In normal circumstances, after creating a list of 20 Novels I'm Ashamed I have NOT read, I would have continued to go about my daily life and paid no attention to said list. If I'm ashamed I haven't read these books, why would I procrastinate in reading them? I'm not sure what the answer is [length of novel, intimidation, creating structure to selecting books when I prefer limited structure, etc], but I know that is how I would react.As is customary on Fridays, here is the beginning of the novel:
It was the best of times,I like the opening to the novel, but I wouldn't regard it as some due as the best opening line of all-time. It tells me that opinion is subject to interpretation and that history repeats itself. I don't think it tells me all that much about the novel - the opening seems a bit more flash than substance. What do you think?
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,
we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way— in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.
6 comments:
I think it is memorable and unique. Very recognizable!
I think it's a beautiful and poetic opening. I agree that it doesn't tell you very much about what is to come, but sets a tone for Dickens' writing style. I hope you enjoy it. I am ashamed to admit I've never read this & most of Dickens' other classics, but this project of yours is so ambitious that I'm inclined to try it :o)
Hi-I just found your blog via the Book Blogger Hop-I was glad to see I am not the only participant in the hop who lists them selves as reading classics-I am happy to be a new follower of your blog
rereadinglives.blogspot.com
Mel u
It was the age of being paid by the word. :)
But it is a memorable opening and one of my favorite Dickens books.
Hey, I just found you on the Hop and glad I did! I look forward to your reviews.
I'm stopping by via the Hop - I, too, read classic literature, and it's nice to find someone who does so as well. Haven't read A Tale of Two Cities yet, and I didn't realise that the above opening lines belonged to it; they're quite familiar. Anyway, am subscribing now - you've got a great blog.
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