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Susan Bordo's avatar

Thank you, thank you!! I was away from here for a little bit, and when I came back I saw my subscriptions had increased unusually. Now I know why!

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David Long's avatar

Sometimes an opening sentence contains the entire story:

"They were young, educated, and both virgins on this, their wedding night, and they lived in a time when a conversation about sexual difficulties was plainly impossible."

[Ian McEwan, On Chesil Beach]

Two others I like--the first for achieving the seemingly impossible--establishing a tone that makes such a story tolerable to read; and the other a great example of less is more:

"On the morning the last Lisbon daughter took her turn at suicide—it was Mary this time, and sleeping pills, like Therese—-the two paramedics arrived at the house knowing exactly where the knife drawer was, and the gas oven, and the beam in the basement from which it was possible to tie a rope. '

[Jeffrey Eugenides, The Virgin Suicides]

In the dry places, men begin to dream.

[Wright Morris, Works of Love]

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