Closing lines

Shawnee123 · 08-18-2009, 03:45 PM

What is the best closing line of a novel? I found this list (in PDF) compiled by The American Book Review:

http://americanbookreview.org/PDF/10...rom_Novels.pdf

There are fewer resources for this one, but I like the following:

If I were a younger man, I would write a history of human stupidity; and I would climb to the top of Mount McCabe and lie down on my back with my history for a pillow; and I would take from the ground some of the blue-white poison that makes statues of men; and I would make a statue of myself, lying on my back, grinning horribly, and thumbing my nose at You Know Who. –Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle (1963)

dar512 · 08-18-2009, 03:51 PM

"Well, I'm back."

Lord of the Rings

Shawnee123 · 08-18-2009, 03:57 PM

My current user title is supposedly one, but I really thought it was the last line in the movie but not the book. I guess they would know, though.

Aliantha · 08-18-2009, 07:01 PM

I thought this thread was going to be about the last thing you say to someone if they're pissing you off and I was going to give you all my line...but I guess I don't have to now.

Crimson Ghost · 08-19-2009, 01:00 AM

I give the fruit jar a swat with my Stetson and a hundred phosphorescent dots of light explode up into the night sky, winking like muzzle flashes in a treeline, a hundred Alabama lightning bugs, alive and free, and glowing, like sparks from a fire.

- Gustav Hasford, 'The Phantom Blooper'

'The Phantom Blooper' is the sequel to 'The Short Timers', which 'Full Metal Jacket' was based on.

It takes place about a year after the events of 'The Short Timers'.
After Joker was rescued from the VC village where he was held after the Battle of Khe Sanh.

The Stetson was the property of Cowboy.

ZenGum · 08-19-2009, 01:17 AM

Quote:

His hand found the light switch.

It took me a while to remember that the nuclear bomb in the basement was connected to, amongst other things, a light meter.

Spexxvet · 08-19-2009, 08:04 AM

And they lived happily ever after

Sundae · 08-19-2009, 11:40 AM

"And it was still hot" - Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are)
But I admit, it's to book that preceeds it, not the last line.
I mean, that means nothing, if you have not read the book. When you have, it's like a warm hug and a lick on the neck.

So I am suspicious of this list because so very few stand alone.
(Or is it because I haven't read them all?!)

Queen of the Ryche · 08-19-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

"And it was still hot" - Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are)
But I admit, it's to book that preceeds it, not the last line.
I mean, that means nothing, if you have not read the book. When you have, it's like a warm hug and a lick on the neck.

So I am suspicious of this list because so very few stand alone.
(Or is it because I haven't read them all?!)

I love you Sundae. (And Max too.)

Pie · 08-19-2009, 01:41 PM

Luckily, there was a stall nearby where you could rent scooters from guys with green wings.

Crimson Ghost · 08-21-2009, 03:25 AM

It took the police five hours to take him down.

ZenGum · 08-21-2009, 04:23 AM

That's exactly the sort of thing Hitler would have said you nazi!

Oh, wait, does it have to be a novel?

Crimson Ghost · 08-22-2009, 03:44 AM

Are you comparing me to...

Oh wait, that's your quote.

skysidhe · 08-24-2009, 07:43 AM

Looking one up so I am not fumbling around in the dark am

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
- The Great Gatsby

skysidhe · 08-24-2009, 07:56 AM

Is it possible for anyone in Germany, nowadays, to raise his right hand, for whatever the reason, and not be flooded by the memory of a dream to end all dreams?
Walter Abish, How German Is It? (1980)

I like this one.

…and to all you other cats and chicks out there, sweet or otherwise, buried deep in wordy tombs, who never yet have walked from off the page, a shake and a hug and a kiss and a drink. Cheers! –Gilbert Sorrentino, Mulligan Stew (1979)

08-18-2009, 03:45 PM	#1
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Closing lines What is the best closing line of a novel? I found this list (in PDF) compiled by The American Book Review: http://americanbookreview.org/PDF/10...rom_Novels.pdf There are fewer resources for this one, but I like the following: If I were a younger man, I would write a history of human stupidity; and I would climb to the top of Mount McCabe and lie down on my back with my history for a pillow; and I would take from the ground some of the blue-white poison that makes statues of men; and I would make a statue of myself, lying on my back, grinning horribly, and thumbing my nose at You Know Who. –Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle (1963) __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby Last edited by Shawnee123; 08-18-2009 at 03:56 PM.

08-18-2009, 03:51 PM	#2
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	"Well, I'm back." Lord of the Rings __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

08-18-2009, 03:57 PM	#3
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	My current user title is supposedly one, but I really thought it was the last line in the movie but not the book. I guess they would know, though. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

08-18-2009, 07:01 PM	#4
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	I thought this thread was going to be about the last thing you say to someone if they're pissing you off and I was going to give you all my line...but I guess I don't have to now. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

08-19-2009, 01:00 AM	#5
Crimson Ghost Larger than life and twice as ugly. Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,264	I give the fruit jar a swat with my Stetson and a hundred phosphorescent dots of light explode up into the night sky, winking like muzzle flashes in a treeline, a hundred Alabama lightning bugs, alive and free, and glowing, like sparks from a fire. - Gustav Hasford, 'The Phantom Blooper' 'The Phantom Blooper' is the sequel to 'The Short Timers', which 'Full Metal Jacket' was based on. It takes place about a year after the events of 'The Short Timers'. After Joker was rescued from the VC village where he was held after the Battle of Khe Sanh. The Stetson was the property of Cowboy. __________________ We must all go through a rite of passage. It must be physical, it must be painful, and it must leave a mark. I have no knowledge of the events which you are describing, and if I did have knowledge of them, I would be unable to discuss them with you now or at any future period. Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years

08-19-2009, 08:04 AM	#7
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	And they lived happily ever after __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

08-19-2009, 11:40 AM	#8
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	"And it was still hot" - Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are) But I admit, it's to book that preceeds it, not the last line. I mean, that means nothing, if you have not read the book. When you have, it's like a warm hug and a lick on the neck. So I am suspicious of this list because so very few stand alone. (Or is it because I haven't read them all?!) __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

08-19-2009, 01:41 PM	#10
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	Luckily, there was a stall nearby where you could rent scooters from guys with green wings. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

08-21-2009, 03:25 AM	#11
Crimson Ghost Larger than life and twice as ugly. Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,264	It took the police five hours to take him down. __________________ We must all go through a rite of passage. It must be physical, it must be painful, and it must leave a mark. I have no knowledge of the events which you are describing, and if I did have knowledge of them, I would be unable to discuss them with you now or at any future period. Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years

08-21-2009, 04:23 AM	#12
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	That's exactly the sort of thing Hitler would have said you nazi! Oh, wait, does it have to be a novel? __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

08-22-2009, 03:44 AM	#13
Crimson Ghost Larger than life and twice as ugly. Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,264	Are you comparing me to... Oh wait, that's your quote. __________________ We must all go through a rite of passage. It must be physical, it must be painful, and it must leave a mark. I have no knowledge of the events which you are describing, and if I did have knowledge of them, I would be unable to discuss them with you now or at any future period. Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years

08-24-2009, 07:43 AM	#14
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	Looking one up so I am not fumbling around in the dark am "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." - The Great Gatsby

08-24-2009, 07:56 AM	#15
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	Is it possible for anyone in Germany, nowadays, to raise his right hand, for whatever the reason, and not be flooded by the memory of a dream to end all dreams? Walter Abish, How German Is It? (1980) I like this one. …and to all you other cats and chicks out there, sweet or otherwise, buried deep in wordy tombs, who never yet have walked from off the page, a shake and a hug and a kiss and a drink. Cheers! –Gilbert Sorrentino, Mulligan Stew (1979) Last edited by skysidhe; 08-24-2009 at 08:15 AM. Reason: adding a quote

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