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This is page 1 of 6 (This thread has 59 messages.) First | Previous | Next | Last Go to page

What line of fiction has sent a chill down your spine?

(59 Posts)
Have just read 1984 for the first time (-aged 32 - late I know) We did Animal Farm at school but I didn't get around to reading this until now.

I was fairly gripped and enjoying it to the point where Julia and Winston are echoed with 'You are the dead' & omg, it was so chilling..couldn't put the blardy thing down till the end grin

Any MNers experienced any similar literary chills?
Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 28-Jun-09 20:58:27
I've only read The Collector once... and I'm determined never to read it again, as it couldn't possibly have the same chilling impact as it did the first time.
The Collector makes me feel sick every time I recall it.
Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sat 27-Jun-09 22:28:11
A line from one of Antonia Forest's books

'...but of course, once in every lifetime tomorrow never comes'
Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sat 27-Jun-09 21:23:40
So many good ones here; I second 'Kevin' and 'Survivor Type' and 'After the Hole'.

Mine are:

The last paragraph of the prologue of The Secret History, where Richard is talking about Bunny's death..."At one time in my life I might have had any number of stories, but now there is no other. This is the only story I will ever be able to tell."

And the last paragraph of The Collector, which I can't quote word for word, but you realise the protagonist has selected his next victim and is preparing the cellar in readiness...
Add message | Report | Contact poster By Fri 26-Jun-09 16:17:54
I read some seriously disturbing horror when I worked at a library. The TV series Fallen Angel gave me the creeps when I saw the trailer - I mentioned to DH that the only other thing that had given me that feeling that was a book called 'The Four Last Things'. Strangely the TV series was an adaptation of it!
Add message | Report | Contact poster By Thu 25-Jun-09 17:09:48
I've read Voyage of the Dawntreader recently too and noticed that Janite. That date comes up in other books too I've noticed - spooky

Re. Rebecca - the very beginning when the narrator is describing going back to Mandeley in a dream and hearing the pitter patter of the leaves on the drive which sound like a woman's footsteps running down to the cove . . . shivery!
I am re-reading the Narnia books at the moment. There is a line in "Dawntreader@ which says something like "after September 11th, he forgot all about writing in his diary" which I must admit, in a post 9/11 world, really jumped out at me last night.
Add message | Report | Contact poster By Thu 25-Jun-09 10:00:07
Oh Jude the Obscure. It's years since I read it but so so awful.
Add message | Report | Contact poster By Wed 24-Jun-09 22:58:18
MrsD and ImOverThere - it does stick with you doesn't it?! Mind you I'm trying to think in terms of 'life's too short, better get on with it' rather than consulting the calender and wondering 'will it, at some point in the furture, be today?' <shudders>

Just wish I could remember which one it was in now!
Add message | Report | Contact poster By Wed 24-Jun-09 22:40:30
MrsDanvers, it might well be that line! blush

It's been a while since I read it.... [blush again]
This is page 1 of 6 (This thread has 59 messages.) First | Previous | Next | Last Go to page
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