"Be warned. This book has no literary merit whatsoever. It is a lurid piece of nonsense, convoluted, implausible, peopled by unconvincing characters, written in drearily pedestrian prose, frequently ridiculous and wilfully bizarre. Needless to say, I doubt you'll believe a word of it."
Thus begins Jonathan Barnes's incredible debut novel, THE SOMNAMBULIST, which we'll publish in February. Granted, it's a first paragraph, not a first line, but it's one of the strongest openings I've ever read, and it totally hooked me. I'd only intended to read a couple of pages, but when I next looked up, it was thirty minutes later and I was fifty-plus pages into the adventures of Edward Moon and his sidekick, the Somnambulist. I was utterly and completely lost, falling blissfully in love right then and there.
After finishing a couple of hours later (a rare case--contrary to popular opinion, editors don't spend the days reading at our desks, alas) I promply ran around the office making everyone read the first. With two exceptions, everyone was equally smitten. This happened when we asked authors for potential quotes as well--Christopher Bram (author of the divine Gods and Monsters, among other novels) sent a glowing quote within four days, and Jeff Vandermeer was persuaded to read the book after I sent him the first chapter.
No explosions, no car chases, just a deliciously clever hook from a narrator you hate to love, and love to hate. The narrator's voice is compelling, and the rest of the story is equally good--wonderfully convoluted and confusing and utterly addicting. I couldn't put it down.
The complete prologue follows below the jump--I hope you'll be as hooked as I am.
-- Diana
Be warned. This book has no literary merit whatsoever. It is a lurid piece of nonsense, convoluted, implausible, peopled by unconvincing characters, written in drearily pedestrian prose, frequently ridiculous and wilfully bizarre. Needless to say, I doubt you’ll believe a word of it.
Yet I cannot be held wholly accountable for its failings. I have good reason for presenting you with so sensational and unlikely an account.
It is all true. Every word of what follows actually happened and I am merely the journalist, the humble Boswell, who has set it down. You’ll have realised by now that I am new to this business of storytelling, that I lack the skill of an expert, that I am without any ability to enthral the reader, to beguile with narrative tricks or charm with sleight of hand.
But I can promise you three things: to relate events in their neatest and most appropriate order; to omit nothing I consider significant; and to be as frank and free with you as I am able.
I must ask you in return to show some little understanding for a man come late in life to tale-telling, an artless dilettante who, on dipping his toes into the shallows of story, hopes only that he will not needlessly embarrass himself.
One final thing, one final warning: in the spirit of fair play, I ought to admit that I shall have reason to tell you more than one direct lie.
What, then, should you believe? How will you distinguish truth from fiction?
Naturally, I leave that to your discretion.
I think this tops my list of favorite first lines!
Posted by: SciFiChick | January 30, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Isn't it great? I was totally gone...
Posted by: Diana | January 30, 2008 at 08:44 AM