Book Beginnings: How It All Began

How It All Began, by Penelope Lively (first published 2011). Chapter One begins...

The pavement rises up and hits her. Slams into her face, drives the lower rim of her glasses into her cheek.
She is laid out there, prone. What is this? Voices are chattering above her; people are concerned. Of course.
Bag.
She says, "My bag."
A face is alongside hers. Woman. Nice woman. "There's an ambulance on the way, my dear. You'll be fine. Just keep still till they come."
Bag.
"Your shopping's right here. The Sainsbury bag."
No. Bag.
Bag is not. She'd known that somehow. Right away.

About the Book:

"When Charlotte is mugged and breaks her hip, her daughter Rose cannot accompany her employer Lord Peters to Manchester, which means his niece Marion has to go instead, which means she sends a text to her lover which is intercepted by his wife, which is just the beginning in the ensuing chain of life-altering events. 

In this engaging, utterly absorbing and brilliantly told novel, Penelope Lively shows us how one random event can cause marriages to fracture and heal themselves, opportunities to appear and disappear, lovers who might never have met to find each other and entire lives to become irrevocably changed."

Initial Thoughts:
It's been too long since I read anything by Penelope Lively. I've always loved her writing. I've been looking for a book to read as my May book in the Monthly Keyword Reading Challenge, and this would fit nicely — so it gives me a good excuse to read something by one of my favorite authors.

That opening grabbed me right away. I would feel the same way — getting knocked down in the street would be terrible. But having my handbag disappear? Now that would really make me panic!

Also, I love that cover. It is not the cover of the edition I'm reading. I'm reading the Kindle edition which really doesn't have a cover, so I pilfered this one from Goodreads. That scene just makes me feel really happy and cozy and ready to settle in with a good book and a nice cuppa. Love it.

So — how about it? Would that beginning make you want more?

Rose City Reader hosts Book Beginnings on Friday.  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.