First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, is from a French war novel filmed by a famous British director:

"The insuperable gap between East and West that exists in some eyes is nothing more than an optical illusion."

* 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 e-mailed to theschat@thes.co.uk

The winner receives a £25 book voucher. The closing date is September 12.

The winner of last week's competition, who identified Speak, Memory by Vladimir Nabokov, is Stephen Holden, London College of Communication.

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