The Art of the Best Last Line in a Novel

Writing a novel can be a complex and multifaceted task, but the journey often ends with what makes a lasting impression on readers: the last line. A powerful and impactful final line can leave a reader pondering long after they’ve turned the last page. This article explores the significance of the last line in great novels and delves into several notable examples that have left an indelible mark on literature.

svc2 - Karen Rivers:

No One’s Will See This. No One Will Understand How You Are the Everything

"No one’s will see this. No one will understand how you are the light the lightning the rain the stars how you are love and umbrellas and conundrums. And now you are the everything all of you not just you and Josh Harris anymore but everyone. There is no more sound and nothing hurts and no one is screaming this part made me cry and you are the trees and you are the golden leaves and you are the birds and the peaches and the music and the red truck with the keys tucked up in the visor and the coyotes howl and the dog barking at the siren in the night and the white horse tossing his mane and galloping across a field of wildflowers somewhere in a state you’ve never known when you’ll never be that you carry in your heart in a small suitcase: what could have been what isn’t what wasn’t and what will never be."

This excerpt from Karen Rivers' work is a prime example of a poetic and evocative last line. The Last Line serves not only to encapsulate the essence of the character's journey but also to leave the reader with a profound sense of emotion and reflection. It's the kind of line that resonates long after the story ends.

svc3 - tell the wolves Im home:

"But the thing is even with all the restoration all the erasing I could still read that painting. I’m the only one who knows about the wolf and I’m the only one who knows that if the light hits the canvas just right if it’s deep orange end-of-the-day light and it comes through the window from the side at just the right angle and if you know what you’re looking for if you know exactly the right place to look you can still see the five black buttons. Not the way they were not clumsy and thick but more like shadows. Like small eclipsed moons floating over my heart."

The last line from "Tell the Wolves I'm Home" by Wendy Mass delivers a deeply personal and emotional resonance. It speaks to the enduring impact of a memory and how certain details of the past can persist in the present. The line is a testament to the power of art and its ability to evoke powerful emotions in the reader.

svc4 - The Lord of the Rings:

“Well I’m back.” he said.

This concise yet powerful final line from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien is a masterclass in storytelling. It encapsulates the return of Sam and the culmination of a long journey. The simplicity of the line belies its profound impact, as it circles back to the themes of homecoming and the journey's resolution. It effectively ties up the narrative threads while characterizing Sam's down-to-earth nature.

svc5 - Arthur C. Clarke:

“Overhead without any fuss the stars were going out.”

Arthur C. Clarke's final line from "The Nine Billion Names of God" is a poignant and evocative one. The line is so powerful that it requires no explanation; the stars going out paint a haunting and beautiful final image. It draws the reader into a reflective state, leaving them to ponder the meaning of the title and the story's themes. The line is a perfect encapsulation of the story's eerie and profound message.

The significance of a powerful last line in a novel can't be overstated. It leaves a reader with a lasting impression, reinforcing the themes and emotions explored throughout the story. Whether it's a poetic closure, a profound reflection, or a sense of resolution, the best last lines are those that resonate with the reader long after the book closes.