Books: The First Sentence

Started by Chris L, Jul 13, 2017, 01:35 PM

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valmont

Many films, plays, and even an opera have been adapted from this book.
I was born to ask "why was I born?"

Chris L

I feel really bad that I don't know this because it sounds like exactly the kind of thing I'd be aware of (though when I find out what it is, I may be embarrassed to discover that it was something that I was quite aware of and my memory's just going  :( ).
But us, old friend,
What's to discuss, old friend?

MartinG

It's not The Innocents is it?
Morals tomorrow

Chris L

Quote from: MartinG on Sep 15, 2017, 12:06 AMIt's not The Innocents is it?
Wasn't The Innocents the film adaptation of The Turn of the Screw? Or am I thinking of a different The Innocents?
But us, old friend,
What's to discuss, old friend?

valmont

Quote from: Chris L on Sep 15, 2017, 12:56 AM
Quote from: MartinG on Sep 15, 2017, 12:06 AMIt's not The Innocents is it?
Wasn't The Innocents the film adaptation of The Turn of the Screw? Or am I thinking of a different The Innocents?

Yes, the book's title is The Turn of the Screw.
I was born to ask "why was I born?"

MartinG

Of course it was! D'oh - early morning brain fog.

That's Chris' turn really.
Morals tomorrow

Chris L

Thanks, @MartinG. Yeah, I was right. I've read the book (many years ago) and should have recognized the first line (though somehow that second quote just didn't sound like Henry James).

Be back with a new one.

But us, old friend,
What's to discuss, old friend?

Chris L

It was about eleven o'clock in the morning, mid October, with the sun not shining and a look of hard wet rain in the clearness of the foothills.
But us, old friend,
What's to discuss, old friend?

Chris L

Quote from: Chris L on Sep 15, 2017, 02:06 PMIt was about eleven o'clock in the morning, mid October, with the sun not shining and a look of hard wet rain in the clearness of the foothills.
Whoa, this has been sitting here for a while!

HINT: This is the first sentence of the first novel by one of the biggest name detective story authors of the mid 20th century. It was made into a film starring Humphrey Bogart. The title is iconic enough that quite a few later films, including one by the Coen Brothers, have had titles that allude to it.
But us, old friend,
What's to discuss, old friend?

MartinG

Morals tomorrow

Chris L

But us, old friend,
What's to discuss, old friend?

MartinG

The soldiers were shimmering again.
Morals tomorrow

Chris L

Quote from: MartinG on Oct 28, 2017, 02:25 AMThe soldiers were shimmering again.
I really feel like I know this, but I think I need a hint. @MartinG?
But us, old friend,
What's to discuss, old friend?

MartinG

Well, the author lives mostly in a capital city and has another significant artistic string to her bow...
Morals tomorrow

MartinG

Further clue - it's the first book in a series, the final instalment of which has yet to be published.
Morals tomorrow