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20 famous closing lines in books

So, you've tried guessing the opening lines of famous novels, how about the final words?

21 May 2025 10:52

Thuy On

The words 'The End' is chalked onto a stone. Smaller stones are around it.

Writing and Publishing

Photo: Available psychologists, Unsplash.

A few weeks ago, ArtsHub presented 20 famous opening lines in books, so it makes sense to offer the corollary: 20 famous closing lines! Final words can have a lasting impression on readers but some are more prosaic than poetic. Once again, it’s a mix of classic and modern titles, so let’s see how much of a bookworm you really are…

1. ‘Yet what is any ocean but a multitude of drops?’

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Thuy On

Thuy On is the former Reviews and Literary Editor of ArtsHub and an arts journalist, critic and poet who’s written for a range of publications including The Guardian, The Saturday Paper, Sydney Review of Books, The Australian, The Age/SMH and Australian Book Review. She was the Books Editor of The Big Issue for 8 years and a former Melbourne theatre critic correspondent for The Australian. She has three collections of poetry published by the University of Western Australian Press (UWAP): Turbulence (2020), Decadence (2022) and Essence (2025). Threads: @thuy_on123 Instagram: poemsbythuy