Famous First Lines
A most unusual collection for book lovers
When I was in college, I collected the first lines of books. I had a journal to hold my collection and, whenever I came across a particularly good first line, I wrote it down.
Two of my favorite lines from those early days of my collection were:
“It was inevitable: the scent of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of unrequited love.” -Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Love in the Time of Cholera
and
“Last night, I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” -Daphne Du Maurier, Rebecca
I had these lines memorized and would trot them out during late night literary discussions with my fellow literature major friends. I cringe when I think of my younger self doing that, but she must have been onto something because now that I’m trying my hand at writing, I’m realizing that opening lines are my superpower. At least I know how to start story. In fact, I changed the first line of my story, The Canoe Trip, after reading Shirley Jackson’s first line to We Have Always Lived in the Castle*.
The great thing about collecting first lines of books is that it encourages you to start reading a book with intention. You open the book, read the first line, and decide if it is good enough to add to your collection. By setting that intention to pay attention to that first line, you either set yourself up for a great reading experience or decide the book isn’t worth your time.
I love going back into my collection and rereading the first line on it’s own. There’s something magical about seeing the first line standing on it’s own, away from all the rest of the text. Sometimes it was so well crafted, that the whole story line comes rushing back to me. Other times, I’m intrigued, eager to reread the book to see where the first line may take me on a second reading.
Take E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web for instance. I have warm, fuzzy, tear-filled memories of reading the book when I was young, but when I looked back at it’s first line, "Where's Papa going with that ax?" said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast., I think I may need to go back and read it again, to see what I missed when was a child.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about keeping track of first and last lines, just to see how they differ and what I might take away from them.
How about you? What’s your favorite first (or last) line from a book?
At the check-out desk….
I do apologize for leaving the check-out desk unmanned last week. Your librarian (me) called in sick with bronchitis. Actually, I’m 3 weeks in and still not 100% better. I certainly hope all my library card holders out there (you) are staying healthy.
This illness has knocked me for a loop and I have been watching more TV than I would like to admit (Gilded Age) and reading happy, holiday books (Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan). I recommend both if you find yourself needing to rest.
Wishing you health and happy reading!
*In case you were wondering, here’s are the first lines of We Have Always Lived in the Castle:
My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. I have often thought that with any luck at all I could have been born a werewolf, because the two middle fingers on both my hands are the same length, but I have had to be content with what I had. I dislike washing myself, and dogs, and noise. I like my sister Constance, and Richard Plantagenet, and Amanita phalloides, the death-cup mushroom. Everyone else in my family is dead. -Shirley Jackson
Do you know anyone who loves to read? I hope you will tell them about The Cozy Library!
Hope you’re feeling better. “Numbers floated around my head like stars.” From The Paris Library. I think you recommended this book and I’m loving it.
Feel better!