Posted on 04/05/2023 8:34:50 PM PDT by Saije
A good first line is not always necessary because who stops reading after one sentence? But it can be extremely useful in building expectations for the style and characterisation that will follow. While book jackets can indicate a broad genre, that line can define the subgenre.
The opening may establish the tone, character, location, era or season but it can also pull a reader into the realm of the story that follows, and often into the head of the protagonist or into an alternate reality. When we open a book, we are ready to embark on a journey. The starter pistol should propel us forward. In my experience, a great opening will also raise questions that needs to be answered. Who or why or how or indeed, wtf?
In my own work, I like to set the opening line in the aftermath of a major event. I write first-person narratives and the reaction of the protagonist to this event should give the reader a good indication of the type of character... To demonstrate, here are some of my favourite openings by other writers.
1. Breakfast Wine from There Are Little Kingdoms by Kevin Barry
"They say it takes just three alcoholics to keep a small bar running in a country town and while myself and the cousin, Thomas, were doing what we could, we were a man shy, and these were difficult days for Mr Kelliher, licensee of the North Star, Pearse Street."
A whole world and three distinct characters have been created in this one sentence. Our narrator is aware of the fact that he is an alcoholic, but does Thomas know that the narrator is? Does he know that he is? Where is poor Mr Kelliher going to find a third alcoholic to keep his doors open?
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
“Punctually at six o’clock the sun set with the last yellow flash behind the Blue Mountains, a wave of violet shadow poured down Richmond Road, and the crickets and tree frogs in the fine gardens began to zing and tinkle.”
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”
Rebecca, by Daphne DuMaurier
Never heard of any of ‘em. Not one of the first lines compels me to read further.
LETTER THE FIRSTMadam,
I sit down to give you an undeniable proof of my considering your desires as indispensable orders. Ungracious then as the task may be, I shall recall to view those scandalous stages of my life, out of which I emerged, at length, to the enjoyment of every blessing in the power of love, health and fortune to bestow; whilst yet in the flower of youth, and not too late to employ the leisure afforded me by great ease and affluence, to cultivate an understanding, naturally not a despicable one, and which had, even amidst the whirl of loose pleasures I had been tossed in, exerted more observation on the characters and manners of the world than what is common to those of my unhappy profession, who, looking on all though or reflection as their capital enemy, keep it at as great a distance as they can, or destroy it without mercy.
What a great first line! I had to look it up.
I’ve been running across Fleming a lot lately in my reading about WW II. He was an amazing man.
Polydactyl cats? Meaning cats with more than 5 toes? LOL Interesting.
Yes Dickens was incredible, probably the best writer ever. If ever the title of genius should be awarded someone it was certainly him. His books will last forever as long as humanity is around. I have almost all his books and bought a reproduction a few months ago of the 1843 1st edition of “A Christmas carol”
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Facsimile-Original-Color/dp/1645940381/ref=sr_1_4?
(Once upon a time there was...
- A king! - my little readers will say immediately.
- No, kids, you're wrong. Once upon a time there was a piece of wood.)
From Le Adventure di Pinocchio, Storia di un Burattino (The Adventures of Pinocchio, The Story of a Puppet) by Carlo Collodi (Florence, Italy: Felice Paggi, 1883)
Love Douglas Adams!
I have been to that house and encountered some of the descendants of his cats. One of them followed me. I think he sensed that I'm a cat lover and wanted me to take him home.
I’ve read a lot of books, but that’s the one that grabbed me by the very first sentence.
That sure sounds like a wordy version of the 1948 short story “Knock”, by Fredric Brown.
A man I worked with and I got into a discussion about books. I bet him he could not read the first PARAGRAPH of a book I had.
DEATH IN THE LONG GRASS by Peter Hathaway Capstick.
He did and was hooked. I had to loan it till he finished.
“I turned the Chrysler onto the Florida Turnpike with Rollo Kramer’s headless body in the trunk, and all the time I’m thinking I should’ve put some plastic down.”
Gun Monkeys by Victor Gischler, 2001
“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed”.
"Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, 'and what is the use of a book,' thought Alice 'without pictures or conversation?'"
I’m not sure he’d want one.
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