hooks a reader into reading
more, the last line determines how they will feel when they’ve finished. The protagonist
has healed their wound, they’ve run their race and grown as a result. Mostly,
we remember first lines and rarely, do we remember last lines. But we do
remember how we feel when we finish. And sometimes, if the story is so
compelling and we are overwhelmed by the emotions the story raised in us, we
just might read that book again instantly.
Here's a famous one: “Tomorrow, I’ll think of some way to
get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day.” From Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
‘It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever
done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.’ A Tale
of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Temporarily Insane by Vicki Batman: He took a deep breath
and said something I never-never, ever-ever thought I would hear, “Come on,
sweetheart. Let’s get lucky.” Amazon
Demon Cursed by Karilyn Bentley: Nothing will ever be the
same, but tomorrow dawns another day. Amazon
"The Case of the Tainted Blood" in Curious
Incidents by Liese Sherwood-Fabre: "There are
flasks of tainted blood for us to ferret out. The game's afoot." Mocha Memoirs Press
IN THE TOWER OF THE WIZARD KING by Michelle Miles: “Sean,
what just happened?” Her breath plumed white. “Liam must have used the Time
Sphere. He altered time.” Amazon
One Night with the Professor by Linda Steinberg: Leave it
to a college professor to verbalize a paragraph of poetry when only three words
were necessary. Leaning into his breath, Nora joined her soul with his. “I love
you too.” Amazon
Hannah by Chris Keniston: "And one of these days I'll
find the right woman, just don't get your hopes up it will be at the
reception." "I don't care where you find her so long as she's not
behind bars." At least that was one promise he should easily be able to
keep. Website
Refuge for Masterminds by Kathleen Baldwin: He kisses me and I forget all the other games in the world. I forget Napoleon, and Ghost, and Daneska. I even forget to worry about the future. When we’re together like this, I believe anything is possible. Believing is a lot like trusting. And it is enough. Amazon
Question for readers: what book had you instantly opening it again and rereading?
13 comments:
so much fun seeing the first lines and now the last lines - Fun post Vicki!
Thank you, Chris. I've read two books, closed them and my eyes and went aah, and instantly reread because of the emotion and the ending.
Oh, be still my heart! I love last lines that make your heart skip a beat. All of these were a delight, Vicki...so of course, I'm going to have to look up the ones I haven't read. I so agree with you, the delivery of a last line can break your heart, ring so exquisitely true that you want to go back inside the story again and again. I have to say, I'm as much a last line gal as I am an opening line, girl. Loved the post...reading again :) You did your job well ;) lol
Hi, Loretta! Thank you so much for stopping and your comment. The two books I've reread instantly are Knight in Shining Armor and Come to Grief. And to this day, I have a feeling about these books that is the same. Hugs!
I've enjoyed seeing the last lines. And your other post on the first lines too! Thanks for putting together this post!
Hi, Karilyn. It's been fun to pull together these posts. Hugs, GF.
Great post! Enjoyed seeing the last lines and wondering about the storyline. I've just finished reading and rereading I Found You by Lisa Jewell. She ends the book with dialogue:
"Shall we go?"
"Yes," says Alice. "I'm ready."
Great post Vicki!
I always pray I leave my readers feeling satisfied and filled with hope.
Good luck and God's blessings
PamT
One of the worse things in the literary world is reading an entire book, and not liking how it ends.
So true about last lines. I've never forgotten the end of Gone with the Wind and A Tale of Two Cities. Thanks for adding some memorable ones. New books to explore!
Hi, Joanne! I think that's a fabulous ending. Thank you for sharing.
Hi, Pam! I believe authors want readers to be satisfied and especially with romance. Hugs.
Hi, Angela! Oh dear. This is a toughy.
Hi, Cat! Thank you for stopping by. The end of GWTW really shows her determination to march forward. I'm so glad you can explore too!!
There's many books I've felt that way about. Especially the ones that have compelling characters. Great post!
Hi, Ilona! So glad you visited today. I agree, there are fabulous books out there and if I read one I really like, I usually tell someone. That old shampoo commercial thing about sharing products. Glad you like the post.
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