Lately I've mostly been reading mysteries, thrillers, and ghostly tales. Which I love. But the last one left me so spooked, I decided I needed something completely different -- and Armistead Maupin's The Days of Anna Madrigal is certainly that. Here's the opening paragraph:
Summer had been warmer than usual this year, but the heat that throbbed in the East Bay was already coaxing pale fingers of fog into the city. Anna could feel this on her skin, the chilly caress she had come to think of as "candle weather." She had not owned a fireplace since her landlady days on Russian Hill, but to her mind the proper application of candlelight carried all the primal comfort of a campfire.
Initial Thoughts:
Well, I'm intrigued, I guess -- all that fog and candlelight and chilly caressing draws me in. Also, I know that Anna is 92 years old, and I'm always interested in books with older protagonists. I haven't read any of the earlier books in this series (this is number 9, and apparently the final volume), so this will be my introduction to Maupin's San Francisco tales. I've heard lots of good stuff about the books (and the TV mini-series, which I've also never seen), so I'm looking forward to getting immersed in this one.
Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Fridays. As she says, the idea is to post the first sentence (or so) of the book you're currently reading, along with any first impressions or thoughts you have about the book, the author, etc. It's a wonderful way of adding new books to your must-read list, and a chance to connect with other readers and bloggers.
I guess I'm not the only person who doesn't read a series of books in order. Like you, I enjoy stories with older protagonists. San Francisco is a great setting too. I'll read this series, and maybe even start with Book One!
ReplyDeleteMy Friday post features a legal thriller: BODILY HARM.
You definitely aren't Sandra. I switch genres all the time. Otherwise, the books seem to run together and it is hard to appreciate each individual one as much as I might.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental Friday Memes
I have read (and enjoyed) one book from this series...and lately I, too, have been drawn into stories about older characters (The Twilight Hour, Florence Gordon).
ReplyDeleteHmm, does that mean they are now my "contemporaries"? LOL
Thanks for sharing...I do want to read this one; and thanks for visiting my blog.
I have never read a book with an older protagonist in it.
ReplyDeleteI like the description in the beginning lines. I also love fireplaces especially since it is freezing here in Pittsburgh. :)
ENJOY the book, and thanks for sharing and for visiting my post earlier,
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Book Beginnings
There have been some really good books recently with older protagonists...and I am definitely drawn to them. I've always been intrigued by Maupin's series and have it one my one of these days lists. Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog.
The description is awesome :)
ReplyDeleteBookBeginning@EverythingNyze