From Susan/Miranda:
Susan/Sarah's away on much-needed family leave from the WordWenches today. In her place, we're inviting YOU to supply today's blog from the novel you're currently reading. We've done this before, and it's been quite entertaining -- and enlightening.
Since many of you said you preferred to check out a novel by sampling the middle, rather than the beginning, this time let's sample those middles. Please share with us the title, author, and the first sentence or two of CHAPTER EIGHT of your current read -- and let the discussions begin!
I'm willing to begin with a favorite "hero" here among the WordWenches. This is from "Flashman and the Mountain of Lights" by George MacDonald Fraser.
"If there was one thing worse than Jawaheer's murder, it was his funeral, when his wives and slave-girls were roasted alive along with his corpse, according to custom. Like much beastliness in the world, suttee is inspired by religion, which means there's no sense or reason to it -- I've yet to meet an Indian who could tell me why it's done, even, except that it's a hallowed ritual, like posting a sentry to mind the Duke of Wellington's horse fifty years after the old fellow had kicked the bucket."