Feb 2, 2016

Review: The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty by Vendela Vida

Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter, First Paragraph every Tuesday. Share the first paragraph(s) of your current read or book interest, with information for readers.
The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty by Vendela Vida, published June 2, 2015
Genre: literary suspense
Rating: 5/5
Source: library

A young woman takes off on her own to a foreign country and has to survive after her passport and wallet are stolen. 

How she gets through the scrapes she gets into in an unfamiliar country is the basis of the novel. A little suspenseful and a bit of a travelogue at the same time, it shows what can happen to unsuspecting travelers - pickpockets, an unreliable police system, unfamiliarity with a new culture and customs, etc. 

I really enjoyed this young woman's travel and how she survives and takes on a new persona as she is stripped of her old possessions or discards them as she has to face new situations. Running away from an unpleasant situation in her past, she comes to terms with the present and begins to create a new self.

I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to finish this book.That's how interesting I found the character and how well written the story.

First chapter, first paragraph: 
When you find your seat you glance at the businessman sitting next to you and decide he's almost handsome. This is the second leg of your trip from Miami to Casablanca, and the distance traveled already muted the horror of the last two months. What's to stop you from having a conversation with this man, possibly even ordering two vodka tonics with the little lemon wedges that the flight attendant will place into our plastic cups with silver tongs? He's about your age, thirty-three, and, like you, appears to be traveling alone. 
How does the first paragraph grab you. Does it make you want to read on?

17 comments:

  1. I like the beginning enough to continue reading and I do think trying to find your way after having your things stolen sounds interesting and scary!

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  2. Yes, this is a very tempting start!
    Miss Cellany.

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  3. I love this kind of adventure story, mainly because I am too afraid to take the risks one needs to take to travel to unknown places, but love to get inside the heads of people who do. Thanks for sharing...and now I definitely want to read it. The cover and title are very intriguing too.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  4. I'd definitely keep reading. There's something about travel, especially to a foreign country, that forces new perspectives. This sounds like a great external and internal adventure.
    My Tuesday post features GIRL IN HYACINTH BLUE.

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  5. Yes, the first paragraph grabs me. What really got my attention was your statement that the character woke you up at 3:30 am! That makes me want to find this book.

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  6. I've enjoyed this author in the past and the intro appeals to me as well.

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  7. I'm not sure I'd continue reading based just on the first paragraph but coupled with the description of the book I might give it a chance.

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  8. Sounds like an interesting read! I wonder how she manages? I hope you can stop by:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/02/teaser-tuesday-icecutters-daughter-2216.html

    Colletta

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  9. Wow the fact you woke up especially to read some more definitely has me wanting to know more!

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    Replies
    1. I just happened to wake up, Cleo, and decided to read rather than try to go back to sleep!

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  10. I love to hear about books that keep you reading long into the night or that wake you up! Love the premise and would keep reading.

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  11. I would love to continue reading. Thanks for sharing

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  12. Sounds like a great book... that paragraph definitely makes me want to read on!

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  13. Harvee, this is a great opening! I'd read more. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. I love books about travels and this sounds extra good since she doesn't have her passport or wallet. Think I'll add it to my list.

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  15. Sounds totally enthralling!! I can see why you woke up so early to get it finished. I would have to see it to the end too!

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