Quindiana Jones
12-03-2013, 04:06 AM
Discuss books, films and what-nots which you have become interested in purely because of an outstanding tagline or blurb or opening sentence. Bonus points for providing the examples.
The Dresden Files is one example for me. I was in a random bookshop in Alberta, Canada and was just skimming spines. Saw a book called Storm Front, which sounded interesting, and I liked the cover (some dude standing somewhere). I can't remember the exact words, but I loved the way Dresden introduces himself in a completely normal way, as if his being a wizard based in Chicago is a non-event. This theme continues with another example, courtesy of Shorty:
"A friendly desert community where the sun is hot, the moon is beautiful, and mysterious lights pass overhead while we all pretend to sleep. Welcome to Night Vale.
Hello, listeners. To start things off, I've been asked to read this brief notice. The city council announces the opening of a new dog park at the corner of Earl and Somerset, near the Ralph's. They would like to remind everyone that dogs are not allowed in the dog park. People are not allowed in the dog park. It is possible you will see hooded figures in the dog park. Do not approach them. Do not approach the dog park. The fence is electrified and highly dangerous. Try not to look at the dog park, and especially, do not look for any period of time at the hooded figures. The dog park will not harm you."
An utterly creepy and unusual concept expressed in as mundane a way as possible.
And Yahtzee covers A Machine For Pigs excellent opening line - "Daddy, please don't kill me." in his Extra Punctuation article. It is similarly attractive to me as the examples above; something truly bizarre stated as something average.
I love openings like these. :)
Extension activity; talk about incredible endings that have hooked you even further.
The Dresden Files is one example for me. I was in a random bookshop in Alberta, Canada and was just skimming spines. Saw a book called Storm Front, which sounded interesting, and I liked the cover (some dude standing somewhere). I can't remember the exact words, but I loved the way Dresden introduces himself in a completely normal way, as if his being a wizard based in Chicago is a non-event. This theme continues with another example, courtesy of Shorty:
"A friendly desert community where the sun is hot, the moon is beautiful, and mysterious lights pass overhead while we all pretend to sleep. Welcome to Night Vale.
Hello, listeners. To start things off, I've been asked to read this brief notice. The city council announces the opening of a new dog park at the corner of Earl and Somerset, near the Ralph's. They would like to remind everyone that dogs are not allowed in the dog park. People are not allowed in the dog park. It is possible you will see hooded figures in the dog park. Do not approach them. Do not approach the dog park. The fence is electrified and highly dangerous. Try not to look at the dog park, and especially, do not look for any period of time at the hooded figures. The dog park will not harm you."
An utterly creepy and unusual concept expressed in as mundane a way as possible.
And Yahtzee covers A Machine For Pigs excellent opening line - "Daddy, please don't kill me." in his Extra Punctuation article. It is similarly attractive to me as the examples above; something truly bizarre stated as something average.
I love openings like these. :)
Extension activity; talk about incredible endings that have hooked you even further.