Quotes #001: Famous First Lines
Great stories stay with us a long time after we read the last page, and close the book. But how many of these famous first lines can you identify? There’s no connection between the books, but all are considered classics in their own right. Post your guesses in the comments below, and let me know how you got on.
1
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
2
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.
3
It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.
4
It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York.
5
Call me Ishmael.
6
Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
7
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.
8
This is the saddest story I have ever heard.
9
I am a sick man . . . I am a spiteful man.
10
All this happened, more or less.
11 Comments
I know that number 6 is Anna Karenina... the rest sound so familiar but I can't quite put my mind to who they belong to! Can't wait to see all the answers :)
ReplyDeleteMegan @ Storybook Love Affair
I got 6 right. I knew the Sylvia Plath quote (and have read the book) but couldn't remember it. Nice quiz thanks.
ReplyDelete@ Megan
ReplyDeleteGood spot! And you're right, quotes always look so familiar, but their source lingers just out of reach.
There is a link to the answers at the bottom of the post - check it out :)
@ Sarah
ReplyDeleteGood work - that's more than I'd have got had I not written the quiz I reckon!
Ah yes, the Sylvia Plath one is pretty distinctive isn't it?
Hurrah, another quiz! :)
ReplyDelete1 is Pride and Prejudice
2 is Rebecca
7 is A Tale of Two Cities
8 is The Good Soldier
Nice work Petra - you're getting good at these ;)
ReplyDeleteNo joy with no. 3 though?
Haha, I have this weird feeling like I'm a dog who wants to please its owner! :)
ReplyDeleteBut thank you :)
No. 3 did sound familiar, hmm, but I don't think there could be any joy linked with that book! :)
Its cruel, unmoving owner? ;)
ReplyDeleteNo, not a lot of joy.
Exactly! :P And you know how they say that dogs are so devoted and wouldn't bite no matter how cruel their owners are? I wouldn't be so sure about that! ;P
ReplyDeleteI've never heard that - I've always thought dogs will take a munch out of whoever is handy, when they fancy it.
ReplyDeleteHmm, have you ever seen a dog in real life?
ReplyDeleteI always welcome comments...