YvonneProfessor Henry Fell is so overwhelmed by fear that he’s only barely able to register (with a certain sad, slightly surreal, satisfaction) that the plane is actually perfectly level, that there isn’t a single buckle in the currents of air about him, that he’s seemingly the only person on this flight feverishly clutching his armrests. His conscious mind knows full well that the airplane isn’t going down; it’s not even experiencing turbulence. But his body (more specifically every nerve in his body) rings out with the sort of anxiety that would be entirely appropriate in such a situation.
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I am really looking forward to discovering just how the Professor deals with the remainder of his flight and the landing at his destination, as I can sympathise with him completely. I am no stranger to flying, however I certainly couldn’t put my hand on my heart and say that I ever enjoy the experience, it is simply a means to an end and is often the only way of getting from A to B.
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If those first few lines left you wanting to know more, you can click on the book image to read a full Amazon synopsis. To discover more about the author, Ryan Asmussen, click here.
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WHAT IS ‘BOOK BEGINNINGS’ AND HOW CAN YOU JOIN IN THE FUN?
Would the first few lines of your book make you want to read on?
If so, would you like to share them with us, (without revealing too many spoilers of course) ?
Click here and visit Gilion @ Rose City Reader
You can then leave a link to your own book beginnings post, or just browse for some great reads, there are always plenty of new authors and titles to be discovered.
Don’t forget that Gilion and all the other contributors to this meme love to hear from you, so why not leave a comment or two at the same time.
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As this was an author invitation to read and review, a PDF and Kindle download of ‘The Englishman and the Butterfly’, was sent to me free of charge, by its author Ryan Asmussen.
This will in no way influence any comments I may express about the book, in any blog article I may post. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this, or any other article.
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I really like this beginning. It’s easy to imagine the professor reassuring himself that he’s perfectly safe but still being terrified. I think I’d like this book.
My Book Beginning/Friday 56 post features Perigee Moon.
Hi Sandra,
I am not quite that bad when we fly, although I never find it a particularly enjoyable experience, especially when we have to take the ‘red eye’ flight back home to the UK, if we have been over in the States.
The book has received some excellent critical acclaim since its publication, so I am really looking forward to it reaching the top of my reading pile, in a couple of books time!
Thanks for stopping by, your comments are always appreciated.
I could relate to those feelings, as I had similar ones during almost every flight I’ve taken…lol
Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
Hi Laurel-Rain,
Some people walk off a 10 hour flight, cool as a cucumber, just like they had been on a short bus ride … I don’t know how they do it! … Me, I always look stressed and like I have been dragged through a hedge backwards!!
I think that the Professor’s feelings of being overwhelmed by things and needing constant reassurance, are symptoms of some much deeper insecurities and feelings, which are all about to ‘come to a head’, in some shape or form!
Thanks for your comments, your visits are always appreciated.
I can totally relate to that feeling. Great beginning!
Hi Rikki,
That feeling of not being in control, whatever the circumstances, is just not me …. all my relatives and friends (including hubbie), see me as some kind of control freak!
From reading the synopsis, I think that the Professor is not experiencing an isolated incident here either and the whole scenario is indicative of a more serious problem.
I think this is going to be a great study of the human spirit and psyche!
Thanks for stopping by and have a good weekend.
I’m reading a book featuring an uncomfortable professor too. 🙂
Hi Jenny,
First of all, thanks so much for deciding to stop by today, it is always good to ‘meet’ new people and your comments are appreciated.
I stopped by and checked out the post about your Professor and couldn’t believe the many coincidences between our books and authors this week … we couldn’t do that again if we tried!
As both our authors are academics, with a special interest in literature and poetry, it would be totally ironic if their paths had crossed at some time or another!
Have a great weekend.
Grat snippet. I can totally relate to Professor Henry Fell fear of flying 🙂
Hi Naida,
They are some first lines which actually let the reader know some tangible information about the character of Professor Fell, right from the start and as so many of you have pointed out, can help the reader relate to and empathise with him. I think that I am really going to enjoy this book.
Thanks for stopping by and as always, I value your comments.
Hope that your weekend goes well.
Interesting! I’m not a fan of flying and spend more of the flight buckled into my seat and gripping onto the armrests, much like the protagonist!
Hi Nikki,
Flying is really nothing more than the process of getting from A to B for me. The entire experience, from arriving at the airport check-in, to landing home again after my trip, through immigration, is not enjoyable, especially the landings! I usually try to sleep for most of the journey and that seems to help a little.
This book promises to be a great study of human emotions and if this opening sequence is anything to go by, then it bodes well!
Thanks for taking part in the discussion and I hope that all is well with you.