41
*Citation Needed (hexbear.net)
top 5 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

His name Loomings.
"Call me Ishmael."
(No money interest on shore.)

[-] woodenghost@hexbear.net 10 points 1 day ago

My creative writing class once did an exercise on first sentences of novels.

I liked:"My purpose, my sole purpose—believe me!—is merely to re-establish the truth." from "Home of the Sailor" by Jorge Amado. Haven't read it myself yet though. I know it's an unreliable narrator.

[-] PorkrollPosadist@hexbear.net 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Only one of the most recognizable sentences in the English literary canon.

[-] Posadas@hexbear.net 5 points 1 day ago

Probably only beaten out by "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo."

Also, I don't think there will ever be another work that manages to establish a character in the first three opening words.

this post was submitted on 28 May 2026
41 points (100.0% liked)

Chapotraphouse

14375 readers
639 users here now

Banned? DM Wmill to appeal.

No anti-nautilism posts. See: Eco-fascism Primer

Slop posts go in c/slop. Don't post low-hanging fruit here.

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS