Comments on: First Impressions 4.20.12

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 07:29:09 +0000

Thanks for all your comments, everyone. I think we have a winner—THE YARD!

Michelle—I’m also a massive Gillian Flynn fangirl and would’ve bought GONE GIRL blindfolded. Yes, I read that opening when I first got it, but I don’t know much else about it and don’t care because if she wrote it, it’s brilliant.

Elizabeth—I don’t recall your openings being flat and boring, but for me, something mysterious happening right in the first paragraph never hurts!

By: Clare2e

Clare2e — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 03:18:18 +0000

If I had to pick one, it would be The Yard, a nice mix of description and implication, economically doled out.

By: robyn

robyn — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 01:46:32 +0000

Absolutely – it’s the YARD!

By: Elizabeth Duncan

Elizabeth Duncan — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:51:45 +0000

I love this. My openings are flat and boring. Really makes me think. Thanks, PCN.

By: Dorie Brennecke

Dorie Brennecke — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:50:55 +0000

Cop to Corpse doesn’t interest me at all. Too abrupt for me. Gone Girls sounds intriguing and my initial thought was that would be my first choice. After re-reading them, though, I have to say The Yard grabs me the most.

By: jenn aka the picky girl

jenn aka the picky girl — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:29:19 +0000

Oooh THE YARD. I love that sort of immediate grab it gives you. I’m hooked.

By: EIREGO

EIREGO — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:24:47 +0000

THE YARD: It’s lean in that “just the facts, ma’am” vibe, like an episode of Dragnet. I was drawn in.

GONE GIRL: I love how it sucks you in with the idea that it might be one of those timeless and quirky romances, then it gets creepy. I like an author who can change my perception so quickly. Reads like the POV of a serial killer.

COP TO CORPSE: Not sure what to make of this. It’s not really grabbing me, but that’s not to say I wouldn’t keep reading. Right on the fence.

This is fun! I hope you keep doing it.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:29:08 +0000

Wow, this is a rough one. You know me, I’m all about avoiding historical fiction, but The Yard might be the one that intrigues me the most. Which is a bit surprising, because before reading the openings, I would have put the G. Flynn at the top of the list. After reading them, I might even put that third. And the worst part is this just means even more to add to my already longer than I will live TBR list.

Love this column, keep ’em coming, E!

By: Michelle Isler

Michelle Isler — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:08:47 +0000

COP TO CORPSE grabbed my attention. I would have bought Gillian Flynn’s novel without reading the first paragraph. Her books are always good.

By: Ben LeRoy

Ben LeRoy — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:54:57 +0000

COP TO CORPSE genuinely grabbed my attention. I would keep reading THE YARD, but probably not GONE GIRL.