Fabulous First Page

This contemporary literary novel gets it right from Page 1

Hello! I’m back with another Fabulous First Page showcase. As always I’ll start with a reminder of all the things a first page should try to do:

A first page should:

• Hook the reader right away and invite them into the story.

• Set the scene and the overall tone of the novel.

• Introduce a main character (and/or introduce a main setting or theme).

• Hint at a conflict, situation, mystery/secret, or question.

The book I’ve chosen, like many literary novels, doesn’t do these four things in the most obvious of ways. But it certainly invites readers into the story, hints at an intriguing situation, and sets an overall tone with a compelling voice. Oh, literary novels and their je ne sais quoi of voicey-ness!

I chose this novel not only because the first page drew me in right away (and then I devoured the whole book), but because I’m currently fascinated by this Irish author. She’s under 40 and has published a successful YA trilogy and three adult literary novels. Plus, she has a long-running and very fun podcast. She’s even had superstar novelist Curtis Sittenfeld on her podcast, talking about the film Dirty Dancing, which is just so dreamy I can’t even quite comprehend it.

And now… for today’s Fabulous First Page