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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 6:11 am
by Dragonlily
Sorus wrote:(Someone should change the name of the thread to 'Unforgettable Opening Paragraphs'!)
Done.
Doeke Algra, born in Menaldum, Friesland, twenty-eight years ago, was experiencing feelings of extreme happiness. He had been uplifted by such euphoria before, when, on his father's lap, he was watching doggies. There were never any doggies, but their mysterious absence was part of the happiness. Doeke Algra, Sr., at that time filled with the strength of his young adult life, had to work hard for a living and liked to relax after dinner, and little Doeke preferred to jump and wriggle. He could sit still but only if there was a Purpose. "The doggies will be coming by the window in a minute," father Algra would say and cuddle his offspring, and together they kept looking through the narrow window of a lowly laborer's cottage set between gnarled willow trees, and enjoyed each other's warmth while the doggies didn't come.
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 6:17 am
by lucimay
whoa! that's IS a great paragraph! what is it?
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 6:19 am
by Dragonlily
If no one recognizes it (which is likely), I'll tell you.
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 6:25 am
by lucimay
'k.
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:22 pm
by Sorus
Dragonlily wrote:Sorus wrote:(Someone should change the name of the thread to 'Unforgettable Opening Paragraphs'!)
Done.
Apologies to Dromond for the hijacking.
Doeke Algra, born in Menaldum, Friesland, twenty-eight years ago, was experiencing feelings of extreme happiness. He had been uplifted by such euphoria before, when, on his father's lap, he was watching doggies. There were never any doggies, but their mysterious absence was part of the happiness. Doeke Algra, Sr., at that time filled with the strength of his young adult life, had to work hard for a living and liked to relax after dinner, and little Doeke preferred to jump and wriggle. He could sit still but only if there was a Purpose. "The doggies will be coming by the window in a minute," father Algra would say and cuddle his offspring, and together they kept looking through the narrow window of a lowly laborer's cottage set between gnarled willow trees, and enjoyed each other's warmth while the doggies didn't come.
I don't know what that's from, but it'll probably be on my list.
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:27 pm
by lucimay
dragonlily, i think you should tell us what it is...no one's guessing!!!
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 3:14 am
by Dragonlily
OK. It's THE RATTLE-RAT by Janwillem van de Wetering. He's a Dutch mystery writer. You can see the appeal.
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 4:25 am
by Fist and Faith
I've heard his writing gives good zen lessons.
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 4:30 am
by Dragonlily
Yes, but well blended into the stories. I find his writing very easy to relate to. Fist, try him if you're in a mystery mood.
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 4:37 am
by Fist and Faith
Not really much of a mystery reader. No idea why. I enjoyed one Hillerman novel, but haven't been driven to read another. And I tried one Wetering, but didn't finish it. I guess I like my mysteries on tv. Colombo and Ellery Queen rule!
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 4:44 am
by Dragonlily
*watching Hawaii Five-0*
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:16 am
by lucimay
i have often pondered these books on the mystery shelf just because i like the name and the nice quiet covers!! i must now read one...somewhere between Gabaldon and Erikson!!
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:22 am
by Dragonlily
One of my personal favorites is THE TUMBLEWEED, Lucimay. But each book shows his unusual appeal in some facet.
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:24 am
by lucimay
oh, i've seen that one at borders! must take a trip down there and pick it up!
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:40 am
by Dragonlily
Enjoy the character of the murderer.
Here's a new one:
The trouble with most warlocks is that they talk too much. That's how I happened to notice the kid in Washington Square: he wasn't saying anything. He just sat there, quietly making tropical butterflies, while the teenyboppers rippled past, unnoticing.
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 2:09 pm
by danlo
Sorta sounds like Zelazny, but I can't place it...
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:32 pm
by Sorus
Dragonlily wrote:OK. It's THE RATTLE-RAT by Janwillem van de Wetering. He's a Dutch mystery writer. You can see the appeal.
On my list now.
I don't read many mysteries, though perhaps I should read more; I usually enjoy them.
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:14 am
by Dragonlily
This one is meant for you, Danlo. If you haven't read it (decades ago), I think you would get a kick out of it for the humorous trip down memory lane.
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 4:26 am
by Sorus
Anyone, anyone? I want to know what it is!
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 5:14 am
by Dragonlily
Oh, Sorus! I totally forgot!
Here it is again, since everyone else probably forgot, too:
The trouble with most warlocks is that they talk too much. That's how I happened to notice the kid in Washington Square: he wasn't saying anything. He just sat there, quietly making tropical butterflies, while the teenyboppers rippled past, unnoticing.
It's from Chester Anderson's THE BUTTERFLY KID, a psychedelic mystery ripped directly from the daydreams of Greenwich Village stoners of the '60s. Hilarious battle of Villagers versus Insidious Aliens.
It's someone else's turn to do one.