Having read the first lines of all the books I own (New Day #28), I decided to read all the last lines, as well. Coincidentally, the American Book Review published its list of top one hundred last lines, most of which are dull, depressing and are actually two lines, which totally doesn't count. To me, the game is to craft a single line that sums it all up, which is much harder to do than create a great opening.
So here are my Top Eight (answers can be found in the comments section):
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
What else?
Holding Mike’s hand, Auntie Mame drifted into the crowd, her sari floating behind her.
Are there any questions?
And I know I can do this because I went to London on my own, and because I solved the mystery of Who Killed Wellington? and I found my mother and I was brave and I wrote a book and that means I can do anything.
“All that is very well,” answered Candide, “but let us cultivate our garden.”
For now she knew what Shalimar knew: If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it.
But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.
But let's finish with the best last line EVER, from Some Like it Hot:
Thursday, February 21, 2008
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3 comments:
Answers:
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
I Don't Know How She Does It, Allison Pearson
Auntie Mame, Patrick Dennis
The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night, Mark Haddon
Candide, Voltaire
The Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison
The House at Pooh Corner, A. A. Milne
Intriguing. There must be something in the air. Over on Murderati, Zoe Sharp was talking about great first lines and how hard they are for some people to create.
Good post!
Damn it, Marc! You've inspired me again! Now I'm going to be up all night reading the last lines of all my books. And since I live in a NY apartment, and have gotten rid of most of the books I HAVE read, this might ruin the grand finales for me... Maybe I'll just go in and play music for a while. (It was a nice idea, though.)
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