First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, was written by the first graduate of a new creative writing department:

"The play - for which Briony designed the posters, programmes and tickets, constructed the sales booth out of a folding screen tippedon its side, and lined the collection box in red crepe paper - was written by her in a two day tempest of composition, causing her to miss a breakfast and a lunch."

The winner receives a £25 book voucher. The closing date is September 20.

Entries, including postal address, should be sent to

First Impressions
The Times Higher
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 F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Beautiful and Damned , was Peter Cotgreave of London WC1.

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