First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, is from the first full-length novel by this author, and it draws heavily on his time spent in London as a nurse:

"The sun shone, having no alternative on the nothing new."

* 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 December 12.

The winner of last week's competition, who identified Love among the Ruins , by Robert Browning, is Molly Phelps, Bath University.

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