First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, is from a semi-autobiographical novel by a young American:

"Through the small tall bathroom window the December yard is gray and scratchy, the trees calligraphic."

* Entries should be sent to First Impressions, The Times Higher, Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1 9XY, faxed to 0171-782 3300 or emailed to theschat@thes.co.uk

The winner receives a £25 book token and the closing date is January 10. The winner of last week's competition, who identified Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale , is Andrew Battarbee of Grindleford, Derbyshire.

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