Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibilophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometimes maybe a few) of a book she’s decided to read based on the opening paragraph (s). Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
I must be one of the minority who didn’t love The Time Traveler’s Wife (it irritated me), but still when I saw Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffennegger and read the opening paragraphs, I thought maybe I’d read it.
The first chapter is called The End and begins:
Elspeth died while Robert was standing in front of a vending machine watching tea shoot into a small plastic cup. Later he would remember walking down the hospital corridor with the cup of horrible tea in his hand, alone under the fluorescent lights, retracing his steps to the room where Elspeth lay surrounded by machines. She had turned her head towards the door and her eyes were open; at first Robert thought she was conscious.
In the seconds before she died, Elspeth remembered a day last spring when she and Robert had walked along a muddy path by the Thames in Kew Gardens. There was a smell of rotted leaves; it had been raining. Robert said, ‘We should have had kids,’ and Elspeth replied, ‘Don’t be silly, sweet.’ She said it out loud, in the hospital room, but Robert wasn’t there to hear.
If you’ve read this book what do you think? I’ve looked on Amazon and the verdict is split almost 50/50 between 5/4 stars and 1/2 stars!
BooksPlease 
It’s definitely weird and memorable, but it drove me crazy too because it’s so far out there. See what you think. Here’s Mine
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I found it very freaky and couldn’t decide for ages if I liked it. On the whole, I did as it was so remarkable. (my review is here)
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I rated it 3 1/2 stars last year – a strange and enjoyable story, but didn’t leave a lasting impression. Give it a try!
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kind of quirky–but I’d keep reading to see what kind of life they had together. kaye’”the road goes ever ever on
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I liked the intro and actually liked the book (4/5 stars I think). Thanks so much for joining in this week, I appreciate it.
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Wow, that’s a powerful intro. I’ve heard good things about this one, but haven’t yet read it. I think I must!
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Here’s MY TUESDAY MEMES POST
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I liked this book as well.
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I’m intrigued. I would certainly read on.
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The book kept my interest til the very end, But he ending ticked me off. If you have not read the book, I won’t spoil if for you by telling you why. Go read the book for yourself and find out.
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