Author Topic: First line of novels quiz (Read 24592 times)

Tom B · « **Reply #50 on:** 07 February, 2011, 11:21:37 am »

"In later years, holding forth to an interviewer or to an audience of aging fans at a comic book convention, *** **** liked to declare, apropos of his and *** ********'s greatest creation, that back when he was a boy, sealed and hog-tied inside the airtight vessel known as Brooklyn, New York, he had been haunted by dreams of Harry Houdini. "

mattc · « **Reply #51 on:** 07 February, 2011, 11:50:59 am »

Quote from: Tom B on 07 February, 2011, 11:21:37 am

"In later years, holding forth to an interviewer or to an audience of aging fans at a comic book convention, *** **** liked to declare, apropos of his and *** ********'s greatest creation, that back when he was a boy, sealed and hog-tied inside the airtight vessel known as Brooklyn, New York, he had been haunted by dreams of Harry Houdini. "

Googled that, as I was intrigued.

Never heard of the book - which is the first time on this thread.

Tom B · « **Reply #52 on:** 07 February, 2011, 12:05:02 pm »

Quote

Googled that, as I was intrigued.

I'd hope that was a major purpose of this thread

(it's a good read, too)

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #53 on:** 07 February, 2011, 12:15:33 pm »

Quote from: mattc on 07 February, 2011, 11:50:59 am

Quote from: Tom B on 07 February, 2011, 11:21:37 am
"In later years, holding forth to an interviewer or to an audience of aging fans at a comic book convention, *** **** liked to declare, apropos of his and *** ********'s greatest creation, that back when he was a boy, sealed and hog-tied inside the airtight vessel known as Brooklyn, New York, he had been haunted by dreams of Harry Houdini. "
Googled that, as I was intrigued.

Never heard of the book - which is the first time on this thread.

I also Googled it, merely to confirm my suspicion that it was Carter Beats The Devil, you understand.

It isn't.

Flying_Monkey · « **Reply #54 on:** 07 February, 2011, 05:04:18 pm »

I've read this in the not too distant past... it's either Jonathan Lethem or Michael Chabon. Can't remember which without actually looking at the books. Sounds more like Chabon, so I would guess it's Kavalier and Clay, but I can't be 100% sure.

Somebody better check for me because I don't want to cheat!

Tom B · « **Reply #55 on:** 07 February, 2011, 05:11:13 pm »

Quote

would guess it's Kavalier and Clay,

Correct! Well done - you get to go next

Flying_Monkey · « **Reply #56 on:** 07 February, 2011, 05:16:40 pm »

Quote from: Tom B on 07 February, 2011, 05:11:13 pm

Quote
would guess it's Kavalier and Clay,

Correct! Well done - you get to go next

Cheers!

From one of my favourite authors, who had a way with one-liners...

"All this happened, more or less."

Riggers · « **Reply #57 on:** 07 February, 2011, 05:41:04 pm »

Is it The Bible?

Kathy · « **Reply #58 on:** 07 February, 2011, 05:42:25 pm »

Quote from: Flying_Monkey on 07 February, 2011, 05:16:40 pm

Quote from: Tom B on 07 February, 2011, 05:11:13 pm
Quote
would guess it's Kavalier and Clay,

Correct! Well done - you get to go next

Cheers!

From one of my favourite authors, who had a way with one-liners...

"All this happened, more or less."

Somethng by Vonnegut?

mattc · « **Reply #59 on:** 07 February, 2011, 05:48:49 pm »

I'm pretty sure it's Slaughterhouse Five. (so Kathy's turn unless someone challenges this - I don't have a copy to check)

Flying_Monkey · « **Reply #60 on:** 07 February, 2011, 08:08:09 pm »

Quote from: mattc on 07 February, 2011, 05:48:49 pm

I'm pretty sure it's Slaughterhouse Five. (so Kathy's turn unless someone challenges this - I don't have a copy to check)

Yup.

Deano · « **Reply #61 on:** 07 February, 2011, 08:10:13 pm »

Quote from: spindrift on 06 February, 2011, 08:17:07 pm

“It was the afternoon of my eighty-first birthday, and I was in bed with my catamite when Ali announced that the archbishop had come to see me.”

I don't think anyone's answered, this - it's Earthly Powers by Anthony Burgess. Not one you're likely to forget.

RJ · « **Reply #62 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:07:08 pm »

"It was the day my grandmother exploded."

Nice, easy one ...

andrewc · « **Reply #63 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:12:11 pm »

Iain Banks, The Crow Road.

RJ · « **Reply #64 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:15:24 pm »

In one

andrewc · « **Reply #65 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:18:57 pm »

"When a day that you happen to know is Wednesday starts off by sounding like Sunday, there is something seriously wrong somewhere"

Wowbagger · « **Reply #66 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:20:32 pm »

Quote from: andrewc on 08 February, 2011, 11:18:57 pm

"When a day that you happen to know is Wednesday starts off by sounding like Sunday, there is something seriously wrong somewhere"

The Day of the Triffids. John Wyndham.

Bledlow · « **Reply #67 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:25:45 pm »

"`Take my camel dear', said my aunt Dot, as she climbed down from this animal on her return from High Mass."

Wowbagger · « **Reply #68 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:27:09 pm »

Oi! I thought it was my turn!

Bledlow · « **Reply #69 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:29:15 pm »

I thought you'd buggered off.

Never mind, I don't think anyone will be worried about having a choice.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #70 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:30:20 pm »

"As the alarm clock on the chest of drawers exploded like a horrid
little bomb of bell metal, Dorothy, wrenched from the depths of
some complex, troubling dream, awoke with a start and lay on her
back looking into the darkness in extreme exhaustion."

Tim Hall · « **Reply #71 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:32:19 pm »

Well it sure don't look like ~~Kansas~~ The Wizard of Oz.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #72 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:40:27 pm »

Quote from: Tim Hall on 08 February, 2011, 11:32:19 pm

Well it sure don't look like ~~Kansas~~ The Wizard of Oz.

Torslanda · « **Reply #73 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:48:06 pm »

George Orwell - The Clergyman's Daughter

Is it my go now?

Wowbagger · « **Reply #74 on:** 08 February, 2011, 11:51:19 pm »

Quote from: torslanda on 08 February, 2011, 11:48:06 pm

George Orwell - The Clergyman's Daughter

Is it my go now?

Yes. Well done.