First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, is from a novel that irritated Dr Johnson:

"An author ought to consider himself not as a gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary at which all persons are welcome for their money."

The winner receives a £25 Blackwell's voucher. The closing date is August 5.

Entries, including postal address, should be sent to

First Impressions
The THES
Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield
London E1W 1BX

faxed to 020 7782 3300
or emailed to theschat@thes.co.uk

The winner of last week's competition, who identified William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury, is Jenny Keaveney of the University of Kent at Canterbury.

THES (TSL Education Ltd) and its associated companies may from time to time wish to process, or disclose your data to approved third-party companies, in order to monitor our service and send you future promotions. If you do not wish us to do this, please notify us by writing 'No promotions' on your entry.