First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, is from an American novelist named after his second cousin three times removed, the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner":

"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."

The winner receives a £20 book token and
the closing date is November 24.

Entries should be sent to

First Impressions
The THES
Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield
London E1 9XY

faxed to 0171-782 3300
or emailed to theschat@thes.co.uk

The winner of last week's competition, who identified Virginia Woolf's Orlando , is John Hall of Bolton.