Monday, June 29, 2015

The Classics - Opening Lines: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Timeless_Books.jpg/320px-Timeless_Books.jpgI am an invisible man. No, I am not a spook like those who haunted Edgar Allan Poe; nor am I one of your Hollywood -movie ectoplasms. I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids -- and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. (Published 1952) 

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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18 comments:

  1. Catherine EnsleyJune 29, 2015 at 8:11 AM

    Said like a classic Enneagram style nine.

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    1. Sharon HimslJuly 1, 2015 at 8:05 PM

      Thanks for the input Cathy. I remember your enneagrom series was so good. I learned a lot!

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  2. nashvillecats2June 29, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    A very cleverly written opening lines.
    Yvonne.

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    1. Sharon HimslJuly 1, 2015 at 8:07 PM

      I read these opening lines and think, why can't I be so clever?

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  3. Chrys FeyJune 29, 2015 at 8:41 AM

    Oh, I like how this one starts. I'm a fan of dark and creepy stories and that's the vibes this opening gives off. I'll have to add Invisible Man to my TBR list.

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    1. Sharon HimslJuly 1, 2015 at 8:09 PM

      Hi Chrys. Indeed, this is right up your alley ;) Enjoy!

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  4. klahanieJune 30, 2015 at 7:48 PM

    Hey Sharon,

    I could see right through that opening sentence :)

    Gary who will suddenly disappear..........

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    1. Sharon HimslJuly 1, 2015 at 8:10 PM

      Ha-Ha. You crack me up, Gary. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. Elizabeth Varadan, AuthorJuly 1, 2015 at 8:54 AM

    Powerful opening.

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  6. BirgitJuly 1, 2015 at 11:14 AM

    What a great opening line. Very creepy and you can sense his "issues"

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    1. Sharon HimslJuly 1, 2015 at 8:13 PM

      I know. I may have to read this one. Has me curious now. Thanks, Birgit.

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  7. Susan ScottJuly 2, 2015 at 5:12 AM

    Mmmmm; just back from being out - and on the radio in my car was a talk about people about being invisible, whether because of being old, or fat or whatever ... but the question of being invisible '... because people refuse to see me' pertains in this sense perhaps.

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  8. Sharon HimslJuly 2, 2015 at 11:44 PM

    I find that interesting. Have never read this book but do wonder at the hidden meanings the author implies.

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  9. JazzFeathersJuly 3, 2015 at 9:44 PM

    I read Invisible Man a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. It's kind of a strange book, that tells multiple stories at multiple levels and I think the incipit is just perfect :-)

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  10. Sharon HimslJuly 5, 2015 at 12:12 AM

    Oh this sounds really good. Thanks Sarah for your input!

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  11. AnonymousJuly 5, 2015 at 10:26 PM

    Gorgeous opening line. I so love this series!

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  12. Sharon HimslJuly 6, 2015 at 4:54 PM

    Thank you Alex!

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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.