Page 11 | Guess the opening lines...

kinkytoes · 2026-05-14T14:02:19+00:00

Hi all, hope it's ok to start this here. Thought it might be fun and stretch the old grey matter a bit. I'll attach a shot of some opening lines and whoever guesses correctly post their own? We could all just post pics but then we might lose track. I don't mind. Let me know what you think (of the idea, and the opening lines here - hopefully started off with an easyish one but let me know if any clues are needed!) If it's being done elsewhere please someone direct me 😊

HelenaWilson · 14/05/2026 23:15

If only I knew what to do with you girls!’ said Dick in worried tones.

The School at the Chalet!

(The series is now complete on Faded Page Search: fadedpage.com)

Search: fadedpage.com

https://www.fadedpage.com/csearch.php?author=Brent-Dyer,%20Elinor%20Mary

ivyleafgeranium · 14/05/2026 23:09

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:45

If only I knew what to do with you girls!’ said Dick in worried tones.

‘Oh, you needn’t worry about us!’ replied Madge.

‘Talk sense! I’m the only man there is in the family—except Great-Uncle William; and he’s not much use!’

‘Jolly well he isn’t! Poor dear! He’s all gout and crutches.’ And Madge threw back her head with a merry laugh.

Is that the chalet school

BeaAndBen · 14/05/2026 23:01

Tarnation!
I've been busy this afternoon so have only now been able to read this thread.

I've been excitedly thinking "I know that one" only to realise that obviously everyone else knows it too.

‘Jolly well he isn’t! Poor dear! He’s all gout and crutches.’ And Madge threw back her head with a merry laugh.
@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g - Chalet School? I read the first three this year.

Sunloungerhogger · 14/05/2026 22:51

Here’s mine (the name will give it away so going to keep it v v brief):

’Yo Logan’, I wrote.

Sunloungerhogger · 14/05/2026 22:49

ToadRage · 14/05/2026 21:08

I don't know many of these but I fancied posting one si here goes, the character might give it away for a fan:
You’ll pardon me, sir,” said the clergyman in a sharp, vigorous voice. “Your features are familiar, but I find it hard to recall where we have met. Was it in Oxford?” The young man was tall and thin and big boned, with a scar on his cheek. ... “You’re the Reverend Dr. Halse, aren’t you?” he said. ... “You know me, then,” said Dr. Halse with a gracious air. “I usually have a memory for faces.” “You have had many pupils.” “Ah, that explains it. Maturity changes a face. And—hm. Let me see… Is it Hawkey?

Edited

Poldark! (the first one - Ross Poldark: a novel of Cornwall 1783-1787)

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:45

If only I knew what to do with you girls!’ said Dick in worried tones.

‘Oh, you needn’t worry about us!’ replied Madge.

‘Talk sense! I’m the only man there is in the family—except Great-Uncle William; and he’s not much use!’

‘Jolly well he isn’t! Poor dear! He’s all gout and crutches.’ And Madge threw back her head with a merry laugh.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:39

Niminy · 14/05/2026 22:21

Little Women

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That's the one!

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:39

Undergroundovergroundwomblingfree · 14/05/2026 22:24

Swallows and Amazon's?

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Yes. My favourite series of children's books.

SabrinaThwaite · 14/05/2026 22:38

Roger, aged seven, and no longer the youngest of the family, ran in wide zigzags, to and fro, across the steep field that sloped up from the lake to Holly Howe, the farm where they were staying for part of the summer holidays.

Better drowned than duffers.

Swallows and Amazons.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:38

Niminy · 14/05/2026 22:20

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

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Yes! My son's favourite book when he was tiny.

HelenaWilson · 14/05/2026 22:29

Roger, aged seven, and no longer the youngest of the family, ran in wide zigzags, to and fro, across the steep field that sloped up from the lake to Holly Howe, the farm where they were staying for part of the summer holidays.

Better drowned than duffers.

Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anyone else, these pages must show.

Dickens? David Copperfield?

TheBookShelf · 14/05/2026 22:25

SabrinaThwaite · 14/05/2026 21:53

It was a pleasure to burn.

Fahrenheit 451

Niminy · 14/05/2026 22:24

Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anyone else, these pages must show.

Undergroundovergroundwomblingfree · 14/05/2026 22:24

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:11

Roger, aged seven, and no longer the youngest of the family, ran in wide zigzags, to and fro, across the steep field that sloped up from the lake to Holly Howe, the farm where they were staying for part of the summer holidays.

Swallows and Amazon's?

Undergroundovergroundwomblingfree · 14/05/2026 22:22

pollyhemlock · 14/05/2026 22:03

A recent one - The Names by Florence Knapp. Brilliant book.

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Spot on 😀

NormasArse · 14/05/2026 22:22

Thelessdeceived · 14/05/2026 17:28

:"When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow".

To Kill a Mockingbird

Niminy · 14/05/2026 22:21

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:19

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.

Little Women

Niminy · 14/05/2026 22:20

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:17

Once there was a little girl called Sophie, and she was having tea with her mummy in the kitchen. Suddenly there was a ring at the door. Sophie’s mummy said, “I wonder who that can be. It can’t be the milkman because he came this morning. And it can’t be the boy from the grocer because this isn’t the day he comes. And it can’t be Daddy because he’s got his key. We’d better open the door and see.” Sophie opened the door, and there was ...

Edited

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:19

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents,” grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:17

Once there was a little girl called Sophie, and she was having tea with her mummy in the kitchen. Suddenly there was a ring at the door. Sophie’s mummy said, “I wonder who that can be. It can’t be the milkman because he came this morning. And it can’t be the boy from the grocer because this isn’t the day he comes. And it can’t be Daddy because he’s got his key. We’d better open the door and see.” Sophie opened the door, and there was ...

minipie · 14/05/2026 22:16

Still got the title wrong though 😳

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:15

minipie · 14/05/2026 22:14

The hungry caterpillar

Edited: the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Edited

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Yes, I didn't think it would take long for most MNers to get that one!

minipie · 14/05/2026 22:14

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:13

In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.

The hungry caterpillar

Edited: the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:13

In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2026 22:11

Roger, aged seven, and no longer the youngest of the family, ran in wide zigzags, to and fro, across the steep field that sloped up from the lake to Holly Howe, the farm where they were staying for part of the summer holidays.