Best First Lines

[naomi24]

Many readers can identify a book by its opening line, and Amazon Books have conducted a survey of the most recognisable, with Charles Dickens' 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities' coming out at number one.  I was surprised that Jane Austen's 'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' from 'Pride and Prejudice' trailed at number thirteen and there are some there I don't recognise at all.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12563537/Charles-Dickens-Tale-Two-Cities-Britains-favourite-start-novel.html

 

What's your number one?

[ToraToraTora]

here's another classic:

If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like.

[Canary42]

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, stood smoking a cheap cigarette on the back doorstep of Number Sixteen Hell Close.

 

Queen Camilla, by Sue Townsend

[Canary42]

TTT that sounds like Holden Caulfield (working from memory, I  think I've got that right) in Catcher in the Rye.

[naomi24]

Strange book that, TTT/Canary.  Curiously written.  I loved it - but a lot of people don't.

[MargoTester]

Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents 

[naomi24]

Oh Margo!  Little Women!  Lovely, just lovely.  

 

 

 

[Hazlinny]

"It was four-thirty p.m.  Four-thirty on Friday, the 23rd of December,1938.*

London belongs to me ...  Norman Collins

 

[MargoTester]

I loved it Naomi and the sequels, was cross when Jo didn't marry Laurie, cried when Beth died😢

[Togo]

A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct. This every sister of the Bene Gesserit knows. To begin your study of the life of Muad'Dib, then take care that you first place him in his time:

[naomi24]

I had to google that, Togo.  I havent read it but I recall my husband liked it.

[ToraToraTora]

11:01, yes

[ToraToraTora]

anyone got 10:45 yet?

[Canary42]

1045: It's not Brave New World is it (sounds a bit like it, but I can't check as I can't find it now)

[ToraToraTora]

It is Brave new world.

[naomi24]

TTT, I had to google it.  I wouldn't have recognised it.

[david small]

In the beginning.....

[naomi24]

I know that one, david.

[david small]

In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit.

[Canary42]

Wow !  Amazing what the recesses of the brain can bring forth - it was the Hatchery which gave it away.

[piggynose]

09.14 ich, yes that's the author's name, and the book is Trainspotting! Has anybody tried reading it? 

All I can say it was a challenge!