Every Friday Book Beginnings on Friday is hosted by Gillion at Rose City Reader where you can share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.
This week’s book is Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson.
It begins:
My name is Ruth. I grew up with my younger sister, Lucille, under the care of my grandmother, Mrs Sylvia Foster, and then when she died, of her sisters-in-law, Misses Lily and Nona Foster, and when they fled of her daughter, Mrs Sylvia Fisher.
A sad opening, I thought. Two young children passed from pillar to post.
Also every Friday there is The Friday 56, hosted by Freda at Freda’s Voice.
These are the rules:
- Grab a book, any book.
- Turn to page 56, or 56% on your eReader.
- Find any sentence (or a few, just don’t spoil it) that grabs you.
- Post it.
- Add the URL to your post in the link on Freda’s most recent Friday 56 post.
Page 56:
Sylvie put her hands in her pockets. “I think I should stay for a while,” she said. The aunts are too old. I think it’s best for now, at least.”
See my previous post for the synopsis.
BooksPlease 
Love how the tracks on the cover seem to go on forever.
sherry @ fundinmental Friday Memes
LikeLike
yes, it’s very atmospheric!
LikeLike
Oh, this does sound like a sad beginning, Margaret. At the same time, it sounds interesting. I’ll be keen to know what you think of it when you’ve read it.
LikeLike
It’s a sad book, Margot. I have finished reading it now – and thinking what to write about it.
LikeLike
I’m wondering is Sylvia’s staying is a good or a bad thing.
My 56 from Sunborn Rising
LikeLike
Ah, Laura, that is indeed the question!
LikeLike
It’s sad when children are shuffled around.I hope their lives get better by the end of the book. Have a great weekend! I’d love for you and your readers to check out mine… http://tinyurl.com/LisaKsBookReviewsTUIB
LikeLike
It’s a sad book, although there is some improvement by the end.
LikeLike
Doesn’t sound like my genre but I’d be interested in knowing how the girls fared. My 56 book is Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs. Happy reading!
LikeLike
I;ve finished the book now and will write about it in the next few days.
LikeLike
I do like the sound of this one and I feel so sorry for the girls at the beginning. Being shuffled around like that can’t be easy.
LikeLike
It is good in a melancholy sort of way and I too felt so sorry for the girls.
LikeLike
Sounds like the poor girl got moved around a lot. Sounds like the makings of an epic story though! Happy weekend!!
LikeLike
This sounds good. I read Lila by the same author last year. Happy weekend. Here’s my Friday Book.
LikeLike
I did enjoy it Bev – if enjoy is the right word. I haven’t read Lila – did you like it?
LikeLike
A modern classic! What a wonderful book.
Thanks for playing along on BBOF, even though I didn’t have a Mr. Linky this week!
LikeLike
Thanks for hosting , Gilion – much appreciated.
LikeLike
This seems to have been pretty popular at the library lately… 🙂
Check out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings).
LikeLike
Lauren, that’s good to know and I’ll pop over to look at your post.
LikeLike
It really does seem sad. But what a lovely cover. Hope you enjoy it!
LikeLike
As I’ve already comment, Mareli, it is a sad story, but one worth reading I think.
LikeLike
It is a very sad beginning but at the same time it shows that they were cared for by family – hopefully family that loved them – it’s not as bad as going to complete strangers. This sounds like an interesting book and I hope you enjoy it- let us know how you feel about it at the end. my Friday meme
LikeLike
I’ll be writing about it in the next few days!
LikeLike