Beginnings, and endings, to tease the literary memory

Press, 31 December 1982, Page 19

Beginnings, and endings, to tease the literary memory

Readers are invited to test their recollections of how notable authors have begun or ended their books, and to submit their answers to "The Press.”

Below are 28 quotations, all from different authors. Fourteen are the opening passages of well known books, or books by well known authors; 14 are the concluding passages of well known books. All the quotations come from different authors. The dates of the first appearance of.the books are given to provide a clue. Contestants are asked to provide the name of the book, and the author, for each quotation. A book-token prize of $5O will be awarded for the first correct entry opened. If no correct entry is received the prize will go to the entry most nearly correct. A book-token second prize of $l5 will also be awarded.

Entries should be addressed to: Literary Editor, “The Press," P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch 1.

Entries must arrive by Monday, January 17. None will be opened before that date. The correct answers, and the names of the prizewinners, will appear on this page on Saturday, January 22.

7 Naylor was deaf again. Nothing serious. a ball of wax in the ear. He got out of the bus — the vibration hurt him - and made for the nearest cafe. - 1936. 8 When I reached “C” company lines, which were at the top of the hill, I paused and looked back at the camp, just coming into full view below me through the grey mist of early morning. We were leaving that day. — 1946. 9 It was a bright cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen. — 1949. 10 The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. — 1953. 11 The boy with fair hair lowered himself down the last few feet of rock and began to pick his way towards the lagoon. Though he had taken off his school sweater and trailed it now from one hand, his grey shirt stuck to him and his hair was plastered to his forehead. — 1954. 12 It was love at first sight. The first time Yossarian saw the chaplain he fell madly in love with him. — 1961. 13 If I had been the hero everyone thought I was. or even a half-decent soldier. Lee would have won the battle of Gettysburg and probably captured Washington. — 1970. 14 The primroses were over. Towards ' the edge of the wood, where the ground became open and sloped down to an old fence and a brambly ditch beyond, only a few fading patches of pale yellow still showed among the dogs mercury and oak-tree roots. — 1972.

3 ... listened to the soft wind breaking through the grass: and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumber for the sleepers in that quiet earth. — 1847. 4 Please subscribe quickly. Address to the Mansion House, care of the Lord Mayor, whom I will instruct to receive names and subscriptions for me until I can organise a committee. - 1872. 5 And Montmorency, standing on his hind legs, before the window, peering out into the night, gave a short bark of decided concurrence with the toast. - 1889. 6 He was withered, wrinkled and loathsome of visage. It was not till they had examined the rings that they recognised who it was. — 1890. 7 And strangest of all it is to hold my wife’s hand again, and to think that I have counted her, and that she has counted me, among the dead. — 1898. 8 He crossed his hands on his lap and smiled, as a man may who has won salvation for himself and his beloved. - 1902. 9 It was done; it was finished. Yes. she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue. I have had my vision. - 1927. 10 That night he and Beatrice pretended to be two little children and had their bath together. Two little children sitting at opposite ends of the big oldfashioned bath. And what a romp they had! The bathroom was drenched with their splashing. Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven. — 1928. 11 I must say I’m damn tired. — 1951, 12 It’s nice having a bear about the house, — 1958. 13 He stood glaring round him like a blinded bull in the arena. As he fell, Leamas saw a small car smashed between great lorries, and the children waving cheerfully through the window. — 1963. 14 He thrilled as each cage door opened and the wild sables made their leap and broke for the snow — black on white, black on white, black on white, and then gone. — 1981.