Great book opening lines

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 ten most famous opening lines from english books. Our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. The first sentence sets the stagehowever long or short the textand hints at the narrative vehicle. Thank you for sharing these fabulous opening lines. Great beginnings presents hundreds of these glorious openings, from the early nineteenth century to the present. 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. For some of us, writing fiction seems a lot like trying to pick up a hot stranger in a bar. The top 10 best opening lines of novels litreactor. Great beginnings presents hundreds of these glorious openings, from the early nineteenth century to the present, each one pulling us into a new and different universe.

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. From the pithy to the provocative, the classic book opener comes in many different forms. Though there are many advises from professional editors and famous writers themselves, it is still the most crucial part where your literary genius must shine. The 10 absolute best openings to young adult books hypable. Bbc culture what are the best first lines in fiction. If we blow our opening line in a bar, the stranger turns off, never to find out what scintillating people we are. Opening lines list of books with great first lines. But this is just the beginning, because a response doesnt mean a date far from it, unfortunately. After a couple of hours i got back to work and in a matter of minutes i had the opening line id struggled so hard to get. Aug 22, 2015 clever, intriguing first lines in picture that hook the reader. Maybe you cant judge a book by its cover, but what about its first lines. I love jane austen pride and prejudice is one of my favorite books. All the better if they do, but it is not necessary. A great opening line serves as the initial, horrifying bridge between our world and an authors dystopia the line most vital to a dystopias hold, growth, and impact on the readers mind.

The first sentence of any piece of writing is arguably the most important both in terms. They know that having a common interest is a great way to break the ice in a positive way. Apr 06, 2016 and then some opening lines are so creepy that you immediately shut the book and go home to lie in bed, sleepless, because youre so terrified and books are monstrous. Great opening lines to a speech get us curious and can set the direction for a powerful talk. So study storytelling, work at creating compelling characters, and become a ferocious selfeditor. Generally speaking, men still tend to send the first message most often, and the truth is that women get bombarded with so many variations of the same messages every day that a lot can get. Here are 12 opening lines in ya that immediately draw you in, from 12 great books that never let you go. 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.

Chapter 1 great expectations charles dickens lit2go etc. Probably the hardest part about writing a book is how to start a story in the first place. Hephzibah anderson explores the art of the perfect first sentence. Its often said that a book shouldnt be judged by its cover, but what about its opening lines. The 10 best first lines in fiction books the guardian.

We take a look at the killer opening lines that got us hooked into our favourite books. Nov 30, 2017 theres a reason that creators of dating apps are so keen for you to write lists of the things you like. Theres a reason that creators of dating apps are so keen for you to write lists of the things you like. Mar 31, 2017 most opening lines, be they for an individual chapter or the book as a whole, seek to rouse readers curiosity by planting questions in their minds. In homage to that fact, we asked former stylist contributors to share the opening lines that mean the. Some of my favorite opening lines in mysterycrime novels. Writing a great opening line is only the beginning. They can be long, descriptive, runon sentences that prepare you for everything youre about to see. This is a great book and greene is a fabulous author. From dickenss a tale of two cities to melvilles moby dick, often the opening sentence or two of a book will become the most frequently quoted and iconic passage from the entire novel. A small selection of great opening lines for emcees and speeches.

Get ready to have more responses from your favorite matches lining your inbox. My job is to talk to you, and your job is to listen. Here are the some of the best opening lines in dystopian literature. In those first few seconds you have the chance to gain your audiences attention, earn their trust, and persuade them you are someone worth listening to. Here are five great ways to grab readers in the opening lines. Oct 29, 2019 what are the best first lines in fiction. Great opening sentences from classic fantasy novels. And thus was born this humble post of opening lines. Are the following lines and pages and chapters worth your time. 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.

In an instant, the vista of an intriguing and wondrous world beckons. Apr 04, 2016 we take a look at the killer opening lines that got us hooked into our favourite books. Its the authors first invitation into a world of their own creation. Often, authors will employ a few spreads to set up the story, but the really clever openings can do this in just a couple of lines and even on one page. Dec 02, 2011 the sentence is made up of six words, elegant in their brevity and crushing in their implications.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in. One of the best opening lines is to start with a shared interest in a movie, book, or activity they mention. Aug 23, 2017 the top 10 best opening lines in fantasy fiction. A good cover may make us pick the book up and think about buying it. Let us know your favourite childrens book first lines from the gallery, or any we missed, in the comments section. A great novels opening paragraph creates a magical space that draws in its reader. Reading english books is an excellent way to help your learning and get a cultural kick at the same time. If you want to stand out and get noticed, youve got to be different. 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.

Dursley of number four, privet drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal. Oct 17, 2019 the 27 best opening lines in books 127 harry potter and the philosophers stone by jk rowling mr. The 27 best opening lines in books 127 harry potter and the philosophers stone by jk rowling mr. The best 100 opening lines from books is one of stylists most popular piece of content ever. You dont know about me without you have read a book by the name of the adventures of tom sawyer.

This list has the best n ovels with great first lines, bound to make. Bill manville i dont know how other men feel about their wives walking out on them, but i helped mine pack. After such an introduction, i can hardly wait to hear what im going to say. The 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the great. These opening lines just dont cut it anymore in the noisy world of online dating. Fireman guy montag lives his entire life taking casual pleasure in government oppressionuntil a series of events leads him to look at his life and society with growing horror.

And then some opening lines are so creepy that you immediately shut the book and go home to lie in bed, sleepless, because youre so terrified. Its a lot of fun and a great way to start a writing day rebecca on april 05, 2011 10. Most opening lines, be they for an individual chapter or the book as a whole, seek to rouse readers curiosity by planting questions in their minds. I grabbed several books from a stack and began reading the first lines of each. Dec 18, 2015 38 best first lines in novels ya edition 12182015 02. The very first sentence of a story can be extremely powerful. These books of fiction are well known for their opening lines. Youve just seen 11 tinder opening lines that actually work and learned how to write your own. The opening lines of a novel can prove crucial, and many authors spend an inordinate amount of time considering how their books will begin.

An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story, he said. From classics to modern fantasies, we chose ten of our favorite opening lines in the fantasy genre, from the evocative to the downright silly. Open any page and youll find a line thatll take your breath away. But a great line should always pull you out of your world and straight into the world of the book. This list has the best n ovels with great first lines, bound to make the best impression on readers. This is a wonderful book for any reader, a clever book to inspire an interest in reading, and the perfect gift for anyone who loves books, great lines, literary trivia, or just plain book collecting. The playfor which briony had designed the posters, programs and tickets, constructed the sales booth out of a folding screen tipped on its side, and lined the collection box in red crepe. The opening sentence and paragraph do not truly need to stand out. It all starts by opening to the first page and reading the first line.

Jun 14, 2019 from dickenss a tale of two cities to melvilles moby dick, often the opening sentence or two of a book will become the most frequently quoted and iconic passage from the entire novel. Some great lines are flowery and beautiful, while others are direct and to the point. Top 10 opening lines of mystery novels posted on july 20, 20 by khanh ho i actually had the opportunity to meet one of todays great writersa woman who wrote a book about the kind of exercise im about to engage in. Weve found 30 humourous, bizarre and mirthfilled opening lines of books. It is the hook that keeps you reading, your introduction to the world the author has created. Apr 16, 2015 some great lines are flowery and beautiful, while others are direct and to the point. Apr 28, 2012 our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. The marshes were just a long black horizontal line then, as i stopped to look after him. Good lines are what matter, not their location in the book. You just might produce a manuscript that keeps an editor or agent reading all the way through. Opening lines quotes quotes tagged as openinglines showing of 275 it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

Id like to introduce a man with a lot of charm, talent, and wit. Want great book recommendations in your inbox every week. In a 20 interview with joe fassler, horror fiction maestro stephen king reflected on the magnitude of a novels introductory sentence. Five of the best speech opening lines writing your content. Here are the 100 best opening lines from your favourite childrens books.