'He lay flat on the brown, pine-needled floor, his chin on his folded arms, and high overhead the wind blew in the tops of the pine trees.'I really like the way this seems to jump straight in with the action. I'd like to know why he's lying on the floor, although it is about guerrilla's during the Spanish Civil War so I guess that would explain it.
I've been looking forward to picking this one up for a while now.
Linking up to Book Beginnings @ Rose City Reader.
Rowen
When I read this, I went the opposite direction (but I don't know anything about the book)! My thoughts went into relaxation mode. He sounds like he is laying there peacefully.
ReplyDeleteTo me it seemed as though he was in spy-mode. Being furtive, and trying to see more without being seen. I could be wrong, it's all I've read so far though :)
DeleteNice to see old favorites. Here is my post: Book Beginnings
ReplyDeleteNew follower.
I love seeing books I enjoyed, but I'm not sure I'm old enough to have 'old favourites' as such yet. I'll check out your post.
DeleteAh, it's been many years since I read this one, but I have a sense of melancholy when I think of it...even the title evokes that feeling. Love the beginning.
ReplyDeleteHere's MY FRIDAY MEMES POST
I love the beginning too. It's good when a book can evoke that level of feeling after a long period of time.
DeleteI didn't know this was about the Spanish Civil War. Now I want to read it...Is the person on the pine-needled floor dying? Terrible era. Franco was no bueno.
ReplyDeleteI'm not 100% it's about the Spanish Civil War, but I'm reasonably confident. I don't think he's dying, it seems too calm and ordered for that. Franco was definitely not good...
DeleteOh, Hemingway is such a good author, I loved 'The old Man and the Sea'. And this is a great beginning. I'm a new follower :) Hop on over if you have the time:
ReplyDeletehttp://universeinwords.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/i-have-friday-on-my-mind.html
Juli @ Universe in Words
This is a great beginning, is The Old Man and the Sea another one by Hemingway? Thanks for following, I'll check out your post :)
DeleteThis is probably my favorite Hemingway novel.
ReplyDeleteHere's my Book Beginnings.
I've heard good things about it from a few people, not least the friend I've paired up with to read a challenge list of which this is one. I'll check out your post :)
DeleteEnjoy! This is a good one.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I started reading it properly last night and so far we're getting along just fine :)
DeleteI go back and forth on this one. I'm glad I read it, but don't really think I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteGreat classic beginning though -- I pinned it on Pinterest.
Thanks for participating in Book Beginnings!
Hmm, interesting perspective, I don't think anyone's said that to me before. I think having read some of it I can see what you mean though, the story seems to be quite good but the language is a bit stilted and it's marring it for me a little.
DeleteSorry it took a while to reply I've been a bit out of things over the weekend.