Famous First and Last Lines

(A/N We selected random, famous first and last lines of novels in my Creative Writing class. We then had to research their origin, some about the author of the novel, and then write a short explanation of the plot and why or why not we'd be interested in reading the novel.)

Famous First Line:

“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.”
-JD Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

JD Salinger was born January 1, 1919 in Manhattan. He lived a reclusive lifestyle, produced his first work in 1965 and gave his last public interview in 1980.

The story is recounted by Holden Caulfield and the events of his trip to New York following his expulsion from school and a fight with his roommate. He interacts with many interesting characters, from nuns to ladies of the night, as he deals with his own internal struggles of growing up and mourning. 

Based on the synopsis of this book, I would be very interested in reading it. It has a lot of dark, yet realistic themes, that intrigue me. 

Famous Last Line:
"I closed my eyes, head drooping, like a person drunk for so long she no longer realizes she's drunk, and then, drunk, awoke to the world which lay before me."
-Kathy Acker, Don Quixote, which was a dream

American novelist Kathy Acker was born in New York City in 1947. She identified herself as a playwright, experimental novelist, punk poet, and a sex-positive feminist writer. She gave credit to the influences of French critical theory, philosophy, and pornography. She died in Tijuana, Mexico in 1997.

A twist on the folklore classic, whereas Don Quixote is portrayed as a woman on the quest to be knighted all the while fighting the enchanters of Modern America. 

I'd be interested in reading this book, because the edgy personality of the author really draws me in. I'm interested to see what she had to say.