books' first sentence meme, final post

Even with the second sentences, no one managed to get the final four.

1. If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor


2. Life At These Speeds by Jeremy Jackson


3. Rama II by Arthur C. Clarke & Gentry Lee (near misses apparently made by rollick and yeppiagree)


4. Time Enough For Love by Robert Heinlein

Allow me to pause and take a moment to say something about If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things, because apparently I have been remiss in not already recommending it to everyone I know. I love this book. I am genuinely of the opinion that literally everyone who reads these words should run out right now and buy themselves a copy.

Its hard to say precisely why I like it as much as I do. Nothing especially happens over the course of the novel, and its not really about anything, except the events of a single summer day in England. I'm exaggerating a bit, there is of course some plot, but most of it takes place outside of the actual day. Maybe its the lyrical, poetical prose style that makes me so keen on it. Probably its at least a little bit the spiritual and existential message I took away from reading it (although its not an especially preachy book, really.) But in any event, if you haven't read this book or have even never heard of it before, I urge you to take a moment and consider adding it to your list.