For the first Book Beginnings on Fridays of the New Year, I'm featuring my last read of the old year, Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis.
Book Beginnings on Fridays is a chance to share the first sentence or so of the book you are reading this week. Please share the link to your blog post or social media post in the Mr. Linky below. If you share on social media, please use the #bookbeginnings hashtag.
MY BOOK BEGINNING
From Lucky Jim, published in 1953. I read this in college and am treating myself to a reread:
"They made a silly mistake, though," the professor of history said, and his smile, as Dixon Watched, gradually sank beneath the surface of his features at the memory.
Lucky Jim was an eyeopener to me when I first read it. After years of reading "literature" in high school and college, it was the first book of "literature" I read that was FUNNY. I mean, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Jane Austen, yes, they all said funny things. But Lucky Jim is all about being funny. James Dixon is a young college lecturer slacking off at his job, getting drunk, trying to get laid, and getting into one mess after another. And just like that, Amis was a literary sensation.
I was hooked. Who knew literature could be fun?
YOUR BOOK BEGINNING
Please post to your Book Beginning post, not your blog home page or social media profile page.
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Freda at Freda's Voice hosts another teaser event on Fridays. Participants share a two-sentence teaser from page 56 of the book they are reading -- or from 56% of the way through the audiobook or ebook. Please visit Freda's Voice for details and to leave a link to your post.
MY FRIDAY 56
The little town and the city were in different counties; the local pubs, unlike the city pubs and the hotel he went to with Margaret, stayed open till ten-thirty during the summer, and the summer had now officially begun. His gratitude had been inexpressible in words; and only further calls at the bar could pay that happy debt.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Here's wishing you all a happy and healthy 2021! What is the first book you will read in the new year?
I am currently reading a book about books and this book Lucky Jim in on the list. It is the first I've heard about it, so I am adding it to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHi Gilion,
ReplyDeleteI have of course, heard of this book, although it was never required 'English Literature' reading as part of my school examination syllabus, so I never bothered reading it. Maybe I should have, as it does sound really good and I always enjoy 'observational' writing and wit.
This is not a good start to the New Year, the first time I visit a site and already another new book for my TBR pile - but thanks for sharing anyway! :)
Let's hope that 2021 is a much better year for us all and Best Wishes to you and your husband :)
Yvonne Xx
Happy New Year Gilion! I am definitely having a look at Lucky Jim. I think we can do with a few humorous books in 2021. Just to lighten everything a bit up.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a lovely festive season!
Mareli & Elza
Sounds interesting! Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete