First Impressions

This week's competition, in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, is from a writer once famously described as "English literature's performing flea":

"My attention was drawn to the spots on my chest when I was in my bath, singing, if I remember rightly, the Toreador song from the opera Carmen."

* 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 receives a £25 book voucher. The closing date is December 4.

The winner of last week's competition, who identified The Longest Journey by E.M Forster, is Ian Fishwick of Manchester University.

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