Now that the Tar Heels have lost, I can put some emotional energy into this bracket. Except the thought of having to choose between the opening line of in of Anna and p&p does the same thing to my nerves as the thought of Carolina, having to play Arizona did before today! (I wonder how big the Vin diagram of people having these parallel experiences is!)
First couple of rounds, I tried to ignore the book and only focus on "would this line make me want to read the book?" (Actually, I have requested a couple of books from our library simply based on first line in round one!)
By the third round, choosing is really hard. When the choice seems impossible, I fall back on "what line did the non-readers in high school know?" For example, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Everyone quoted that opener - even if they'd never read the book nor knew who Dickens was. It's a great opening line for a reason. I must confess, I graduated high school a long time ago....back when we had chalkboards and overhead projectors....
Yes! This is exactly how I approached the voting too. Which first line would make me want to read the book? I had to vote for some books I didn't like b/c the first lines were epic.
The fourth match-up was quite a challenge for me. “Call me Ishmael” is so iconic and direct. I had to ask the opinion of someone who had never heard either and still ended up flipping a coin. I was relieved when Melville won; I suppose it was confirmation to go with my first instinct, even though I felt like I had betrayed Lewis (he’s going to win anyhow).
I'm with the majority in 2/4. It's hard when I think the better opening line is not from the book I like better. Ah, well. It's fun to see what has made it through.
So I did this bracket with some friends and Dante won, with ATPH as the runner up.
#4 is a satisfying matchup. Both about appelations.
Also ships
The Tolstoy vs Tolkein matchup physically hurt. Also, Eustace all the way on the Narnia one
Well yall are much better closereaders than I. My pick was Charlotte's Web. I lost long ago.
You can keep voting anyway!
Now that the Tar Heels have lost, I can put some emotional energy into this bracket. Except the thought of having to choose between the opening line of in of Anna and p&p does the same thing to my nerves as the thought of Carolina, having to play Arizona did before today! (I wonder how big the Vin diagram of people having these parallel experiences is!)
This is impossible.
Anna K vs Hobbit has me dead
First couple of rounds, I tried to ignore the book and only focus on "would this line make me want to read the book?" (Actually, I have requested a couple of books from our library simply based on first line in round one!)
By the third round, choosing is really hard. When the choice seems impossible, I fall back on "what line did the non-readers in high school know?" For example, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Everyone quoted that opener - even if they'd never read the book nor knew who Dickens was. It's a great opening line for a reason. I must confess, I graduated high school a long time ago....back when we had chalkboards and overhead projectors....
Yes! This is exactly how I approached the voting too. Which first line would make me want to read the book? I had to vote for some books I didn't like b/c the first lines were epic.
The fourth match-up was quite a challenge for me. “Call me Ishmael” is so iconic and direct. I had to ask the opinion of someone who had never heard either and still ended up flipping a coin. I was relieved when Melville won; I suppose it was confirmation to go with my first instinct, even though I felt like I had betrayed Lewis (he’s going to win anyhow).
Wow, now that we are down to the final eight, my choices are all the underdogs! How interesting!
I'm with the majority in 2/4. It's hard when I think the better opening line is not from the book I like better. Ah, well. It's fun to see what has made it through.
I agree!
The Dickens match up killed me. Aargh! Which one, which one?!?
Team Eustace!
How is it that I disagree with so many of you?
This is getting harder and harder!
Oh come now. Pride and Prejudice should not win over Dante.
Why not?
I think the Dante line is the better line. 🤷🏼♀️
Well, of course I think Dante is "better" overall. But first line only? Still P&P for me.
agree!
I do love Pride and Prejudice, but I had to vote for Dante.
EXACTLY