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1A_musing
A new thread --
Here's the first line:
"To begin at the beginning: It is Spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black, the cobblestones silent and the hunched, courter's-and-rabbits' wood limping invisible down to the sloeblack, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat bobbin sea."
I'm likely to be away much of the day - if you really think you've got it, just propose the next line and go on.
Here's the first line:
"To begin at the beginning: It is Spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black, the cobblestones silent and the hunched, courter's-and-rabbits' wood limping invisible down to the sloeblack, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat bobbin sea."
I'm likely to be away much of the day - if you really think you've got it, just propose the next line and go on.
2teelgee
Don't have a clue, but what an interesting line! Poetic and rhythmic. Must be a poet. It has an ee cummings ring to it, but I don't think he wrote any fiction.
3laytonwoman3rd
Hmm...it made me think of Dylan Thomas...those last words are very reminiscent of the cadence of a similar line in A Child's Christmas in Wales, but the words are different. I think I'd wager on it being his work, but what, I don't know.
4Irisheyz77
I tried googling it for you laytonwoman to see if you were right...but nothing popped up in my search!!!
I think google has gone on strike or something. lol
I think google has gone on strike or something. lol
5laytonwoman3rd
Oh, I googled it. I found it. I"m just being honorable, and keeping it to myself. Try just looking for the "courter's-and-rabbits" bit.
6A_musing
I didn't think this would be this hard! Sorry I haven't been around to drop hints.
This was a work of fiction that was in a fairly unusual form. The subject was a day in the life of a town. I shall neither confirm nor deny ee cumming or dylan thomas, but will not the prior posters are all pretty astute.
This was a work of fiction that was in a fairly unusual form. The subject was a day in the life of a town. I shall neither confirm nor deny ee cumming or dylan thomas, but will not the prior posters are all pretty astute.
7QueenOfDenmark
The day in the life bit made me wonder about James Joyce, so I'm going to guess at The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
I'm guessing at that because I think this is the one where he had the worlds longest single sentance in it and because I think it all takes place in one day.
I'm guessing at that because I think this is the one where he had the worlds longest single sentance in it and because I think it all takes place in one day.
8philosojerk
I just checked my copy of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and that's not it.
9QueenOfDenmark
I've just re-read the clue and it says the day in the life of a town so I'm putting that together with the Dylan Thomas bit and saying Under Milk Wood.
10Irisheyz77
jody - I googled it using the search string mentioned by laytonwoman and it is indeed Under Milk Wood. Kudos.
The next line is yours. =)
The next line is yours. =)
11A_musing
Excellent Jody! I think Laytonwoman deserves credit for recognizing Dylan Thomas' unique voice.
If anyone has a couple of free hours on a Sunday and wants to read a great, short piece of fiction, try Under Milk Wood. It's written as a "play for voices", so it's especially good when read aloud.
If anyone has a couple of free hours on a Sunday and wants to read a great, short piece of fiction, try Under Milk Wood. It's written as a "play for voices", so it's especially good when read aloud.
12QueenOfDenmark
Thanks, and thanks to Laytonwoman for putting Dylan Thomas in my mind. I read this a long time ago at school and really want to get hold of a copy and read it again now.
I'm not home so can't browse my library for a new line but will use the book I have with me. This is a first novel by an American woman.
"They were married during the war, in Santa Barbara, after Mass one morning in the old mission church."
I'm not home so can't browse my library for a new line but will use the book I have with me. This is a first novel by an American woman.
"They were married during the war, in Santa Barbara, after Mass one morning in the old mission church."
13laytonwoman3rd
Thanks for the nods, everybody. Dylan Thomas's "unique voice" is a favorite of mine. But I've never read Under Milk Wood. I will now.
14QueenOfDenmark
#13 - at school we listened to an audio version, I think read by Richard Burton, as well as reading the book and it was fabulous. I don't think we really appreciated the book at first but listening to it in such a great voice was spellbinding for everyone. The whole class was absolutely silent and that did not happen often. If you can get hold of an audio copy then you should.
15QueenOfDenmark
It's been a bit quiet with this one so I think I'll give another clue.
"They were married during the war, in Santa Barbara, after Mass one morning in the old mission church. Teddy was solemn; he took the Mass very seriously. Yvette, in a veiled hat and an ivory dress that wasn't a gown, was distracted by the idea that she was in California, without her father there to give her away, and she was about to change her life and her name."
This is the female author's first novel but she has since written a sequal to this book. Her two initials are the same letter. This book was shortlisted for the 2005 Orange Prize for fiction and the author has received a Guggenheim Fellowship.
"They were married during the war, in Santa Barbara, after Mass one morning in the old mission church. Teddy was solemn; he took the Mass very seriously. Yvette, in a veiled hat and an ivory dress that wasn't a gown, was distracted by the idea that she was in California, without her father there to give her away, and she was about to change her life and her name."
This is the female author's first novel but she has since written a sequal to this book. Her two initials are the same letter. This book was shortlisted for the 2005 Orange Prize for fiction and the author has received a Guggenheim Fellowship.
16thorold
The only book on the 2005 shortlist I've read is A short history of tractors in Ukrainian, and it definitely isn't that, unless I'm getting very mixed up. Actually, I know it isn't, because the Guardian page that came up on Googling "orange prize 2005" has a synopsis of each book, and I couldn't help seeing "Santa Barbara" and "Yvette" in one of them...
17QueenOfDenmark
It's not 'Tractors' (which is a good book though) so I think I'll give another clue. I've just had a look at my library and it says there are only 202 of these books on LT which surprised me as I thought it would be a lot more popular. So sorry for picking an obscure one but it was the only book I had with me at the time.
This book and it's sequal were named in the New York Times as Notable Books. This book was published in 2003 and the sequal in 2006. The book I am describing tells the story of four generations of the same family, starting during World War 2 and bringing us up to the present.
I've given the first lines so now I will give the final ones: "In the dining room, they didn't wait. There were clinks and warm voices as the rest of them lifted their coffee cups and toasted - what had Jamie meant to toast? Yvette, or the family, or the centuary about to begin. Or the cooks, or the patriarch, or the boy scion who would carry the family on - who were all standing in the kitchen in silence, almost ready to go back in."
This book and it's sequal were named in the New York Times as Notable Books. This book was published in 2003 and the sequal in 2006. The book I am describing tells the story of four generations of the same family, starting during World War 2 and bringing us up to the present.
I've given the first lines so now I will give the final ones: "In the dining room, they didn't wait. There were clinks and warm voices as the rest of them lifted their coffee cups and toasted - what had Jamie meant to toast? Yvette, or the family, or the centuary about to begin. Or the cooks, or the patriarch, or the boy scion who would carry the family on - who were all standing in the kitchen in silence, almost ready to go back in."
18Irisheyz77
I don't know what the book is but the more clues you give the more interesting it sounds.
*waits patiently for the answer so I know which book to add to my TBR wish list*
*waits patiently for the answer so I know which book to add to my TBR wish list*
19teelgee
I'm clueless too. It does bring up something I've been thinking about when we run out of first lines (ha ha) -- let's do last lines! Unless, of course, they're spoilers.
20clianthusalba
Beginning of Under Milk Wood, Dylan Thomas. Don't have a copy so can't go on.
21Irisheyz77
teelgee....we can always turn this into a first or last line game...with the poster stating which line they are using...because sometimes the last line is more memorable then then first. =)
22thorold
We'd have to decide what "last line" means - if it's "last sentence", we would have to give Ulysses a miss...
23philosojerk
Can we please not use last lines? Even if some think a particular line is not particularly "spoiler"ish, others might. A line of text that could seem quite innocuous to a poster, can actually give a good bit away to someone beginning a new book.
24QueenOfDenmark
I'm not sure what other clues to give so I've been on the website and found the following:
The author is the older sister of a member of the group The Decemberists.
She has written for the New Yorker and The New York Times.
The sequal to this book (which begins in 1979, even though the first book brings us up to the present) could actually be called a companion piece, rather than a sequal and both books could be read alone without the need to read the other.
A quote from the Los Angeles Times says: "{This family} may just be the most facinating, engrossing American family since the Louds."
And a final clue that might give it away:
The title of this book includes people who do not tell the truth and people who are holy.
The author is the older sister of a member of the group The Decemberists.
She has written for the New Yorker and The New York Times.
The sequal to this book (which begins in 1979, even though the first book brings us up to the present) could actually be called a companion piece, rather than a sequal and both books could be read alone without the need to read the other.
A quote from the Los Angeles Times says: "{This family} may just be the most facinating, engrossing American family since the Louds."
And a final clue that might give it away:
The title of this book includes people who do not tell the truth and people who are holy.
25philosojerk
Is there a book called Liars and Priests?
Hmm.... no touchstone loading, so I'm clearly off... ;)
Hmm.... no touchstone loading, so I'm clearly off... ;)
27philosojerk
Hmm... I have a book called Papal Sin, but it's written by a man ;)
28QueenOfDenmark
#25 - you almost had the title here. Just one word out.
30QueenOfDenmark
Yes!!! Well done teelgee. I didn't think that one would be so obscure.
I'd recommend it too, it's a good story and the writing is lovely.
ETA: Who are the Loud's? In the clue on #24 I gave a quote from The Los Angeles Times that mentioned them but I don't know who they are?
So, teelgee, your go.
I'd recommend it too, it's a good story and the writing is lovely.
ETA: Who are the Loud's? In the clue on #24 I gave a quote from The Los Angeles Times that mentioned them but I don't know who they are?
So, teelgee, your go.
31teelgee
The Louds were a family that were featured in a live PBS series in, I think, the 1970s. It was sort of a reality show -- they set up cameras in their house and we got to see their everyday interactions, etc. It was an interesting experiment. An American Family, I think it was called.
Ok, I'll be back shortly with another line!
Ok, I'll be back shortly with another line!
32teelgee
And the next line is:
"She was so deeply imbedded in my consciousness that for the first year of school I seemed to have believed that each of my teachers was my mother in disguise."
"She was so deeply imbedded in my consciousness that for the first year of school I seemed to have believed that each of my teachers was my mother in disguise."
34laytonwoman3rd
That's the desperate Portnoy speaking, I believe.
Portnoy's Complaint
"This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it."
Portnoy's Complaint
"This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it."
35QueenOfDenmark
#34 - It's The Princess Bride, I know it is.
I'm off to check.
I'm back, I checked and it is. I love that book and the film.
Okay, I'll try to find a less obscure book than last time.
I'm off to check.
I'm back, I checked and it is. I love that book and the film.
Okay, I'll try to find a less obscure book than last time.
36QueenOfDenmark
Right, found one. There are more than 1000 copies of this on on LT so it's fairly popular. It's also one of my personal favourites.
"When a day that you happen to know is Wednesday starts off by sounding like Sunday, there is something seriously wrong somewhere."
"When a day that you happen to know is Wednesday starts off by sounding like Sunday, there is something seriously wrong somewhere."
37Booksloth
Thanks for the link Philo! That's the Day of the Triffids. Will go check before posting new one.
38Booksloth
Must admit, I think this is quite a hard one but nearly 3,000 of us have got it.
"Barrabas came to us by sea, the child Clara wrote in her delicate calligraphy."
(Anyway, that'll teach you all to run off while I'm not looking.)
"Barrabas came to us by sea, the child Clara wrote in her delicate calligraphy."
(Anyway, that'll teach you all to run off while I'm not looking.)
39Irisheyz77
a hard one? from you Booksloth?!? never! *lol*
;-)
This one sounds so familar.....
Is it House of the spirits by Isabel Allende? Definitely reminds me of Allende.
;-)
This one sounds so familar.....
Is it House of the spirits by Isabel Allende? Definitely reminds me of Allende.
40philosojerk
This sounds very familiar to me.
*wanders off scratching her head*
*wanders off scratching her head*
42Irisheyz77
O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend The brightest heaven of invention, A kingdom for a stage, princes to act And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
44philosojerk
I can't tell if thorold is hazarding a (correct) guess in 43, but the quote is from King Henry the Fifth.
45Booksloth
#39 That was meant to be hard! You could at least have gone away and thought for a bit!
And Thorold is right - I read Henry V over and over for a year while at uni so if there's one book I definitely know it's that! Your turn Thorold.
And Thorold is right - I read Henry V over and over for a year while at uni so if there's one book I definitely know it's that! Your turn Thorold.
46Irisheyz77
Sorry Booksloth next time I'll pretend to ponder it more. But this is one of those few that I just knew right away. Normally when that happens someone got to the answer before me. =)
Thorold - that is from Henry V so the next line is yours.
Thorold - that is from Henry V so the next line is yours.
47thorold
This is probably another easy one, but it's a favourite of mine:
"Like most people I lived for a long time with my mother and father. My father liked to watch the wrestling, my mother liked to wrestle; it didn't matter what. She was in the white corner and that was that."
"Like most people I lived for a long time with my mother and father. My father liked to watch the wrestling, my mother liked to wrestle; it didn't matter what. She was in the white corner and that was that."
50teelgee
Ok, here's the next:
"I have been afraid of putting air in a tire ever since I saw a tractor tire blow up and throw Newt Hardbines's father over the top of the Standard Oil sign."
"I have been afraid of putting air in a tire ever since I saw a tractor tire blow up and throw Newt Hardbines's father over the top of the Standard Oil sign."
51fyrefly98
I know that one! Normally this thread makes me feel really horribly under-read.
...but I'm going to let someone else have a crack at it, since I have no books handy for a decent next first line.
...but I'm going to let someone else have a crack at it, since I have no books handy for a decent next first line.
52Booksloth
The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver
54QueenOfDenmark
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Saffran Foer
I just went to double check the book and it is, so I'll just find something else for a first line.
I just went to double check the book and it is, so I'll just find something else for a first line.
55QueenOfDenmark
"The storm came up out of the southwest like a fiend, stalking its prey on legs of lightning."
56Irisheyz77
I don't know it....but that's a good first line.
57QueenOfDenmark
I'll be out for awhile today so I'll give another clue:
This book is the first of a series but so far only one other has been published. They are both beautifully illustrated by the author, who I think is British but now living in America.
This book is the first of a series but so far only one other has been published. They are both beautifully illustrated by the author, who I think is British but now living in America.
58QueenOfDenmark
Okay, this one seems to have made everyone go quiet so I'll give another clue.
The story centres around a young girl and the action takes place in both our world and another one. The girl is from a small town in America.
I have both this book and it's sequal in my library.
The story centres around a young girl and the action takes place in both our world and another one. The girl is from a small town in America.
I have both this book and it's sequal in my library.
59Irisheyz77
Since its been more than 24 hrs without a nibble I googled the line and got Abarat by Clive Barker. jody, you receive a cookie for stumping the group. =)
"In the pleasant district of merry England which is watered by the river Don, there extended in ancient times a large forest, covering the greater part of the beautiful hills and valleys ehich lie in between Sheffield and the pleasant town on Doncaster."
"In the pleasant district of merry England which is watered by the river Don, there extended in ancient times a large forest, covering the greater part of the beautiful hills and valleys ehich lie in between Sheffield and the pleasant town on Doncaster."
60philosojerk
I'm getting Robin Hood vibes from that quote, but I can't say that I've read any books based on the Robin Hood story, and as a touchstone it brings up hundreds of options...
61dreamlikecheese
Is it Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott??
62dreamlikecheese
It's been a few hours without a response so I went and looked it up to see if I was right. I was. So here's the next line:
"I write this sitting in the kitchen sink."
"I write this sitting in the kitchen sink."
63Booksloth
Oh my God! I know that so well!!! I have no idea what it's from but I know I've read it! Off to ponder and fret.
64thorold
It's I capture the castle, isn't it?
66thorold
OK this should be another easy one (I'm at work, so the supply of novels is a bit limited):
"High, high above the North Pole, on the first day of 1969, two professors of English Literature approached each other at a combined velocity of 1200 miles per hour."
"High, high above the North Pole, on the first day of 1969, two professors of English Literature approached each other at a combined velocity of 1200 miles per hour."
67scaifea
Oh Oh, I finally know one!!! It's Changing Places by David Lodge, no?
69scaifea
YES!!! I've been feeling dumber and dumber as I've been reading this thread and not knowing any of the lines, but now finally I feel a little better! Now, next one...
"She had been running for four days now, a harum-scarum tumbling flight through passages and tunnels."
This is technically not the first line - it's the first line of the first chapter, and there's a prologue preceding it, but since a major character is mention in the first sentence of the prologue, I thought I'd give this one instead.
"She had been running for four days now, a harum-scarum tumbling flight through passages and tunnels."
This is technically not the first line - it's the first line of the first chapter, and there's a prologue preceding it, but since a major character is mention in the first sentence of the prologue, I thought I'd give this one instead.
70QueenOfDenmark
#59 - yes it was Abarat and thank you for my cookie.
I knew your quote too because I live in Doncaster and live right near the river Don. I drive over it every day and am about fifteen minutes away from Conisborough Castle, which is featured in the book.
I'm stumped by this latest one though.
I knew your quote too because I live in Doncaster and live right near the river Don. I drive over it every day and am about fifteen minutes away from Conisborough Castle, which is featured in the book.
I'm stumped by this latest one though.
72Irisheyz77
Fyrefly98 - I googled it and you were right. (I love google) so the next line is yours.
73fyrefly98
It'll be a while until I'm near enough my books to get one... somehow I doubt that anyone is going to guess the first line of The Statistical Sleuth or Principles of Population Genetics or the like, which is all I have to hand at the moment.
If anyone's got one they'd like to post, go ahead.
If anyone's got one they'd like to post, go ahead.
75Irisheyz77
scaifea - how was Neverwhere?
76ljreader
Hello I'm new to this game and this website. I'll never guess one but I'll throw this one out for you.."Almustafa, the chosen and the beloved, who was a drawn unto his own day, had waited twelve years in the city of Orphalese for his ship that was to return and bear him back to the isle of his birth."
77Medellia
#76: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, yes?
79Medellia
My mother-in-law bought me a copy for Christmas a few years back. I always cherish the books I receive as gifts. :)
Off to grab a book from the shelves...
Off to grab a book from the shelves...
80Medellia
"It seems increasingly likely that I really will undertake the expedition that has been preoccupying my imagination now for some days."
81A_musing
Isn't that Frankenstein?
85scaifea
#76 Irisheyz77: Well, I'm about halfway through it right now (that's why I used it - it was the only novel I had at hand at work today), and so far I very much like it, but Neil Gaiman can do no wrong in my eyes.
86thorold
Haven't got a copy here, but is it The remains of the day?
87ljreader
#75 I love the line "Even as slaves humble themselves before a tyrant and praise him though he slays them"
88thorold
>86 thorold:
...oh, I have got a copy: filed under I for Ishiguro, not K for Kazuo, of course. (Homer Simpson noise)
Next line, then:
"One may as well begin with Helen's letters to her sister."
...oh, I have got a copy: filed under I for Ishiguro, not K for Kazuo, of course. (Homer Simpson noise)
Next line, then:
"One may as well begin with Helen's letters to her sister."
89Booksloth
That's Howard's End, Forster
90Booksloth
Just checked that, so I'll carry on.
"Beyond the Indian hamlet, upon a forlorn strand, I happened on a trail of recent footprints."
"Beyond the Indian hamlet, upon a forlorn strand, I happened on a trail of recent footprints."
91Medellia
#86 I ducked out for a few there. Good work!
#90 I know it and love it, but I'll leave it to someone else.
#90 I know it and love it, but I'll leave it to someone else.
92thorold
>90 Booksloth:
This time you've got me saying "I know that, I know that..." but not finding it. And it will be so obvious when someone gets it.
This time you've got me saying "I know that, I know that..." but not finding it. And it will be so obvious when someone gets it.
93Booksloth
I'll wait until tomorrow (UK time before I start posting clues but I'm sure someone will have got it by then.
94ChocolateMuse
Something by Kipling? Probably not...
95thorold
This is really frustrating - there's a huge temptation to Google it, but I'm resisting in the hope of inspiration.
I don't think it can be Kipling, because you wouldn't say "Indian hamlet" in India - sounds more like South or North America. I can't make up my mind whether "forlorn strand" is a modern writer being deliberately archaic, or a 17th or 18th century writer. I thought of Aphra Behn, but it doesn't seem to be her. Defoe-but-not-Robinson Crusoe?? Louis de Bernieres in South American mode?? Marina Warner??? Who knows...
I don't think it can be Kipling, because you wouldn't say "Indian hamlet" in India - sounds more like South or North America. I can't make up my mind whether "forlorn strand" is a modern writer being deliberately archaic, or a 17th or 18th century writer. I thought of Aphra Behn, but it doesn't seem to be her. Defoe-but-not-Robinson Crusoe?? Louis de Bernieres in South American mode?? Marina Warner??? Who knows...
96Booksloth
No, you're heading off in way the wrong direction. This book is by a modern (some might even say, post-modern) British writer. It falls easily within the 1,000+ rule. It was shortlisted for a major literary prize in the first five years of the 21st century (which, IMO, it should have won) and if nobody gets it before I have to go out this afternoon I will post the first line of the blurb on the back cover which should give the game away instantly.
98QueenOfDenmark
Okay, this one has nearly 6,000 copies showing so it should be guessed quickly. Also I'm giving two first lines, the one from the prologue and the one from chapter one.
"The story that follows is one I never intended to commit to paper."
"In 1972 I was sixteen - young, my father said, to be traveling with him on his diplomatic missions."
"The story that follows is one I never intended to commit to paper."
"In 1972 I was sixteen - young, my father said, to be traveling with him on his diplomatic missions."
99Irisheyz77
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova??
100Booksloth
Or, failing that, Labyrinth by Kate Mosse. Can't check either as I've sold or given away both mine but I suspect Irisheyz is right.
102QueenOfDenmark
It is The Historian, well done Irisheyz.
103Irisheyz77
We came on the wind of the carnival.
104emmab First Message
Chocolat by Joanne Harris One of my favorite books.
"Things started to fall apart at home when my brother, Jaja, did not go to communion and Papa flung his heavy missal across the room and broke the figurines on the etagere."
"Things started to fall apart at home when my brother, Jaja, did not go to communion and Papa flung his heavy missal across the room and broke the figurines on the etagere."
105Irisheyz77
More than 24hrs has passed so I googled the line. Its from Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
First person to read this please post a new first line. =)
First person to read this please post a new first line. =)
107izzybee
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters?
108philosojerk
I looked it up, izzybee, and that's right. Your turn :)
109izzybee
"The morning before Easter Sunday, June Kapshaw was walking down the clogged main street of oil boomtown Williston, North Dakota, killing time before the noon bus arrived that would take her home."
112teelgee
"Like the brief doomed flare of exploding suns that registers dimly on blind men's eyes, the beginning of the horror passed almost unnoticed; in the shriek of what followed, in fact, was forgotten and perhaps not connected to the horror at all."
113QueenOfDenmark
I think that's The Exorcist but it's been a while since I read it and I don't have a copy.
115dreamlikecheese
I googled it and you're right jodyreadseverything...
116QueenOfDenmark
Thank you. I'll be five minutes, just checking for a good first line.
117QueenOfDenmark
"When M*** L***** was sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle, everybody said she was the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen."
This should be a really easy one, it's a very popular book on here.
This should be a really easy one, it's a very popular book on here.
119Booksloth
Sorry, I'll do that properly. Have been sitting here waiting for the next one to come up so that I can go to bed.
Is it The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett? I'm off to check then I'll just have time to post one of my own.
Is it The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett? I'm off to check then I'll just have time to post one of my own.
120Booksloth
"I woke to the patter of rain on canvas, with the feel of my first husband's kiss on my lips."
121QueenOfDenmark
It is The Secret Garden so well done Booksloth (and goodnight).
123Irisheyz77
"The boulevard du cange was a broad, quiet street that marked the eastern flank of the city of Amiens."
124alcottacre
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks?
If it is, here is my line . . .
"We are at rest five miles behind the front."
If it is, here is my line . . .
"We are at rest five miles behind the front."
125Irisheyz77
yes it is birdsong
127dreamlikecheese
Well, I went and googled it and I got it so....
"When I was fifteen, I got hepatitis."
"When I was fifteen, I got hepatitis."
128Irisheyz77
So i looked this one up....a few clues for folks that may help.
- there are over 2000 copies here on LT
- was an Oprah Book Club selection (though despite that it sounds interesting)
- was originally written in Switzerland and translated into English
- there are over 2000 copies here on LT
- was an Oprah Book Club selection (though despite that it sounds interesting)
- was originally written in Switzerland and translated into English
129QueenOfDenmark
I know that one but I can't think of it. It's a boy talking and it's German (I think). I wish I was at home right now so I could check my books.
130emmab 
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- was an Oprah Book Club selection (though despite that it sounds interesting)
I personally find comments like these somewhat ignorant and tactless. What is wrong with Cormac McCarthy, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Alan Paton, William Faulkner and Leo Tolstoy to name but a few of the authors she's chosen for her club?
I personally find comments like these somewhat ignorant and tactless. What is wrong with Cormac McCarthy, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Alan Paton, William Faulkner and Leo Tolstoy to name but a few of the authors she's chosen for her club?
131Irisheyz77
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For my part the oprah books that I have read I haven't liked. Most of the earlier books on her list have not appealed to me.
I am also not a fan of Faulkner. I've only just started to read my first Tolstoy. Everyone has different thoughts about every list and every author. Its my opinion which I'm sure that anyone here would see. It could be argued that all those authors that you listed aren't great. Those are your opinions.
That's part of what is so great about LT. There are many different opinions brought together. And until now, there was nothing but harmony in those differences. I really don't appreciate you calling me ignorant and tackless. Who are you?? You don't know me. So to say such things, who is the one being ignornant and tackless?
Anf yes I know my tone isn't a good one and I do apologise. But you've just hit a cord in me and I can't turn it off right now and I can't walk away. But again I do apologise. I too am now guilty of breaking the harmony on LT. For that I also apologise to everyone who comes and reads this.
I am also not a fan of Faulkner. I've only just started to read my first Tolstoy. Everyone has different thoughts about every list and every author. Its my opinion which I'm sure that anyone here would see. It could be argued that all those authors that you listed aren't great. Those are your opinions.
That's part of what is so great about LT. There are many different opinions brought together. And until now, there was nothing but harmony in those differences. I really don't appreciate you calling me ignorant and tackless. Who are you?? You don't know me. So to say such things, who is the one being ignornant and tackless?
Anf yes I know my tone isn't a good one and I do apologise. But you've just hit a cord in me and I can't turn it off right now and I can't walk away. But again I do apologise. I too am now guilty of breaking the harmony on LT. For that I also apologise to everyone who comes and reads this.
132philosojerk
emmab,
It's fine if you disagree with the comment, however I've flagged your post because it is abusive. Calling another user "ignorant and tactless" is not acceptable around here. Please try and find a more respectable manner of expressing disagreement.
It's fine if you disagree with the comment, however I've flagged your post because it is abusive. Calling another user "ignorant and tactless" is not acceptable around here. Please try and find a more respectable manner of expressing disagreement.
134laytonwoman3rd
I frequently wonder why so many people seem to feel the need to apologize for liking a book that was recommended by Oprah. While her recommendation alone would not lead me to pick up a book, it is nevertheless true that many of those she has put on her list have been classics or otherwise highly regarded, as emmab points out above. I would add John Steinbeck to the authors she mentions. "Not liking" the work of a particular author is not the same as arguing that that author is no good. I don't care for Hemingway or Henry James, but greater minds than mine call them great writers and I would not dispute that. I think very few serious readers would challenge the worth of Cormac McCarthy, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Alan Paton, William Faulkner or Leo Tolstoy. That certainly does not mean that their work will or should appeal to everyone.
So, teelgee, where's the next line? Something light-hearted would seem to be in order.
So, teelgee, where's the next line? Something light-hearted would seem to be in order.
136A_musing
Clockwork Orange.
Quite sure I'm right (though I'm just here to check the meter). I'll come up with a new one.
Quite sure I'm right (though I'm just here to check the meter). I'll come up with a new one.
137A_musing
One thing was certain, that the white kitten had nothing to do with it:--it was the black kitten's fault entirely.
139A_musing
OK, that was too easy. I thought everyone would recognize Alice in Wonderland and no one Through the Looking Glass.
You're up, philo.
You're up, philo.
140philosojerk
I have to run to the grocery store, but I'm about 98% sure on that. Here's another quote:
I do not know, men of Athens, how my accusers affected you; as for me, I was almost carried away in spite of myself, so persuasively did they speak.
I do not know, men of Athens, how my accusers affected you; as for me, I was almost carried away in spite of myself, so persuasively did they speak.
141Booksloth
Well, it's by Plato and it's to do with the trial of Socrates but I don't know the actual name of the work.
142philosojerk
You're certainly on the right track. ;)
144philosojerk
Yep! All you, A_musing.
145A_musing
Two in one day!
OK, here's the line:
Around quitting time, Tod Hackett heard a great din on the road outside his office.
OK, here's the line:
Around quitting time, Tod Hackett heard a great din on the road outside his office.
146A_musing
Here's the next line, just because I like it more than the first:
The groan of leather mingled with the jangle of iron and over all beat the tattoo of a thousand hooves.
The groan of leather mingled with the jangle of iron and over all beat the tattoo of a thousand hooves.
147Irisheyz77
is it to early to call for a clue? lol
148A_musing
Features the first literary appearance of Homer Simpson (that I know of).
And the third line is "He hurried to the window."
Tell me when you're ready for another clue.
And the third line is "He hurried to the window."
Tell me when you're ready for another clue.
149A_musing
I'm going to disappear for the evening, so here's the next clue: Donald Sutherland played Homer in the movie version.
150A_musing
I didn't think this was such a stumper. It's a short novel (or novella), and is about Hollywood.
151A_musing
The author was one of the creators of the Film Noir genre. He wrote more screenplays than novels.
152joehutcheon
The Day of the Locusts by Nathaniel West?
154Irisheyz77
Can't speak for everyone....but I've never heard of him.
155A_musing
A nice, short treat if you're ever up for it. Miss Lonleyhearts and The day of the locust are Nathanael West's most popular two works, both short novellas. West is a deeply romantic figure, a troubled writer who felt continuously out of place, hung out with the bohemian geniuses of his time, and died young. But his novellas are masterpieces.
156laytonwoman3rd
I read Miss Lonelyhearts years ago...come to think of it, people don't seem to read Nathanael West these days. My high school English teacher would be fretful over that.
157joehutcheon
I first read him when I was a stoodent way back in the 70s, which must have been around when the Donald Sutherland film came out.
I'll post my own first line shortly.
I'll post my own first line shortly.
158A_musing
I think of West as what F. Scott Fitzgerald would have been if he could write.
Yup, just picking a fight there. But his Homer Simpson really is a great American Everyman - better and more complex than Willy Loman.
Yup, just picking a fight there. But his Homer Simpson really is a great American Everyman - better and more complex than Willy Loman.
159joehutcheon
OK, this is from a 20th century trilogy:
'He lurched over to the Black Magic and Pornography section of his bookshelves which he kept, sardonically, next to his Bible commentaries, and took down the long-forbidden volume of the visions of the mad poet Abdul Alhazred'
'He lurched over to the Black Magic and Pornography section of his bookshelves which he kept, sardonically, next to his Bible commentaries, and took down the long-forbidden volume of the visions of the mad poet Abdul Alhazred'
160laytonwoman3rd
#158 You make me smile---my daughter and I just had a conversation this morning about the 20th century American authors we have no use for. Guess who is at the top of her list?
161philosojerk
>159 joehutcheon: I thought I recognized that, but now I'm kicking myself for looking it up. One of my all-time favorite books.
163philosojerk
I can tell you for sure that it's not Confederacy of Dunces, cg.
164joehutcheon
Indeed not. The author died quite recently.
165Irisheyz77
something by Norman Mailer perhaps?
169philosojerk
>166 usnmm2:/168 We're waiting on you to give us our next first line!
171Irisheyz77
@usnmm2 - the general consensus seems to have been that it is that its ok to google to see if what you posted was right as this helps move the game forward. Its been the unwritten rule that its not ok to google the answer when you don't know (or at least to google and then post as if you knew it all along).
I've often googled just to see what the line was...and also to check someone else's answer when the original poster isn't around to say yea or nay.
I've often googled just to see what the line was...and also to check someone else's answer when the original poster isn't around to say yea or nay.
172usnmm2
Sorry, I apologize.
But thats why I was up front about the google thing . I'll hold back and watch for awhile to get the rules straight.
But thats why I was up front about the google thing . I'll hold back and watch for awhile to get the rules straight.
175Booksloth
Hmmmm . . . just noticed it's only 6.47 in your world so, in case we haven't, here's one to be going on with. Apologies if I've missed one. I've cut it off half way through as it does ramble on a bit (no, not Joyce - doesn't ramble on THAT much) but if nobody gets it in the next few hours I'll post the rest of the sentence.)
"It was the summer of 1923, the summer I came down from Cambridge . . . "
"It was the summer of 1923, the summer I came down from Cambridge . . . "
176thorold
Hmm - could be anyone born around 1902, or even older men who became undergraduates after war service. Obviously not Waugh, because he was at Oxford...
My first serious guess would have been Isherwood or Spender, but it doesn't quite fit: Isherwood would have been a little bit too young, and Spender wasn't at Cambridge. I see you have a copy of While England sleeps - could it be that? It's a long time since I read it.
My first serious guess would have been Isherwood or Spender, but it doesn't quite fit: Isherwood would have been a little bit too young, and Spender wasn't at Cambridge. I see you have a copy of While England sleeps - could it be that? It's a long time since I read it.
177Irisheyz77
booksloth - there was a line, but then it disappeared. glad that you were on top of things and posted a new one. =)
also, this thread is starting to get a little long....perhaps after this next line is gotten (lovely English skills I've got don't you agree? lol)...as I was saying....perhaps once this line is answered the new line could be posted on a new thread?
also, this thread is starting to get a little long....perhaps after this next line is gotten (lovely English skills I've got don't you agree? lol)...as I was saying....perhaps once this line is answered the new line could be posted on a new thread?
178Irisheyz77
@usnmm2 - no need to be sorry you didn't do anything wrong. there are a few people here (myself included) who have posted their thought on a line and then googled to check if they were right. Sometimes we were, most times we were (at least for me lol) we then post to say googled and got it right new line = xyz....or that we were totally off base and then maybe provide a clue as to where it came from. =)
179Booksloth
I seem to have missed all the fun here! Usnmm2 - if you did a bad thing, don't let it worry you - they're a really nice and forgiving lot. Come join in again. You have to do a truly terrible thing at least 3 times before they send some one around to kick you. And I should know.
#177 Good idea about the new thread but please don't anybody wait for me to be the one to start it off. I have no idea how to do those links.
#177 Good idea about the new thread but please don't anybody wait for me to be the one to start it off. I have no idea how to do those links.
181Irisheyz77
Booksloth....I don't know how to do them either...hence why I'm trying to pass the idea onto someone else. ;-)
182philosojerk
>Usnmm2 I don't think Irisheyz was saying you had done anything wrong. Her point was that if you knew the line, and merely googled to see if you were right, then that's ok.
What's generally not ok is if you didn't know, but googled the line, then posted the answer as if you had known.
Anyway, welcome to the game - wish you'd left your quote for us to figure out, but please do keep playing :)
What's generally not ok is if you didn't know, but googled the line, then posted the answer as if you had known.
Anyway, welcome to the game - wish you'd left your quote for us to figure out, but please do keep playing :)
183Irisheyz77
yes that's it exactly philosojerk!
You explained it all much better (read: more clear, more simply stated and just generally better to understand) that I. Thank you. =)
You explained it all much better (read: more clear, more simply stated and just generally better to understand) that I. Thank you. =)
184Booksloth
#175 cont
Okay, nobody has got it yet so here is the sentence in full:
"It was the summer of 1923, the summer I came down from Cambridge, when despite my aunt's wishes that I return to Shropshire, I decided my future lay in the capital and took up a small flat at Number 14b Bedford Gardens in Kensington."
Okay, nobody has got it yet so here is the sentence in full:
"It was the summer of 1923, the summer I came down from Cambridge, when despite my aunt's wishes that I return to Shropshire, I decided my future lay in the capital and took up a small flat at Number 14b Bedford Gardens in Kensington."
185Irisheyz77
Gotta clue?
186Booksloth
Okay, right - I've stuck to the 1000+ rule. This author has more popular books catalogued here but I didn't want to go for the most obvious. It is set in London and Shanghai between the two world wars and is about a detective. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in its year of publication and (here I go again) should have won.
187laytonwoman3rd
So, who had a bossy Aunt? Bertie Wooster? Timing is wrong. David Copperfield---ditto. Dalgliesh? Can't remember which is his first adventure.
188thorold
Strange: from the clues I know what it must be. I won't say, because, if I'm right it's a book I haven't read yet (obviously booksloth thinks we should all read it!).
But I was sure I remembered that line about the aunt in Shropshire. Like laytonwoman3rd, it made me think of P.G. Wodehouse, although it obviously isn't. Maybe it cropped up in another first line quiz somewhere...
But I was sure I remembered that line about the aunt in Shropshire. Like laytonwoman3rd, it made me think of P.G. Wodehouse, although it obviously isn't. Maybe it cropped up in another first line quiz somewhere...
189philosojerk
I won't say, because, if I'm right it's a book I haven't read yet
Why does that mean you shouldn't guess?
Why does that mean you shouldn't guess?
190Booksloth
Next clue: The writer has lived a kind of East/West existence - having been born in Japan before coming to rest in England. I'm willing to bet most of you have read his most famous (and beautiful) book or, at least, seen the film.
191A_musing
Well, I haven't read this particular author, though it's now clear who it is, but would hazzard a guess if I could bring a title to mind.
Come on, Thorold, guess - before I do!
Come on, Thorold, guess - before I do!
192A_musing
Times up Thorold!
Artist of the Floating World?
Strike that - I think that is Japan not Shanghai, isn't it? Let me think.
Artist of the Floating World?
Strike that - I think that is Japan not Shanghai, isn't it? Let me think.
193laytonwoman3rd
Well, it's clear I was totally on the wrong track. And as now I know, I'll sit back and watch the rest of you wrack your brains. (I haven't read it either.)
194Irisheyz77
Okay, right - I've stuck to the 1000+ rule. This author has more popular books catalogued here but I didn't want to go for the most obvious.
Ah booksloth, I don't think any of us would ever dare to suggest that you'd go for the obvious. lol You keep us on our toes though and that is a good thing (though not so good for my TBR pile) ;-)
I ended up googling it. I've read the author, but only one book - and not this one. But its on the list. =)
Ah booksloth, I don't think any of us would ever dare to suggest that you'd go for the obvious. lol You keep us on our toes though and that is a good thing (though not so good for my TBR pile) ;-)
I ended up googling it. I've read the author, but only one book - and not this one. But its on the list. =)
196Booksloth
In the interests of fairness, I have to point out that A-musing was so much warmer than he/she thinks.
Suffer! Go on, suffer! I could always change my name to Booksloth the Merciless!
Suffer! Go on, suffer! I could always change my name to Booksloth the Merciless!
197laytonwoman3rd
So if everyone is stumped, you have to share your cookie with A_musing?
198A_musing
I think I've got the author right, but have never read him, and can't remember another one he authored other than Remains of the Day, which it also isn't.
199Booksloth
#197
Share cookie? Booksloth share cookie? I withdraw that remark then - A-musing was completely wrong and nobody gets their hands on my cookies!
Share cookie? Booksloth share cookie? I withdraw that remark then - A-musing was completely wrong and nobody gets their hands on my cookies!
200A_musing
I'm just looking for an assist guys - I give up. Time to google.
I've got girl scout cookies. I don't need any more.
I've got girl scout cookies. I don't need any more.
202A_musing
I should have gotten that one. Even if I haven't read it. Do you like Mint Milanos or Peanut Butter Sandwiches?
203Booksloth
Okay - my daughter needs to use the computer now so I won't be back for another couple of hours. If you get desperate during that time someone else will have to Google it. Technically, you've got about 16 hours left though and you're very early there!
204Booksloth
#202 I'm not a huge mint or peanut butter fan but I can be made to do tricks for Jammie Dodgers.
205QueenOfDenmark
It has to be Kazuo Ishiguro with the East West clue and so I will guess Never Let Me Go in the hope of another clue because I know my guess is wrong.
I've read it but don't own it but this NLMG is set in England and there isn't an Aunt.
Is this book in the 1001 books to read before you die book?
I've read it but don't own it but this NLMG is set in England and there isn't an Aunt.
Is this book in the 1001 books to read before you die book?
206dreamlikecheese
It's When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro isn't it?
207dreamlikecheese
I'm pretty sure I'm right so I'm going to start a new thread for the next line. I suck at html so if someone else could find the link and put it in at the bottom here that would be muchly appreciated....
It'll be under the thread title "First Line Game Vol. 3"
It'll be under the thread title "First Line Game Vol. 3"
208ChocolateMuse
...which is located here
209dreamlikecheese
Cheers ChocolateMuse! I don't do cookies....I'm Australian, so we call them biscuits....but I'll give you one of my world famous brownies instead...
210ChocolateMuse
...but aren't brownies American too??
And I am a fellow Aussie, so g'day to you :) Which explains why both of us are at work right now and procrastinating on LT. (EDIT: haha, I meant that it's almost 10 am here, not that all Aussies procrastinate on LT at work!)
(and just because brownies are American doesn't mean I'll turn yours down... thank you! Just what I need to complement my morning coffee!)
And I am a fellow Aussie, so g'day to you :) Which explains why both of us are at work right now and procrastinating on LT. (EDIT: haha, I meant that it's almost 10 am here, not that all Aussies procrastinate on LT at work!)
(and just because brownies are American doesn't mean I'll turn yours down... thank you! Just what I need to complement my morning coffee!)
211dreamlikecheese
They are indeed American, but mine were made here...and they don't have a different name in Oz so I figured it was OK. Plus, I didn't have any Anzac biscuits in the cupboard or pavlova in the fridge.
