Tuesday Intro & Teaser Tuesdays - 'This Should Be Written In Present

I haven't done a meme in ages and I have decided that this week I'm getting back on track and I'm gonna blog my heart out. Well, not quite, since I still have to work and write other things, but I will be making a genuine effort again. I've so far tried to pretend I'm still in Annecy and swimming in the lake every day, but I'll have to give up on that fantasy some time! So let's get some memes going. Thankfully the Tuesday ones are two of my favourites: Tuesday Intros is hosted by Diane over at Bibliophile by the Sea and Teaser Tuesdays are hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading.


This week I'm using This Should Be Written In Present Tense by Helle Helle and it's a Danish book from Netgalley which I just finished (review here). I really enjoyed it because it's just such an honest book in that it doesn't make any excuses or really gives any kind of background information. In that sense it sort of reminds me of, beware, pretentiousness is coming up, of Scandinavian architecture. I know, this is terrible, but it really does because Helle just bares all the bones and all of her character's insides and somehow it's beautiful.
From Denmark’s foremost novelist and master of minimalism, a unique and mesmerising new novel
This should be written in the present tense. But it isn’t.
Dorte should be at uni in Copenhagen. But she’s not.
She should probably put some curtains up in her new place. 
And maybe stop sleeping with her neighbour’s boyfriend.
Perhaps things don’t always work out the way they should.
Intro:
'I wrote too much about that step. Where I locked myself out in March. Where I sat and stared in April. Where my mum and dad stood in down jackets well into May, heads at an angle.The lilacs were in bloom. A bus swung away from the station. A hot smell of diesel, then lilacs again. My arms were bare, the air was warm and mild.' p.1
I love this beginning because it feels so stripped back and yet so honest. I know those are big words that are used about almost every single realistic, modern novel, but for this one it's really true.

TT:
'"Do you like the course? Are you getting on all right with it?""Yes, fine.""Fine means not fine at all.""No, it doesn't. Fine's fine." I said and gulped a mouthful of coffee.' p.60
If this isn't a description of a student talking about university then I don't know what it is. Don't get me wrong, I love my course, but the amount of people that just sort of trudge along, fueled by coffee, is amazing.

So, what do you think? Sound good to you or is it not to your taste?

Comments

  1. Yes, I'd keep reading "This Should Be Written . . ." The author drops a bomb there in the 4th line; after that, you really have to know what is going on!

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  2. Oh, wow, this is my first encounter with the book...and I love Scandinavian books (my grandparents immigrated from Sweden). The descriptions are definitely minimalist, but invite the reader to explore. And want to know more. Thanks for sharing...and here's mine: “THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU”

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  3. This sounds excellent... love the minimalist style!

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  4. I don't believe I've ever read a book written quite like this one. I'd read it just for the chance to experience a story in a different way.
    My Tuesday post features The Gods of Second Chances.

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  5. I think I'd need to read more before I decided. Hope you enjoy!
    Today I'm featuring The Girl Who Came Home.

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  6. I'd keep reading - I love the style, so much so I'm off to read your review now. Thanks for visiting my TT http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2014/09/02/teaser-tuesday-september-2/

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  7. Haha, it's definitely got me curious! I hope you're enjoying it!

    Thanks for stopping by my TT @ Addicted Readers! :)

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  8. Love the cover! The synopsis sounded intriguing but I think if I had only read the intro, I'd have needed a bit more to decide whether it was for me. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  9. Wow - I thought the intro was fine, but loved the blurb! This sounds interesting!

    Here's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-back-channel-stephen-l-carter/

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  10. I don't think it is one for me but the intro was eye catching.

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  11. Those sentences may be short, but they really evoke the sensations.

    Thanks for stopping by mine from Tolstoy. http://wp.me/pZnGI-ci

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  12. Intriguing tease! Wondering how they are getting through this conversation that seems so idle...must be the coffee! ;)

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  13. The spare prose is good. Thanks for sharing it. And thanks for coming by Through Raspberry Colored Glasses.

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  14. This sounds delightful, like the author is playing with the words. Isn't it fun when you discover something you really enjoyed where you least expected it. This book would have flew under my radar.
    Thanks so much for stopping by for my teaser.

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  15. I like that beginning, very real-speak.
    That teaser was good too. I'm inclined to agree with that statement. Fine is often just fine.

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  16. Sounds interesting, but a little choppy. I'd have to read more.

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  17. Coffee can be pretty important to some people. I've seen more than one all nighter fueled that way.

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  18. This one sounds interesting!
    Thanks for stopping by at my blog earlier :)

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  19. Ha ha! That teaser sure is using careful pacing and dramatization; I love it! :)

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  20. I love the style of writing shown in just a short opening paragraph. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

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  21. Juli, I do like the sound of this -- sounds good. Thanks for joining us this week.

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  22. I'd need a bit more before deciding. Thanks for sharing. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

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  23. Hmm sounds interesting! And very true, that is a great description of everyone's take on uni classes, haha. Thanks for sharing!

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  24. Haha!! Fine!! I bet!

    Thanx for visiting my TT
    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  25. I love how it the writing style seems so simple and straight to the point. Nice teasers. I hope your enjoying. Thanks for visiting my teaser tuesday :)

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  26. I agree, that's a spot-on take of "How's school?".

    That blurb is clever. I'd read it based on that.

    Thanks for visiting Write Note Reviews.

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  27. "Fine means not fine at all."

    Haha, i really love that line! Great post you have there. Welcome back to memes and enjoy your week! :)

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  28. This book sounds so good! Nice teaser and Intro. Thanks for stopping by my TT.

    Kero @ KBB

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  29. While this isn't my kind of book, you're right. There's an honesty and a simplicity about the writing style that's appealing. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

    Thanks for stopping by the blog!

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  30. Well.... it's true that most people say "fine" when they don't mean it.

    Thanks for having stopped by my blog!

    ^_^

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  31. Hahahaha, you're so right! It wasn't often that I felt like things were going better than fine, and to go into detail was too much effort. Fine is the best word to describe school. :) Great teaser!!

    Rachel @ Paper Cuts

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