What's your favorite closing line?

Some of you may have seen the recent article in the UK's Stylist magazine, listing the Best 100 Closing Lines from Books. (Thanks to Diane Brooke for the link! Hint: Diana Gabaldon made the list.)

Inspired by that list, I thought I'd ask: What is your favorite closing line from the OUTLANDER books?

"And the world was all around us, new with possibility." (OUTLANDER)

"He meant to die on Culloden Field," Roger whispered. "But he didn't." (DRAGONFLY IN AMBER)

"And this is Claire, my wife." (VOYAGER)

"Go down," she said, "and tell them the MacKenzies are here." (DRUMS OF AUTUMN)

"When the day shall come, that we do part," he said softly, and turned to look at me, "if my last words are not 'I love you'--ye'll ken it was because I didna have time." (THE FIERY CROSS)

"After all, they're all dead, aren't they?" (A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES)

"And sleep at thy feet," Ian whispered, and gathered her in with his one good arm, both of them blazing bright as day." (AN ECHO IN THE BONE)

(All quotes copyright (c) Diana Gabaldon.)

My sentimental favorite is the one from FIERY CROSS, of course, but I like the ending lines of OUTLANDER and DRUMS almost as much. What about the rest of you?

16 comments

Jo H said...

I like the DOA end line, because it promised another book and a wonderful surprise...he wasn't dead! However, my favorite is from the Fiery Cross....I think its beautiful, and think it's wonderful that Diana got it from her husband. What a lovely man he must be!

Cari said...

Wow, that's a tough one - they all leave me with goosebumps! I just finished rereading Echo, so that line is very fresh in my mind, but it was the last line from Drums of Autumn that actually made me cheer when I read it. :-)

jayne m. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jayne m. said...

Karen: so wonderful of you to post that list. I have to tell I felt tears welling up. My favorite right now is between Dragonfly and Voyager, Dragonfly because of the possibilities to come, and Voyager because I imagine the joy Jamie felt in being able to say those words.

Jo H said...

Ugh...I meant dIa not dOa, dammit! lol...bad keyboard.

Shannon said...

The Fiery Cross is my absolute favorite. And I too love that she got it from her own husband...just beautiful!

Karen said...

The one from THE FIERY CROSS is my very favorite.

Nenya said...

I go for Fiery Cross.

Lisa W. said...

I'd have to go with Fiery Cross as well. Gives me shivers whenever I read it.

Unknown said...

I'v never seen them all lined up before. I still have to go with Fiery Cross. That is one of the most beautiful lines ever. Gets me in the heart all the time.

MichelleKCanada

Sandra said...

Fiery Cross is my choice...best last line to a book EVER!!

Unknown said...

Fiery Cross. My favorite Jamie quote!

Hildy said...

Wow! Aren't they all just great?! My favourite though, is the last line of The Fiery Cross.

Veronica said...

Definitively, The Fiery Cross... One of the most beautiful, emotive and wonderful phrases that I have read. In second place, Dragonfly in amber, for everything what it means.

cma_3kds said...

"When the day shall come, that we do part," he said softly, and turned to look at me, "if my last words are not 'I love you'--ye'll ken it was because I didna have time." (THE FIERY CROSS) Has to be my favorite quote...

Anonymous said...

"I love to see the lines upon your face because it means ye live"

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