This week's First Impressions comes from a plain talker from a bleak town who was forced to govern her feelings strictly: "There was no possibility of taking a walk that day."
Entries should be submitted to First Impressions, The THES, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1 9XY, faxed to 0171 782 3300 or emailed to theschat@thes.co.uk.
The winner receives a Pounds 20 book token and the closing date is February 18.
The winner of last week's competition, who correctly identified Primo Levi's If Not Now, When?, is Timothy Bewes of London, W1.