As long as I hadn't inadvertantly picked up a Romance novel--which some of the physical descriptions reminded me of--I'd have kept going. As readers I think we repeatedly see examples of where other writers try to jam physical descriptions in early and often. Sometimes it is appropriate, other times not. Ray's point about being in the character's head and trying to think as they would be thinking in the same circumstances is the best guide.
As long as I hadn't inadvertantly picked up a Romance novel--which some of the physical descriptions reminded me of--I'd have kept going. As readers I think we repeatedly see examples of where other writers try to jam physical descriptions in early and often. Sometimes it is appropriate, other times not. Ray's point about being in the character's head and trying to think as they would be thinking in the same circumstances is the best guide.
--John