It's time for Diane's Tuesday Intros where we post the opening lines of a book of our choice.
Anita Brookner died last week and I have been interested to read the articles about her in the press. I haven't read her books for a while. I own several but I mostly borrowed her books from the library. They almost invariably featured a lonely, single woman in a tweed skirt and twinset. I could never be sure when I borrowed another book whether or not I had read it before! I felt certain that the main character, the quiet spinster, (I can't describe her as the 'heroine') was Brookner herself.
She had only been writing for a few years when she won the Booker Prize with 'Hotel du Lac' in 1984. Two years later there was an excellent tv production filmed at the Park Hotel on Lake Lucerne with Anna Massey perfectly cast as Edith Hope, a writer of romantic fiction.
The opening scene is of the Swiss lakes in autumn, a melancholy view.
If you look at my share my garden blog you will see that grey is very much my colour of the month!
I rarely see grey used anywhere. It's different. So, that's exciting. I didn't know Anita Brookner had died. So sorry. Didn't know about the Booker win either.
ReplyDeleteReading about her in the press I gather that she was almost a recluse for the last decade or so of her life. (And I doubt that she was the life and soul of any party before then!)
DeleteThat's quite a contrast - the gray and the color. I'd keep reading to see what comes next. Seems a quiet sort of book.
ReplyDeleteYou've pinned it exactly, Kay, another quiet book suggestion from me!
DeleteI can see that this novel is definitely not for everyone, but it definitely is for me! I love this type of prose style, too -- dreamlike, contemplative, slightly melancholic.... I love the plot, as well. Never mind that this is not your typical "action" novel. It's an introspective one, instead -- the kind of thoughtful read that prompts one to look at the deeper, inner realities most people try to avoid through rounds of meaningless chatter and frivolous partying.
ReplyDeleteAn added bonus is that cover, which strongly reminds me of the works of Henri Matisse.
I had never heard of this author before, so thanks for featuring this book!! :)
P.S. You've gotten me so interested in this book, I've just ordered it from Amazon!! thanks, and cheers!! : )
DeleteYou'll love her or hate her, Maria - do let me know what you think when you've read the book. You might be interested to look up about on line and see how closely her life fits with the characters in her novels!
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