The Quick, by Lauren Owen (Random House, 2014; 523 pages). These are the book's opening lines:
From Clubs of London, by Major Samuel Hobbs (London, 1890)
A brief word here on the Aegolius, which bears the dubious distinction of being the most mysterious club in London. The Aegolius's character and affairs are kept a profound secret, known only to its initiates.
Initial Thoughts:
Well, my first thought was that I like that "most mysterious club" bit. But at 523 pages (544 in the Kindle edition), it's going to take me a long, loooong time to finish this one. Probably really shouldn't even have thought of starting it right now.
The Quick is the book chosen for this year's Peril of the Group Read in the RIP/X Reading Challenge. And even though I probably won't be reading along with the group, I've been interested in this one since I first heard about it last year, so decided to just read it at my own pace.
And I must say, it's turning out to be very different from what I expected. More on that, later.
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.
This one has caught my attention too ... I will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings): http://never-anyone-else.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-friday-56-with-book-beginnings_24.html
I really have to do a lot of self-talk to even allow myself to start a book over 400 pages. If I read a really long book I do all kinds of math as I'm reading just to divide the book into parts that make me feel like I am making good progress. Good luck making progress on this one. Remember 50 pages is 10%. You can do it. My Friday Quotes
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really interesting read. I love the idea of a mysterious club as well, especially mixed with that name! Long reads can be great if you take it "by weeks", that's how I'm currently reading Les Miserables: 10 or 20 chapters a week. Maybe that'll help you get through this one! Thanks for sharing :) I hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteMy Friday post
Juli @ Universe in Words
I like the beginning but it does sound like a really long book - I will have to think about this deeply ...Here's My Book Beginnings and Friday 56
ReplyDeleteI used to think nothing of reading long books, LOL; but then again, that was when I was young and had very few books available to me.
ReplyDeleteI have to psych myself up these days to choose a long one; sometimes I read the long one at night, and the shorter ones by day.
I do like the sound of this one, though, and that mysterious club has aroused my curiosity. Enjoy!
Here's mine: “THE HOUSE OF MEMORIES”
This book sounds good.
ReplyDeleteENJOY!!
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Book Beginnings