Monday, September 14, 2015

The Classics - Opening Lines: Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Timeless_Books.jpg/320px-Timeless_Books.jpgAll children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs. Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, "Oh, why can't you remain like this for ever!" This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. (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?


12 comments:

  1. Great lines from a great book and author.
    Yvonne.

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    1. Really enjoyed the recent movie version of this author.

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  2. Can you believe that I've never read Peter and Wendy? True story.

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  3. I have not read this and I can't believe it actually. I was never into Peter Pan but I never gave the book a chance

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    1. I think reading it might be worthwhile.... original text was a screenplay for theater. Book version came later.

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  4. I read it but so long ago I'd forgotten the opening. I think books used to start a little more slowly than they do now, but this still has enough of a hook to make the reader want to continue.

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    1. I'm glad you saw the hook too. I sometimes wish current works started more slowly.

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  5. Wow, hard to believe I've never read this. That's such a great opening!

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  6. Hi human, Sharon,

    Oh my, not so sure about those opening lines. Way too much use of the conjunction word, "and" and that's all I have to say about "and"!

    Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses,

    Penny xx

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    1. True..... but still a great story that lives on today. There's a shaggy dog in the story you might like :)

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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.