There have been tons of "first sentence" and "first paragraph" contests lately, where you're judged on your ability to hook the reader as quickly as possible. It got me to thinking: how important is a hook?
To examine this issue further, I pulled out my copy of THE SECRET HISTORY by Donna Tartt, one of my very favorite novels. A couple of years ago, I was browsing B&N for something good, and I grabbed a copy of THE LITTLE FRIEND (by the same author) and took it up to the register. The employee advised me in a low voice to go back and get her other book instead. I'm glad I followed his advice because, although THE LITTLE FRIEND is good, I liked THE SECRET HISTORY a lot more.
I was sucked in from the very first page. Which was, mind you, part of a prologue. (Ya know how everyone's saying agents hate prologues? I guess, like everything else, it depends on how good it is.)
Here's the first sentence: The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of the situation.
Me? Hooked right there! Plenty of stories start out with a murder, but this story is unique because the narrator is so conversational and matter-of-fact that you take his side immediately, even though he's just had a hand in a guy's death. You go into the story wondering exactly what role the narrator played in Bunny's death and whether he'll make it out okay in the end (the narrator, not Bunny, of course). So once Tartt starts chapter one, you're trying to figure out exactly what happened from the beginning and whether Bunny is enough of a jerk that people would want to kill him.
Of course, hooks and crazy plots are nothing if the story is not delivered well, and Tartt excels at delivery. Her prose style is so beautiful; when I read her stuff, I am continuously stopping and wondering how anyone could think of such beautiful phrasing.
I suppose, in the end, the hook is just part of the package, the promise of a good story. Without it, the reader will never get past the first page. But, to keep your reader engaged, you've got to be able to deliver on your promise.
What's the first line of your favorite book? Did it hook you right away, or did it take a few pages?
Lame.
6 hours ago
7 comments:
They're all dead now.
-Fall on Your Knees by: Ann-Marie MacDonald
One of my favorite books of all time.
Oooh, that sounds good. I'll have to read that.
he he, my word verification is icadingle.
*ahem* fourth grade humor over. Anyway, I too was intrigued by that first line. There's just something about it.
The first time a book just grabbed me was in high school. I was in English class and I literally reached back behind me to grab a book. I might have been joking around. Anyway, I opened The Giver and was immediately engrossed. I took it home and finished it that day.
I don't usually get hooked on the first line but rather the Title of the book... Leadership books and real life stories usually invite me to open and read... :o)
anyway, saw you in one of the blogs i visited and i'm inviting you to check out my blog. it would be nice to hear what you have to say... blogging is how I learn so reading your opinion and experience add on to my learning. would be really appreciated if you come by and share.
thanks!
http://shewritesyouwrite.blogspot.com/
One of my opening lines is from Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn:
"To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor."
Hooked!
AC, haha! That is an AWESOME first line!
Loved the first sentence you posted, and the one KM Walton posted!
I do think the first sentence can be all it takes, but I don't give up on a book if the first sentence isn't phenomenal. It takes 2-5 pages for me to give up on a book, usually.
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