m in for an intense read with this one. What have the rest of you excerpted? I hope you’ll come on by and share….
Oh my, this does sound intense. To hear of Emily having chronic migraine headaches, I don’t like to see people suffer or getting hurt. I do love the cover art on this one. Both have such penetrating thoughts on their faces. Looks like a good read!
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Thanks, Lady D…I saw this movie a couple of years ago, but I’m looking forward to the read. Glad you could stop by.
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I saw this movie a few years ago… good stuff.
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Yes, I agree, Freda…thanks for stopping by!
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I just finished Defending Jacob…I need a mindless break after this fabulous book.
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Oh, yes, mindless breaks are good. I read a Danielle Steel book earlier this week for that purpose. Thanks for visiting, Patty, and enjoy whatever book you choose.
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This does sound intense. I saw the movie a couple of years ago and it was a very bittersweet almost sad story.
My Friday 56 – http://tinyurl.com/7avpkwn
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I agree about the movie, Marie…I think I’m going to enjoy the book, too. Thanks for stopping by.
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I really like this book and thought the movie was one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I had ever seen! Hop on over if you have the time:
http://universeinwords.blogspot.com/2012/01/last-friday-of-january.html
Juli @ Universe in Words
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I liked the movie, too, Juli…and I hope to enjoy the book. Thanks for stopping by….
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I loved this book. Those two snippet brought it back fresh. Great book.
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I’m looking forward to it, Rose City Reader…thanks for stopping by.
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I liked the movie. Mine is also from a book that was made into a movie. Here is mine http://srivallip.blogspot.com/2012/01/friday-memes_27.html
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I love books into movies….I’m planning on seeing a movie this weekend that was made from a book (One for the Money). Thanks for stopping by, Srivalli.
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This does sound like it will be an intense read. I hope you enjoy it when it reaches the top of the stack. Happy reading and thanks for visiting my blog.
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Oh, I hope so, too, Kathy….thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your reads.
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I loved both the novel and the movie. I hope you enjoy reading the book. Have a good weekend.
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I know I’m going to love the book…I thoroughly enjoyed the movie! Maybe “enjoyed” is the wrong word, but it was definitely memorable and emotional. Thanks for stopping by, Linda P.
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I loved this book too! It is very intense, but a great read. Enjoy! Here is my F56: http://pamelasbookspot.blogspot.com/2012/01/friday-56_27.html
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I know the movie was intense, so I’m expecting the book to be as well. Can’t wait to dive in! Thanks for stopping by, Pamela.
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Fabulous story and such an incredible movie 🙂 Thanks for reminding me of McGregor’s wonderful writing.
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I read another book by this author recently (On Chesil Beach) and have Amsterdam on my Kindle. Can’t wait to see how this one compares to the movie.
Thanks for stopping by, Aloi.
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Very strong beginning to a and it sounds like it was also a movie.
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Yes, and I try to read the book before seeing the movie, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way….
Thanks for stopping by, Jo, and enjoy your read.
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Hi! Thanks for the visit to my blog!
Intriguing ‘Friday 56’.
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You’re welcome, wuthering willow…hope you have a great weekend.
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