Wednesday, July 8, 2009

From "Cost" by Roxana Robinson


I just started reading Cost by Roxana Robinson, and am thoroughly enjoying the slower pace, after my recent bout of MG adventure books. It feels so luxurious to pay attention to whatever the author brings to the fore: the setting, (if you knew me as a reader and writer, you'd know I am not a big setting person) the ruminations and yes, even back story.

Anyway, I am only at the beginning and plan to take my time savoring the experience, but here is a sentence that I wish I'd written. It's from the point of view of Edward, an 80+ year-old man.

Hearing about other people's lives was either tedious or frustrating; they made so many mistakes.

Doesn't that just tell you a million things about his character?

8 comments:

Sherrie Petersen said...

Great comment :)

MG Higgins said...

I hadn't heard of this book but it sounds intriguing. Let us know what you think when you're finished.

Yat-Yee said...

Sorry. Here is the link to her website.

I was drawn to it initially because of the subject matter: family in crisis/generational problems but got hooked on the writing and language. Will definitely post my thoughts as I read.

Mary Witzl said...

I love the way character can be revealed with just a line or the odd bit of dialog -- it's like a haiku or a brush painting. You're right: with that line I can see a fussy fellow who's just itching to show everyone else HOW IT IS DONE. (Please God, let me not be like that at age 80+...)

Yat-Yee said...

Hi Mary! Maybe the other reason this sentence stood out for me is that I recognize some of the fussiness in myself. Gulp!

Suzanne Casamento said...

WOW. That is a great line. Yes, it says a lot about his character. I'm guessing he's a perfectionist. And maybe a bit of a grump. ; )

MeganRebekah said...

None of my friends or family are readers, and I've always been very self-conscious about what I read in front of them (the romance novels stay tucked under the bed for instance).

Yat-Yee said...

Hey Meghan, Thanks for visiting my blog. Did you mean to comment on the post about judging people based on their tastes in books?

Welcome.