Authors, Writers, Publishers, and Book Readers
Vote on opening lines of novels - read on or put back on the shelf?
There's much discussion on the importance of that first line. Does your favorite novel(s) opening lines live up to the premise that it must grab the reader then or lose them forever? I thought it would be interesting to experiment. I'll share the first few lines of a novel. See whether it would make you want to continue reading.
Please rate it "read on" or "put back on the shelf", based solely upon those opening lines. :)
Book: Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier.
Lightning has struck me all my life. Just once it was real. I shouldn't remember it, for I was little more than a baby. But I do remember. I was in a field, where there were horses and riders performing tricks. Then a storm blew in, and a woman--not Mam--picked me up and brought me under a tree. As she held me tight I looked up and saw the pattern of black leaves against a white sky.
Definitely gets a "read on" vote from me! :) What about you?
P.S. It would be nice if everyone could join in with opening lines from a book they have too. Just be clear when you vote which book you're referring to please. :)
Please rate it "read on" or "put back on the shelf", based solely upon those opening lines. :)
Book: Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier.
Lightning has struck me all my life. Just once it was real. I shouldn't remember it, for I was little more than a baby. But I do remember. I was in a field, where there were horses and riders performing tricks. Then a storm blew in, and a woman--not Mam--picked me up and brought me under a tree. As she held me tight I looked up and saw the pattern of black leaves against a white sky.
Definitely gets a "read on" vote from me! :) What about you?
P.S. It would be nice if everyone could join in with opening lines from a book they have too. Just be clear when you vote which book you're referring to please. :)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kay Elizabeth on
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Book: Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier.
Lightning has struck me all my life. Just once it was real. I shouldn't remember it, for I was little more than a baby. But I do remember. I was in a field, where there were horses and riders performing tricks. Then a storm blew in, and a woman--not Mam--picked me up and brought me under a tree. As she held me tight I looked up and saw the pattern of black leaves against a white sky.
That would be a "read on" IMHO. For two reasons: I like the dramatic lightning storm setting and 2) it makes me want to know about all the other times when the lightning struck her that wasn't real. What does she mean by that? Definitely hooked me in there because I want to know!
MY VOTE: READ ON!!
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Permalink Reply by Callie Leah on
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Well...It just kind of seems confusing to me. None of it makes sense. I probably wouldn't read it, if it were me. Sorry! :)
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Permalink Reply by scribbler on
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No need to say sorry, Callie! That's the whole point of the thread, saying what we do and don't like and why. I think it will help each of us be better writers. What appeals to one person doesn't always appeal to the next and even when it does, it can be for different reasons.
Callie Leah said:Well...It just kind of seems confusing to me. None of it makes sense. I probably wouldn't read it, if it were me. Sorry! :)
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Permalink Reply by Dairenna VonRavenstone on
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I would continue reading. I want to know why this strange woman has picked up the child and exactly what she means by "Lightning has struck me all my life. Just once it was real."
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Thanks for joining in! Please elaborate on why you're not interested, Cricket. What makes you want to stop reading and put it back on the shelf?
Cricket said:I like some of the lines, but.....not interested;)
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That's my favorite part too, Dairenna. I nearly just posted those two lines actually. :) I decided a paragraph was fairer. Most would give a book at least that much before deciding yay or nay.
Dairenna VonRavenstone said:I would continue reading. I want to know why this strange woman has picked up the child and exactly what she means by "Lightning has struck me all my life. Just once it was real."
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Permalink Reply by Cricket on
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Scribbler, methinks the structure throws me off, maybe arranged somewhat differently it would have flowed better for my own tastes. Hope that helps;)
scribbler said:Thanks for joining in! Please elaborate on why you're not interested, Cricket. What makes you want to stop reading and put it back on the shelf?
Cricket said:I like some of the lines, but.....not interested;)
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It does, very much so. Thanks for the extra feedback! I think when we know why readers like or dislike a book, it helps us improve our own writing.
Cricket said:Scribbler, methinks the structure throws me off, maybe arranged somewhat differently it would have flowed better for my own tastes. Hope that helps;)
scribbler said:Thanks for joining in! Please elaborate on why you're not interested, Cricket. What makes you want to stop reading and put it back on the shelf?
Cricket said:I like some of the lines, but.....not interested;)
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Okay, next book is up and same guidelines apply. Please rate it "read on" or "put back on the shelf", based solely upon those opening lines. :)
The Glass Room by Simon Mawer ( this was a finalist for the 2009 Man Booker Prize)
Chapter Title: Return.
Oh yes, we're here.
She knew, even after all these years. Something about the slope of the road, the way the trajectory of the car began to curve upwards, a perception of shape and motion that, despite being unused for thirty years, was still engraved on her mind, to be reawakened by the subtle coincidence of movement and inclination.
'We're here,' she said out loud. She grabbed her daughter's hand and squeezed. Their escort in the back of the car shifted on the shiny plastic seat, perhaps in relief at the prospect of imminent escape. She could smell him. Damp cloth (it was raining) and cheap aftershave and old sweat.
Cast your vote please! Read on or put back on the shelf. :) . I'm on the fence here. I'd probably read on although it didn't grab me much and only because I knew it was up for the Booker prize.
So I'm voting read on.
If you liked that, you can read the full first chapter at his site and learn more about the book there.
http://www.simonmawer.com/TheGlassRoom.htm
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Chapter Title: Return.
Oh yes, we're here. She knew, even after all these years. Something about the slope of the road, the way the trajectory of the car began to curve upwards, a perception of shape and motion that, despite being unused for thirty years, was still engraved on her mind, to be reawakened by the subtle coincidence of movement and inclination.
'We're here,' she said out loud. She grabbed her daughter's hand and squeezed. Their escort in the back of the car shifted on the shiny plastic seat, perhaps in relief at the prospect of imminent escape. She could smell him. Damp cloth (it was raining) and cheap aftershave and old sweat.
I'd read on for a chapter or two. I'd want to see if it was going to be one of those long, drawn-out books or not. If the story doesn't move at a reasonable pace, I get antsy. :)
My Vote: Read ON!
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Read on-but I'm only mildly curious at this point. Being up for an award makes little difference to me.
scribbler said:Okay, next book is up and same guidelines apply. Please rate it "read on" or "put back on the shelf", based solely upon those opening lines. :)
The Glass Room by Simon Mawer ( this was a finalist for the 2009 Man Booker Prize)Chapter Title: Return.
Oh yes, we're here.
She knew, even after all these years. Something about the slope of the road, the way the trajectory of the car began to curve upwards, a perception of shape and motion that, despite being unused for thirty years, was still engraved on her mind, to be reawakened by the subtle coincidence of movement and inclination.'We're here,' she said out loud. She grabbed her daughter's hand and squeezed. Their escort in the back of the car shifted on the shiny plastic seat, perhaps in relief at the prospect of imminent escape. She could smell him. Damp cloth (it was raining) and cheap aftershave and old sweat.
Cast your vote please! Read on or put back on the shelf. :) . I'm on the fence here. I'd probably read on although it didn't grab me much and only because I knew it was up for the Booker prize.
So I'm voting read on.
If you liked that, you can read the full first chapter at his site and learn more about the book there.
http://www.simonmawer.com/TheGlassRoom.htm
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