Tuesday, August 20, 2013

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros: Katherine, by Anya Seton


Every Tuesday, Diane (the Bibliophile by the Sea) hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where she and those of us who join her share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book that will be read soon or is currently being read. Stop by and seeing what everyone else is reading.

Here's what I've got on deck...

Katherine, by Anya Seton, described on the cover as the classic love story of medieval England, is the story of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.

In the tender green time of April, Katherine set forth at last upon her journey with the two nuns and the royal messenger.
     The invisible sun had scarcely risen as they quitted the little convent of Sheppey, and guiding the horses westward towards the Kentish mainland, rode gingerly down the steep hill.  Dripping dun clouds obscured the minster tower behind them and thick mists blew in from the North Sea.
     The bell began tolling for Prime and Katherine heard, through its familiar clangor, the bang of the priory's gate, and the faint voice of the little wicket nun calling again through the mist, "Adieu, dear Katherine, adieu."
     "Farewell, Dame Barbara, God be with you," Katherine answered, hoping that her tone was not too gay.  She had tried to make herself feel the requisite doleful pang at parting from this convent where she had spent over five years, but her heart would not obey.  It bubbled, instead, with excited anticipation.

I'll be reading this book in September as part of my TBR Pile Challenge--it comes recommended by so many book friends, and now that I am engulfed in the War of the Roses, I'm very excited to read about John of Gaunt's Katherine.  The opening is evocative of time and place and promises a wonderful heroine.



10 comments:

  1. I've recently learned a little about the War of the Roses. Very interesting time in history.

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  2. Reading this might be educational for me:) I like the intro. Enjoy Jane and thanks for joining us.

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  3. The language is a little too 'flowery' for my taste - okay in small doses but not sure I could read a whole book with so much descriptive writing.

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  4. This sounds like a lovely story based on that first paragraph. Thanks for letting know about the TBR challenge. I'm off to check it out.

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    1. I have loved the TBR Pile Challenge--at least once a month, I read from my shelves. Of course, I add to them at a greater rate, but still...it helps!

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  5. I've wanted to read this book for ages!! Love the intro... hope you enjoy it.

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  6. An author I've wanted to read for a very long time.

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  7. It's many years since I read this book - I loved it.

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  8. I like the writing. I actually think that the tone is appropriate for what this book seems to be. It also draws one into the character right off the bat.


    I look forward to reading your thoughts on the book when finished.

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