The best first sentences in fiction sell more books. The 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the great. Apr 28, 2012 the influence of this opening reverberates throughout the 20th century, and nowhere more so than in jd salingers the catcher in the rye. The best first sentences in fiction if you are interested in promoting your book and growing your community on a stable author platform you might also enjoy this linkedin article, where i have outline the foundation for your book selling platform.
The first lines of novels set the tone for the story to come. Some of the most famous and beloved characters and stories in history originated in childrens books that have been passed down over generations. In looking for the best opening lines, we took all of this into consideration. Stories that begin with a highly unusual voice often withhold other craft elements for a few sentencesa reasonable choice, as the reader may need to adjust to a new. As you teach writing and journaling in your own classroom, we pulled together some of the most memorable, fun, creative, and best opening lines books for children and teens have to offer. Sep 06, 2019 our selection of wise and witty opening words from 30 brilliant classic novels. This longish, singlesentence opener is 115 words long and punctuated with 16 commas, most of which are in the first half of the sentence, and all of which seem to work together like a piece of music. These days, its not just the style of opening sentences that is different, its the weight we give them as critics. And when the story becomes a classic, the first line can sometimes become as famous as the novel itself, as the quotes below demonstrate. Opening lines quotes quotes tagged as openinglines showing of 274 it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. It all starts by opening to the first page and reading the first line. And with so many books to read, the competition between them is wast.
In a 150,000word novel, perhaps no words are more important than the first ones. Best opening sentence what book, upon cracking open and reading the very first sentence, immediately pulled you in, shocked you, or generally made you fall in love, at first sight, lets say. Feast your eyes on more examples of opening sentences from famous books below. Reading english books is an excellent way to help your learning and get a cultural kick at the same time. Some of literatures most famous lines come to us within the first paragraphs of our favorite novels. Play sporcle s virtual live trivia to have fun, connect with people, and get your trivia on. First sentences of great books 20 books that have become. First sentences, of course, have different functionsto amuse, to frighten, to mystifyand the mechanics a writer uses to achieve this connection vary from genre to genre. Apr 03, 2019 literature quiz novel by opening lines.
The first line is the authors chance to make a first impression and to capture the imagination of the reader, and the very best books will keep the reader hooked from the first line to the very last line. In sentences with more than one clause, like orwells above, dotted lines connect them. The first sentence of any piece of writing is arguably the most important both in terms. Nine months ago i published a column on the top 10 opening lines of. In a single sentence, he manages to set up the novels ohsointriguing premise icymi, the book is about a hermaphrodite, as well as the time period and place. My favorite first line of, probably, my favorite author thomas wolfe, a destiny that leads the english to the dutch is strange enough. The opening line is that hook and the books on this list all have. Some innovative grammar nerds of the best kind made reedkellogg diagrams of. The first line to eugenidess pulitzer prizewinning novel is a textbook example of efficient writing. In homage to that fact, we asked former stylist contributors to share the opening lines that mean the. Its the authors first invitation into a world of their own creation. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in.
The first line is the authors chance to make a first impression and to capture the imagination of the reader, and the very best books will keep the. The project contains a series of astronomyinspired diagrams of the opening sentences of beloved books and short stories in the. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a. May 19, 2017 its probably the most famous first line in literary history. It should be mysterious and compelling, either poetic or shockingly abrupt. The top 10 best closing lines of novels litreactor. Esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. But with this short, mysterious declaration, melville shows that he knows how to make. It hooks the reader completely, and forces them to devour the rest of the story because. They range from hardboiled pulp fiction to classics to, well, the bible. Because these are the most terrifying opening lines from books, and the books that follow are often terrifying enough to live up to the. The ten most famous opening lines from english books.
The first line should tell the reader what to expect in terms of language, plot and character. Its important to never judge a book by its cover, but how do you evaluate it. Heres an array of famous first linesand seven strategies to craft a great story starter of your own. Apr 06, 2016 but can we judge a book by its first line. Oct 12, 2019 esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. The 23 most unforgettable last sentences in fiction. Having that in mind, weve rounded up the first lines of some of the worlds most famous books, and they stand as excellent examples of how a short sentence or. Its probably the most famous first line in literary history. If a virtual private party is more your thing, go here for details.
Though most of the books discussed were published many years ago, those who wish to be surprised be warned. It is matched by rose macaulays famous opening to the towers of. Play this hours famous first lines mixed quiz a new quiz every hour. This infographic features 34 compelling first lines from some of the most famous books of all time. Our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. Can you identify these 15 opening lines from 15 famous authors. After an online debate with brian moore over the opening sentence of a tale of two cities best of lines, worst of lines, which i would have rejected for my top 10 first sentences of novels. A good cover may make us pick the book up and think about buying it. A novel is made up of many thousands of sentences, but none as deeply important as the opening line.
They are the hooks onto which we latch, and the springboards that launch us further into the narrative. Looking back at all that has been written by accomplished authors throughout history, its extremely difficult to pick just ten books to mention, but to narrow the search weve opted for books with, in our opinion, the most famous opening lines. May 15, 2018 the opening sentence of a book can determine a lot of things including whether or not you decide to keep going with said book. The incredible first sentences of 25 famous books by jason iannone on 111420 in a 150,000word novel, perhaps no words are more important than the first ones. The incredible first sentences of 25 famous books by jason iannone on 111420.
If you really want to hear about it, the first thing youll probably want to know is where i was born, and what. Put the first sentence in the why you added this book field, please. Having that in mind, weve rounded up the first lines of some of the worlds most famous books, and they stand as excellent examples of how a short sentence or two can set the tone for an entire story and define its legacy for decades to come. Bbc culture what are the best first lines in fiction. Novels at the time were not exactly into succinct sentences see.
I was thinking about the opening line from dickens tale of two cities, yesterday, one of the authors great books, and probably one of his greatest sentences, period. Opening sentences of famous novels mazzella, leon on. Every year, the announcement of bulwerlytton prize is a gift from bad writing heaven. Prepare to read the most fascinating article of your life. There are thousands of classic opening lines in fiction a tale of two cities by charles dickens and invisible man by ralph ellison come to mindbut often the most wellknown are not always the best. Our selection of wise and witty opening words from 30 brilliant classic novels. As with pubs and shoes, you know youre reading a great book from the second youre inside it. The top 10 best opening lines of novels litreactor. The influence of this opening reverberates throughout the 20th century, and nowhere more so than in jd salingers the catcher in the rye.
Rate 5 stars rate 4 stars rate 3 stars rate 2 stars rate 1 star. Revisit the most memorable and gripping opening sentences of 100 essential books for youngsters from preschool to highschool in the gallery below. The authors know that books dont just need a great story, there also needs to be something that draws in the reader. Here are some opening lines from famous books, courtesy of the last ones in. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
If you really want to hear about it, the first thing. The most famous opening lines in literature youtube. In the right hands, a novels beginning alone can make you feel like youve just fallen into a fastflowing river, snatched away from reality and hurtled downhill. Aug 14, 2015 15 books with epic first sentences thatll pull you in from the very first moment. Dec 02, 2011 a novel is made up of many thousands of sentences, but none as deeply important as the opening line. Inspired by novelist and playwright edward george bulwerlyttons famous it was a dark and stormy night opener, the contest asks writers to submit an opening sentence for the worst of all possible novels although fifty shades of grey has. The opening sentence of a book can determine a lot of things including whether or not you decide to keep going with said book. An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. The 10 best first lines in fiction books the guardian. First sentences, of course, have different functionsto amuse, to frighten, to mystifyand the mechanics a writer uses to achieve this. Aug 29, 2012 as with pubs and shoes, you know youre reading a great book from the second youre inside it.
Let this collection of the opening lines from childrens books serve as a nostalgic walk down memory lane and as inspiration for books you may want to share with your children too. At its best, a novels opening line raises questions, piques interest, and creates intrigue. First thoughts that last in our memory from jane austen, hunter s. Theres a reason these opening sentences make up some of the most quotable lines in literaturereaders simply cant get them out of their. Join a live hosted trivia game for your favorite pub trivia experience done virtually.
We take a look at the killer opening lines that got us hooked into our favourite books. These books of fiction are well known for their opening lines. Apr 04, 2016 we take a look at the killer opening lines that got us hooked into our favourite books. Readers digest editors opening linesthe first sentence or maybe the first paragraph of a bookhave a lot of work to do. Except, probably, the closing linebut thats another post. Opening lines list of books with great first lines. Nov 08, 2016 personal choices from the telegraphs 100 best opening lines in fiction. The opening lines from 44 timeless childrens books. The very first sentence of a story can be extremely powerful.