Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea; and Teaser Tuesdays hosted by Should Be Reading.
Today’s selection is a book that’s been resting patiently on Sparky for some time. The Night Swimmer, by Matt Bondurant, is a novel of myriad enchantments by a writer of extraordinary talent.
Intro: Prologue
Now, in calm weather, to swim in the open ocean is as easy to the practiced swimmer as to ride in a spring-carriage ashore. But the awful lonesomeness is intolerable. The intense concentration of self in the middle of such a heartless immensity, my God! who can tell it?
Herman Melville, Moby-Dick
It began with a dart, a pint, and a poem, three elements that seemed to demonstrate the imprecise nature of fate. When Fred stepped up to the line, the dart held loosely in his hand, you could see in the way he carried his body the assurances of a man who was well prepared. Fred was always lucky, but to say that now seems to remove something essential from him. In fact it is Fred who should be telling you this story, as he was the one preparing for this all along. Not me.
***
Teaser: It was a common enough dream for young Americans of a certain set: by moving into a mostly imagined past, represented by Europe, we could recapture something we so desperately wanted in the present. Or simply a way out of the meat grinder of the suburbs. (3%)
***
Amazon Description: An “evocative and often lyrical” (San Francisco Chronicle) novel about a young American couple who win a pub on the southernmost tip of Ireland and become embroiled in the local violence and intrigue.In a small town on the southern coast of Ireland, an isolated place frequented by fishermen and occasional bird-watchers, Fred and Elly Bulkington, newly arrived from Vermont, encounter a wild, strange land shaped by the pounding storms of the North Atlantic. As Fred revels in the life of a new pubowner, Elly takes the ferry out to a nearby island where anyone not born there is called a “blow-in.” To the disbelief of the locals, Elly devotes herself to open-water swimming, pushing herself to the limit and crossing unseen boundaries that drive her into the heart of the island’s troubles—the mysterious tragedy that shrouds its inhabitants and the dangerous feud between an enigmatic farmer and a powerful clan that has no use for outsiders.
The poignant unraveling of a marriage, the fierce beauty of the natural world, the mysterious power of Irish lore, and the gripping story of strangers in a strange land rife with intrigue and violence—The Night Swimmer is a novel of myriad enchantments by a writer of extraordinary talent.
***
What do you think? Are you intrigued? Would you keep reading?
The fierce beauty of the natural world, and the nght swimming, would drive me to read this one…
LikeLike
Those themes fascinate me, too, Harvee. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Sounds interesting. I hope you enjoy it. Come see my teasers for Pivot Point by Kasie West and Three Sisters by Susan Mallery. Happy reading!
LikeLike
I hope so, too, Kathy…and I loved your offering, too. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Great intro and teaser! Will add this one to my ever-growing list. Hope you enjoy it!
Here’s my Tuesday selection: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2013/03/first-chapter-first-paragraph-6-and.html
LikeLike
Thanks, Catherine…I have had it on Sparky for quite awhile…I’m glad to finally start reading it. Glad you could stop by, and enjoy your reading.
LikeLike
I love the concept but the writing doesn’t catch me. Well, the Herman Melville writing caught me. I’ll wait to see what you think.Here’s Mine
LikeLike
Yes, sometimes it’s hard to connect with the writing style…I’m hoping I love it, but who knows what will happen? lol
I adored the book you’ve selected this week, Paulita. Enjoy!
LikeLike
Great teasers! I like the writing, though I’m not sure if the book would be up my alley. Thank you for stopping by my TT post!
LikeLike
I’m not sure of it, either, Melissa, which is probably why it languished in Sparky for such a long time! Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I really like the writing… look forward to hearing more about this book.
LikeLike
Thanks, JoAnn…I know that I’m curious about it. For some reason, I bought it back in March 2012….lol.
LikeLike
A way out of the meat grinder actually explains a lot about the behavior of some of my friends.
LikeLike
Ha-ha…yes, I can relate, too, Alice Audrey. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I’m not sure on this one because of the private and interpersonal strife being too much of a downer. I’m interested in reading your review to see where it goes.
🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Pooch…I’m not that certain about it, either, but I’m determined to try!
LikeLike
oh I can relate!
trish – my tease
LikeLike
Glad you can, Trish…thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your read.
LikeLike
Hi Laurel Rain,
You have really sold me on this one, with all your great snipetts today.
I love the style of the writing and the idea of a feudal clan trying to rule the roost, is intriguing.
Whilst I am not quite sure of the relevance of all the swimming, it doesn’t sound as though it bodes well for anyone.
A definite for my reading list, thanks for sharing and I hope that you are enjoying the book,
Yvonne
LikeLike
Yes, the swimming might possibly be my least favorite part, Yvonne. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your pick.
LikeLike
Wow! The first lines really draw me in.
LikeLike
Yes, I think the opener is intriguing…it makes me wonder. Thanks for stopping by, Beth.
LikeLike
That does sound interesting–I think I would read on.
LikeLike
Thanks, Heather…glad you could stop by; enjoy your reading!
LikeLike
I wanted to read this one, but the writing seems off-putting to me?? Not sure now, but I might try more. ENjoy and thank you for joining us.
LikeLike
I am not sure about it, either, Diane; it’s been sitting inactive on Sparky for more than a year…there must have been a reason. Maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
LikeLike
This one sounds really good…loved the taste of the writing style that I got from your sample!
Thanks for stopping by my Tuesday Teasers post!
♥ Melissa @ Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf
LikeLike
Glad you liked it, Melissa (eclectic); thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
LikeLike
Nice teaser. And I could seeing wanting to get out of the suburbs. 🙂 Thank you
And thank you for stopping by my teaser today as well.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Melissa, and thanks for returning the visit. Enjoy your week!
LikeLike
Interesting teaser! Enjoy!
LikeLike
Thanks, Yvonne…have a great week!
LikeLike