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?

[bednobs]

When I read your title I immediately thought ifvtale of 2 cities. Perhaps austen loses out coz its so long. I don't know I'd remember the whole line

[Redhelen72]

Call me Ishmael

[naomi24]

Good one, RH.  

[1ozzy]

My favourite opening line is.

It's a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.

Reminds me of my time on AB 🤔

[ichkeria]

"It was the day my grandmother exploded" is one that draws you in ;-)

[Moorea7]

"It was a bright cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen!

[Peter Pedant]

Worst first lines ( Spec) -" Ivan Ivanovitcch was a Stakhanovite!"

( someone who does extra shifts for free in the Soviet paradise, 1930).

I thought of worst first lines during a wedding speech where ( after the proem... the best man continued) and now we come to Carolina's first day at school, aged 5....

[piggynose]

The sweat wiz lashing oafay Sickboy, he wiz trembling!

From? Can you guess ?

[Tilly2]

Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.

 

Rebecca. Daphne du Maurier.

[naomi24]

Oh yes, tilly.  Great book.

[Tilly2]

'Tis.

 

That's a last line. Any guesses?

[naomi24]

'Tis'?  Frank somebody.  Irish.

[Tilly2]

Nearly there...

[naomi24]

Angela's Ashes?

[ichkeria]

Obviously Scottish: Irvine Welsh?

[Tilly2]

Correct, Naomi. Good on you!

[naomi24]

Tilly, I will never forget those poor children dragging that coal sack through the streets and the coal falling out through a hole as they went.  Great book.

[ichkeria]

That was to Piggy :-)

"“yes I said yes I will Yes.” is my favourite last line

[Tilly2]

Then there's 'Tis and Teacher Man. Great books.

[Ellipsis]

Sounds a bit like today, too ...

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.