Every Tuesday fellow blogger Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where bloggers share the first paragraph of the book they are currently reading or thinking about reading soon.
I am currently re-reading Pat Conroy’s The Lords of Discipline, his novel about being a student at the Carolina Military Institute (the fictional version of The Citadel) in Charleston. This one is a bit, shall we say, long-winded, but I think it is a great introduction to the story. That being said, the last two sentences are the kickers for sure:
“I define myself in this way: I am the son of Thomas Patrick McLean of Savannah, Georgia, a volatile, brawling man who attended Benedictine High School and Carolina Military Institute, and as a Marine captain won a Navy Cross for his valor under fire during the invasion of Iwo Jima. He returned to Savannah as a wounded hero in 1944, went to work for Belk’s department store, and married a girl from Dahlonega, Georgia, who worked in the perfume department after a brief stint in notions. I liked neither the Corps nor Belk’s nor my father, but grew up worshipping the black haired woman from the perfume department. My mother blamed my father’s temper on Iwo Jima, but I entertained the heretical thought that he was a son of a b*tch long before the Japanese invaded Pearl Harbor. When he was dying of cancer, he made me promise to attend and graduate from Carolina Military Institute, and through tears, I promised. He told me to stop crying and act like a man and I did. Then he made me promise I would be a pilot when I entered the service, that he didn’t want any son of his getting killed on some godforsaken beach like Iwo Jima, especially a son he loved as much as he did me. Eight hours after he told me he loved me for the first time, he died of melanoma and left me a prisoner of his memory. At age fourteen, I was the man of the house.”
What do you think? Would you keep reading? Stay tuned for my full review…and check out my review of The Great Santini, Conroy’s other novel focusing on military life and abusive fathers.
This is one of Conroy’s books that I haven’t yet read….I just finished reading his hefty book Beach Music. I like his writing style, and would keep reading.
Here’s MY TUESDAY POST
I loved Beach Music – it’s on my All-Time Favorites list! This one is pretty different, though. Same fantastic writing 🙂
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It’s been awhile since I read a Pat Conroy novel and I haven’t read his nonfiction. Sure sounds like he’s had some interesting life experiences.
My Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/01/first-chapter-first-paragraph-46.html
This is actually fiction, but is based loosely on his real experiences. I’m actually re-reading this one – I read it when I was in high school and remembered loving it, but didn’t remember any details about it…so thought it was high time for a re-read!
This brings back memories. Just the cover screams 70s to me! Hope you enjoy it. Here’s Mine
I know, right?!!! The first time I read this was when I was in high school – it’s my second time around now since I don’t remember much about it!
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I would read on. How could I not? Promises made in grief are usually bad ideas I think…but we will see where those promises leave this young man.
I agree – how could you not continue reading Pat Conroy? He’s one of my favorites! Thanks for stopping by!
This is a great read. I remember reading it more than a decade ago and enjoying it so much that I later read The Prince of Tides and other Conroy masterpieces. Most recently I was moved by his memoir, My Reading Life.
I’ve read everything he’s ever written except My Reading Life – I’ll add that to my “To Read” list!
You are right about those last two lines. I would keep reading.
I’d keep reading. Sounds good. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
I’ve read most of Conroy’s novels (Beach Music is a favorite), but not this one. I should add it to my list…
Love the intro and the author. This is one of his books that I have not read yet though –enjoy. Thanks for joining us this week:)
Damn, quite the beginning. I’m not sure it’s quite in my wheelhouse, but it certainly is well-crafted. Hope you enjoy it!
Here’s my paragraph for the week. Happy reading!