Monday, May 25, 2015

The Classics - Opening Lines: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Timeless_Books.jpg/320px-Timeless_Books.jpg
I had the story, bit by bit, from various people, and, as generally happens in such cases, each time it was a different story.
(published 1911)
I love the classics and plan to share some "opening lines" over the coming months. Comment if you like, or read for inspiration. Writing styles were different then, but were they really?

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22 comments:

  1. klahanieMay 25, 2015 at 8:12 PM

    Hey Sharon,

    Nothing like some classic opening lines. I remember trying some classic opening lines to this particular lady and um....Oh, you meant books! :)

    Gary

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    1. Sharon HimslMay 26, 2015 at 3:23 PM

      ha-ha.....I see you are in a chipper mood today, Gary :)

      Delete
  2. Susan ScottMay 26, 2015 at 2:14 AM

    So much said in so few words! Thank you. I haven't read Ethan Frome. Not so long ago I read The Age of Innocence which I so enjoyed.

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    1. Sharon HimslMay 26, 2015 at 3:24 PM

      Honestly, it's been so long, I don't even remember the story! But I do know it's a classic :)

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  3. Bell of PeaceMay 26, 2015 at 2:52 AM

    The article lighten my heart. Thank you. http://www.bellofpeace.org

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  4. Elizabeth Varadan, AuthorMay 26, 2015 at 6:38 AM

    I read Ethan Frome years and years ago and again more recently. Both times I found it a little masterpiece, a small gem, capturing such a poignant story in such a small frame.

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    1. Sharon HimslMay 26, 2015 at 3:25 PM

      I really need to reread this myself. I don't remember it!!

      Delete
  5. BirgitMay 26, 2015 at 11:47 AM

    I had never read this story. It seems he hears different versions of an event...or am I wrong?

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  6. CherdoMay 26, 2015 at 2:40 PM

    Ethan Frome is such a great book - I love it. I miss tales with true depth sometimes!

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    1. Sharon HimslMay 26, 2015 at 5:13 PM

      Good to hear, and one more reason to read. I'm adding this to my TBR list.

      Delete
  7. dennistheeremiteMay 26, 2015 at 9:32 PM

    I love the phrasing of the sentence: never have read anything by Wharton. The sentence is true and I try to be very careful about the principle it lays down.

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  8. Sharon HimslMay 26, 2015 at 10:17 PM

    Yes, so true of gossip and easier than we think to do. Thanks for commenting, Dennis!

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  9. cleemckenzieMay 28, 2015 at 10:14 AM

    Edith Wharton had her way with words, didn't she? Loved her short story,Descent of Man.

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    1. Sharon HimslMay 31, 2015 at 6:51 PM

      Thanks Lee. I confess I have not read this author's works. Need to do that!

      Delete
  10. CindyMay 28, 2015 at 2:43 PM

    That opening line seems like a hint that things are going to get more complicated. I would want to know more.

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    1. Sharon HimslMay 31, 2015 at 6:53 PM

      That's the trick too, isn't it? Enticing the reader from the very first line!

      Delete
  11. Stephanie FarisMay 29, 2015 at 5:35 AM

    The way lines were written back then was often different, but the message holds true today, as well. It's interesting to see how different things were but people dealt with many of the same things we deal with today.

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    1. Sharon HimslMay 31, 2015 at 6:53 PM

      I agree. I think we can learn a lot from the old school authors :)

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  12. Teresa CypherMay 31, 2015 at 1:17 AM

    Wonderful blogpost. These lines would be enough to grab me even today if this were a current book. :-)

    Sometimes I go to Amazon, and using the "look inside" feature, I'll read the opening lines of a dozen novels to see what works and what doesn't. :-)

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

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    1. Sharon HimslMay 31, 2015 at 6:56 PM

      I sometimes do the same. You can learn a lot from the first page and it makes me realize how important that first line (and first page) really is!

      Delete

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You could call me an eternal optimist, but I'm really just a dreamer. l believe in dream fulfillment, because 'sometimes' dreams come true. This is a blog about my journey as a writer and things that inspire and motivate me.