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Top 10 first lines in fiction
The Guardian ^ | 4-5-2023 | Liz Nugent

Posted on 04/05/2023 8:34:50 PM PDT by Saije

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To: Saije

“The past is a different country. They do things differently there.”


61 posted on 04/05/2023 10:15:12 PM PDT by Persevero (You cannot comply your way out of tyranny. )
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To: Persevero

Correction,! ack!

“The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.”


62 posted on 04/05/2023 10:19:25 PM PDT by Persevero (You cannot comply your way out of tyranny. )
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To: Veto!

The best cat I ever had was a tuxedo polydactyl. Smart and very affectionate.


63 posted on 04/05/2023 10:21:07 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("If you can’t say something nice . . . say the Rosary." [Red Badger])
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“3 May. Bistritz. Left Munich at 8:35 pm on 1 May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6:46 pm but train was an hour late.”
Would have thought that opening line to be a favorite of the left.
64 posted on 04/05/2023 10:36:56 PM PDT by Olog-hai ("No Republican, no matter how liberal, is going to woo a Democratic vote." -- Ronald Reagan, 1960)
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To: Pelham
“Call me Ishmael.”

Regards,

65 posted on 04/05/2023 10:50:24 PM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: Saije

Not a first line but one that is memorable and ironic in a way.

“One day, the computer woke up” by a character/narrator Mannie in Robert Heilein’s 1966 science fiction novel, “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.” It was in reference to a computer that controlled much of the 2075 moon colony’s automated needs, and is one of the first instances of the use of the term “woke,” but not in today’s use context.

When Mannie says “woke” he’s saying the computer became self-aware and eventually it took on the rebel persona of Adam Selene who essentially came to run the moon’s rebellion against Earth’s remote domination of the moon. And, as the rebellion became stronger, Adam was asked “How do we fight back?” Another pivotal line with deep impact, “We’re going to throw rocks at them.”

I read this while stationed overseas in 1970 working mid-shifts and found it fascinating. It prompted me to become a huge Heilein fan and I read all of his books...


66 posted on 04/05/2023 11:09:55 PM PDT by Gaffer
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To: Saije

Once upon a time…


67 posted on 04/06/2023 12:04:00 AM PDT by George J. Jetso
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To: Saije

One of my favorite first lines is a chapter heading in a sharp’s rifle book.
“A cavalry charge starts out slow.”


68 posted on 04/06/2023 12:40:21 AM PDT by Liaison (TANSTAAFL)
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To: Saije

“They used to hang men at Four Turnings in the old days. Not any more though.”


69 posted on 04/06/2023 12:58:21 AM PDT by Tired of Taxes
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To: hardspunned

That line should be in the top ten of all first lines.


70 posted on 04/06/2023 1:01:46 AM PDT by Tired of Taxes
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To: Kartographer

Another great line. The lines we’re adding here are better than the list at the link.


71 posted on 04/06/2023 1:02:46 AM PDT by Tired of Taxes
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To: Saije

It was a dark and stormy night…


72 posted on 04/06/2023 1:08:52 AM PDT by Nifster ( I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: eyedigress

A hole in one.


73 posted on 04/06/2023 1:09:19 AM PDT by Trump_Triumphant ("Our hearts are restless, Oh Lord, until they rest in thee"- St. Augustine)
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To: Saije

“Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus’ son Achilles...”

Also, a good book I’d recommend “Achilles in Vietnam” about PTSD.


74 posted on 04/06/2023 1:50:26 AM PDT by bakeneko
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To: gas_dr

👍👍👍👍👍


75 posted on 04/06/2023 2:31:37 AM PDT by Mark17 (Retired USAF air traffic controller. Father of USAF pilot. USAF aviation runs in the family )
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To: Mark17

Who is John Galt?


76 posted on 04/06/2023 2:53:23 AM PDT by Night Hides Not (Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad! Remember Gonzales! Come and Take It!)
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To: Saije

“The night was sultry.”


77 posted on 04/06/2023 2:58:49 AM PDT by nesnah (Infringe - act so as to limit or undermine [something]; encroach on)
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To: Saije

Call me Ishmael.


78 posted on 04/06/2023 3:11:48 AM PDT by STJPII ( )
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To: Saije
"I moved forward, out of the blackest sleep, to find myself surrounded by doctors . . . American doctors."
79 posted on 04/06/2023 3:17:27 AM PDT by firebrand
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To: Saije

“Marley was dead”


80 posted on 04/06/2023 3:23:06 AM PDT by DFG
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