First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, is from a prize-winning novel about Africa:

"It was only a two-day crossing from Piraeus to Alexandria, but as soon as I saw the dingy little Greek steamer I felt I ought to have made other arrangements."

* 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 October 31. The winner of last week's competition, who identified Robert Burton's The Anatomy of Melancholy , is Pauline Wardleworth of Dagenham.

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