Tuesday, May 8, 2018

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

                                                      
 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.  

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, The Only Story by Julian Barnes.  The excerpt shared is from a hardcover version borrowed from the library.

 The Only Story 

ONE

Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less, and suffer the less?  That is, I think, finally, the only real question.


What do you think?  Would you continue reading?
The author starts this novel by asking quite a profound question, and sets the tone for the story of a profound relationship between a younger man and an older woman: what draws them together, what they offer one another, and what ultimately draws them apart.  

Julian Barnes is an astute observer of the human heart, and The Only Story is his latest insightful novel.

********************




This First Chapter ~ First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing of this original post on Google+ are appreciated.

23 comments:

  1. I would love to read this one, although the first paragraph is off on a very weighty note. But I have liked the Julian Barnes novels I've read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree! Barnes is a thoughtful and prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction.

      Delete
  2. I want to read this one too and like Margot I've enjoyed the Julian Barnes books I've read. I wonder what answer was given?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've always enjoyed Julian Barnes, though I haven't read much of his work so I'd keep reading.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have never read anything by this author, but I certainly agree that the question asked is one for the ages. Anybody got a suggestion for the perfect book by this author to start with?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I recommend The Sense of an Ending, for which he won the Man Booker Prize.

      Delete
  5. Love the sound of this one! The question is definitely one to ponder. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is an intriguing question. This week I am featuring Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire - from my TBR mountain. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you're able to make a real dent in your TBR mountain!

      Delete
  7. Sounds good. I'd like to know what the answer is, too! Very intriguing.

    Happy Tuesday!

    Here's mine: http://bit.ly/AlexEliza

    Luv Sass x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very intriguing intro and indeed a profound question. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  9. It sounds like a weighty read. I would keep reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A change of pace from my thriller and cozy reads for sure.

      Delete
  10. That question was easy for me. I'd rather love and suffer more.
    I'd keep reading.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have not read this author. What an opening line.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm intrigued but hesitant. I like the sound of it but I get a little nervous when an author gets to introspective!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Challenging question. I'd like to read the book though.

    ReplyDelete