Tuesday Intro: This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage

Nonfiction, an Introduction

The tricky thing about being a writer, or about being any kind of artist, is that in addition to making art you also have to make a living. My short stories and novels have always filled my life with meaning, but, at least in the first decade of my career, they were no more capable of supporting me than my dog was. But part of what I love about novels and dogs is that they are so beautifully oblivious to economic concerns. We serve them, and in return they thrive. It isn't their responsibility to figure out where the rent is coming from.

This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage
by Ann Patchett

I've read all of Ann Patchetts books, fiction and nonfiction, and have eagerly awaited her new collection of essays. At nearly the half-way mark, I'm enjoying the audio version (read by the author) immensely and would be hard-pressed to choose a favorite. I should really read more essays...

What do you think of the opening? Would you keep reading?

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.