TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
I read this and was reminded of riding the T with no air conditioning:
When I get off the bus in Migrash Harusim, I can still feel where the girl leaned against my arm, as if she left wet paint there. The world outside a yeshiva feels like that now – wet paint, messy and unwelcome. Sometimes the smell of it, of treyf food, of strong cologne, literally makes me sick.
This from page 47 of Diana Spechler’s Who By Fire. Can’t you feel the sticky arm against his, and smell the cloying scents he inhales?
Do you have any strong olfactory memories, that instantly bring you back to another time or place? The scent of a fire burning in a fireplace brings back memories of my grandparents. When I was a kid they used a wood-burning stove to supplement the oil heat in their home (this was the 70s, I remember sitting in line with my parents to get gas for the car!). Everything in the house smelled of woodsmoke (in a good way), and we’d come home from their house with that scent in our hair and clothes.
Oooh, good book! I hope you’re enjoying it!
Oh of course! There’s this spray that florists use on flowers to make them shiny (and last longer, I think) and it always reminds me of my grandmother because she owned a flower/ antique store when I was little. I use the same detergent as my mom too.
Here’s mine
That is a powerful description! One strong smell that triggers memories is the smell of fish bait in a jar. My first job was at a bait and tackle shop.
That is one good teaser. I am unfortunately still waiting for this book. It was supposed to be here yesterday but wasn’t. Oh well, I don’t have great hopes for it arriving today either as it’s already getting late. I’ve heard so many good things about it too-I look forward to your review.
This may sound odd but the smell of tar-you know when they’re doing a road-always brings me back to car trips with my parents to the country. It never failed, the smell made me ill. To this day, I can’t stomach the smell.
That teaser actually made my stomach *flip*.
Lily of the Valley: I feel about 5 and makes me think of my mom. We had them in our garden when I was little. Now that I think of it, I’m not even sure if my mom LIKES Lily of the Valley…
Orange Marmalade: My Great-Grandmother put this on her plain, unsalted rice cakes. Just LOOKING at it makes me think of her.
softdrink – this is an amazing book. She writes the various voices so well! I didn’t realize you’ve read it; I’ll have to look for your review.
ladytink – yes, detergents set off memories, too! A friend sends hand-me-downs to my son, and I love the scent when they come out of the box.
Alyce – hmm, not one I smell often! I used to catch sunfish with my grandfather (while he was catching *real* fish)
Dar – I know that smell – yuck! I hope you got the book in time; it’s a great read!
Kylee – and it wasn’t an extremely graphic scene, it’s just that the narrator was so sensitive to the touch of other people (he had recently “come back” to his religion and believed bodies should be all covered, and people keep their distance.).
Another book I really want to read!
My TT post is here.
Great teaser, Dawn. The smell of woodsmoke does the same thing to me – only it reminds me of my parents because the used/use wood heat to supplement their furnace.