The guess the opening line of great novels game

[The Brighton Bear]

"The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there".

The Go-Between.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

In the first place, why did I steal the aircraft?

 

[Goldstone1976]

"The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there".

That's "The Go Between", by Hartley.

"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."

 

[Pogue Mahone]

This is another one of those which I feel I should know.

Yes, me too. It will be an old classic.

 

[Shatner's Bassoon]

I'm thinking maybe E M Forster, but without any confidence.

Ah, just seen the above post.

 

[Goldstone1976]

In the first place, why did I steal the aircraft?

Hmmm - sounds like it might be a Ballard line?

 

[Shatner's Bassoon]

That's "The Go Between", by Hartley.

"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."

The Great Gatsby

 

[bhafc99]

"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."

Great Gatsby

 

[Goldstone1976]

The Great Gatsby

...and to bhafc99 too!

 

[The Brighton Bear]

"It was a bright day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Hmmm - sounds like it might be a Ballard line?

It does, rather, doesn't it?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

"It was a bright day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."

1984! I was waiting for this one - nearly did it myself.

 

[pasty]

Other than Rebecca, no idea. Think you might have stumped the quiz already!

Ok, the other one is The Key to Rebecca by Ken Follett. A spy novel where the key to the agents code is the novel Rebecca.

I guess I cheated a bit from the thread title as it is hardly a "great" novel

 

[Goldstone1976]

It does, rather, doesn't it?

Oh, you tease. Bugger - Cocaine Nights?? Not confident.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Oh, you tease. Bugger - Cocaine Nights?? Not confident.

Earlier. And possibly more psychedelic...

 

[Goldstone1976]

Earlier. And possibly more psychedelic...

Hmmm. More psychedelic? Ta for the clue. Crystal World??

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Hmmm. More psychedelic? Ta for the clue. Crystal World??

Closer...think sleep.

 

[bhafc99]

I am seated in an office, surrounded by heads and bodies.

 

[Tarpon]

I am seated in an office, surrounded by heads and bodies.

No one knows. Clue?

 

[smillie's garden]

I am seated in an office, surrounded by heads and bodies.

Infinite Jest


"Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board."