famous last lines

[adelaidesean]

io9 posted a list of their favourite last lines of SF novels, but mine wasn't there! It's from Solaris:

"I knew nothing, and I persisted in the faith that the time of cruel miracles was not past."

Good old Lem.  Guaranteed to be glum, in a beautiful way.

What's your favourite SF last line?  Do you have one?  If not, why not?  Rush to your shelf and pull out your favourite book and see why it left you with such an excellent aftertaste!

Comments

[brendanpodger.livejournal.com]

After the ending to 1984 which is included in the article me next would be from "The Sheep Look Up" by John Brunner

"The brigade would have a long way to go," the doctor told her
curtly. "It's from America. The wind's blowing that way."

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Awesome. John Brunner was great, wasn't he?

[norilana.livejournal.com]

Usually the resolution that gives true satisfaction happens long before the last line, at least in my case.

Good last lines are like the pretty cherry on top of the whipped cream on top of the glorious dessert. No more, no less.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Totally agree, just like the beginnings of novels aren't all about the opening lines. There are cherries and there are cherries, though. Every now and again, something stunning stands out.

Or maybe I just like to think that someone else out there is noticing the effort I put into them. :-)

[evilpaul.livejournal.com]

Do you have one? If not, why not? Rush to your shelf and pull out your favourite book and see why it left you with such an excellent aftertaste!

I don't have one, so I rushed off and grabbed Permutation City

"After a moment, her eyes began to water from the stench"

Mmmmmmm, tasty.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

"It all adds up to normality." - Quarantine

Egan's a great choice!

Famous last lines

[(Anonymous)]

I did indeed rush to my bookshelf. It's not as good as Lem's but there is Maureen F. McHugh's "China Mountain Zhang":

The sun will rise again.

or some such thing. -Alex

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

Umm, the only one I can think of at the moment:

"Overhead, without any fuss, the stars were going out."

- Arthur C. Clarke "The Nine Million Names of God"

Re-posted because I got the quote wrong

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

Does Dante's Inferno count?

"It was from there that we emerged, to see, once more, the stars"


Mine you, there are so many translations....

Re: Re-posted because I got the quote wrong

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Lovely! Makes me want to see what Niven and Pournelle did at the end of their version of Inferno but I seem to have loaned my copy to someone...

Re: Re-posted because I got the quote wrong

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that Dante counts.

I haven't read Niven and Pournelle's version in 20 years. I think I need to renew the acquaintance...

In other news, I've just realized that the first version of Inferno that I ever read was Dorothy L Sayers' translation (she is the creator of my favourite sleuth).

Re: Re-posted because I got the quote wrong

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Spooky. Sayers has been on my mind these last few days, thanks to something I've been working on. Really must look her up again too.

Too many books, too little time!

Re: Re-posted because I got the quote wrong

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

I'm re-reading Nine Tailors (my favourite) for what must be the 20th time....

I need to read some Wodehouse.

Re: Re-posted because I got the quote wrong

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

I need to read some Wodehouse.

You and me both. Everyone, in fact.

Ever heard of/read Baroness Emmuska Orczy?

Re: Re-posted because I got the quote wrong

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

The Scarlet Pimpernel? Oh, yes. I was in love with Sir Percy (as the Pimpernel of course) for years.

Have you ever read any of Rafael Sabatini's books?

Re: Re-posted because I got the quote wrong

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

No, but again I know I should. His titles are awesome.

Re: Re-posted because I got the quote wrong

[murasaki-1966.livejournal.com]

He started the Hollywood pirate craze. Captain Blood and The Sea Hawk are both adaptions of his novels.

The first book Iain ever gave me was a collection of Sabatini short tories. Now you see why I love him?

As you say: so many books, so little time. We need a t-shirt to that effect.