Here’s another idea about memorable first lines from books.
What are your favourite first sentences from books? Is there a book that you liked specially because of its first sentence? Or a book, perhaps that you didn’t like but still remember simply because of the first line?
The only first sentence I can remember off the top of my head is Proust's, Longtemps je me suis couche de bonne heure. But that's a classic! Otherwise I'm sorry to say that I can't really think of any that were particularly memorable. Maybe I'm just getting old!
13 comments:
I've never been good at remembering stuff like this. I do know that sometimes a first sentence will grab me immediately and other times not so much.
I don't remember lines from books either. First line, middle line, or Last line doesn't matter they do not stick.
The only ones I know from memory are the first lines of Pride and Prejudice and A Tale of Two Cities. P&P because it's my favorite, and A Tale of Two Cities because it's so iconic. I'm going to have to grab some of my favorite books and re-read the first lines before I do this one!
For some reason, first lines just tend to stick with me. Unfortunately, sometimes that's the only good thing about a book!
First lines, although important, do not a good book make.
I struggle to remember them on my own, too, but I tend to recognize the better ones when I hear them again.
It's possible I could remember an opening line in Spanish, but you got me with the French. :)
What ruth said. I love the first line of Pride & Prejudice. Couldn't recite it for the life of me, though.
While as a reader I prefer Great Expectations to A Tale of Two Cities, The first line of the latter "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" always sticks in my head.
Hi Marie: Thank you for the nomination. I hope all is well is beautiful Boston.
The first line is often a telling guage as to whether or not I will like a book...not always, but often.
Marie love your question and I have a couple I can remember. If its one I like I usually copy it down in my book journal.
"Call me Ishmael."
This one from "Moby-Dick" gets my vote for the greatest in American Lit.
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