Bbc culture what are the best first lines in fiction. Our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. 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. They stand alone as sentences but also make you want to read on to discover what else is behind them. You may be an avid reader, but can you remember those opening lines. 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. We take a look at the killer opening lines that got us hooked into our favourite books. The 10 best first lines in fiction books the guardian. The opening line of a good bio has to be a showstopper. Well give you the first line of a novel, and you have to choose the book it comes from.
That book was made by a mr mark twain, and he told the truth, mainly. The ten most famous opening lines from english books. Scroll through each poignant piece of literary genius and most known book quotes below in our list. 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. The opening sentence and paragraph do not truly need to stand out. This infographic features 34 compelling first lines from some of the most famous books of all time. 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. But a great line should always pull you out of your world and straight into the world of the book. Dec 02, 2011 the sentence is made up of six words, elegant in their brevity and crushing in their implications. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with bring me. Collected below, the opening lines they picked range widely in tone and executionbut in each, you can almost feel the readers mind beginning to listen, hear the inward swing of some inviting.
The first line should tell the reader what to expect in terms of language, plot and character. This infographic features first lines from some of the most famous books of all time. Since ive already blown my chance to make a good first impression i offer up fifteen of the greatest opening lines in literature. Dec 18, 2015 38 best first lines in novels ya edition 12182015 02. They can be long, descriptive, runon sentences that prepare you for everything youre about to see. They have to set the scene, perhaps introduce a character, and more than anything, get us to. 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. Let us know your favourite childrens book first lines from the gallery, or any we missed, in the comments section. Some of the most famous and beloved characters and stories in history originated in childrens books that have been passed down over generations. We end this selection of memorable opening lines on a philosophical note with one of the most famous opening lines of all time. 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.
The top 10 best opening lines of novels litreactor. Opening lines list of books with great first lines. From the pithy to the provocative, the classic book opener comes in many different forms. Opening linesthe first sentence or maybe the first paragraph of a bookhave a lot of work to do. Hephzibah anderson explores the art of the perfect first sentence. And when the story becomes a classic, the first line can sometimes become as famous as the novel itself, as the quotes below demonstrate.
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. This opening is very brief, and uses the characters name to humorous affect. 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 first lines of novels set the tone for the story to come. Esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. Its the authors first invitation into a world of their own creation. This pearl of wisdom sets the reader up for a novel that revolves around retrospection and nostalgia, the loss of innocence and the recollection of painful memories. The 23 most unforgettable last sentences in fiction a book s final lines can make or break the experience. The opening lines of a novel can prove crucial, and many authors spend an inordinate amount of time considering how their books will begin. Apr 04, 2016 we take a look at the killer opening lines that got us hooked into our favourite books. The 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the. In homage to that fact, we asked former stylist contributors to share the opening lines that mean the.
Dursley of number four, privet drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal. Weve already told you how movies should end, so in a mementostyle narrative gimmick, were going back and telling you how they should begin. Ill give you the first line of a famous book and all you have to do is tell. Oct 17, 2019 the 27 best opening lines in books 127 harry potter and the philosophers stone by jk rowling mr. Opening lines can introduce the theme this is a tricky use of opening lines and requires some skill, but in a very serious book, its not uncommon. But do you think that ever stopped me from submitting a terrible essay with no clear thesis, a middling conclusion, and only two minutes to go before the deadline. 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.
Our editing and proofreading services are active and fully functioning despite the current global pandemic. An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story, he said. Test your knowledge here with every kind of book from classic childrens books, to modern bestsellers and everything in between. Opening lines from books trivia quiz famous first 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. Some of my favorite opening lines in mysterycrime novels. If a bookstore browser flips to the first page and reads the opening line, he or she should want to immediately sit down in the middle of the aisle and keep reading. It should have stopped me, but it didnt even slow me down. The first lines of a story set the mood and draw readers in. The 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the great. The opening lines from 44 timeless childrens books.
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. Jun 14, 2019 the opening lines of a novel can prove crucial, and many authors spend an inordinate amount of time considering how their books will begin. Rate 5 stars rate 4 stars rate 3 stars rate 2 stars rate 1 star. Here are 25 of the greatest book quotes of all time, and although every book has at least a line or two worth remembering, these ones top the rest. The best 100 opening lines from books is one of stylists most popular piece of content ever. Nov 05, 2015 here are 25 of the greatest book quotes of all time, and although every book has at least a line or two worth remembering, these ones top the rest. Here are the 100 best opening lines from your favourite childrens books. It also speaks directly to the reader, asking the reader to judge if wordy birdy is really so wordy.
Put your skills to the test, and take this quiz on memorable literary sentences. Some last lines have the power to disrupt the course of an entire story, shaking up our expectations. Sep 06, 2019 30 great opening lines in literature save from left. Apr 30, 2020 no one has ever written anything good on the first go. Test your knowledge by filling in the blanks and find out how much of a. 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. 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. It all starts by opening to the first page and reading the first line. Though there are many advises from professional editors and famous writers themselves, it is still the most crucial part where your. The first sentence sets the stagehowever long or short the textand hints at the narrative vehicle. 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. Both new and old, fiction and nonfictionthese books are packed with the best book quotes that provide thoughtprovoking bits of wisdom, wit, and universal truths.
This is an excerpt from introverts at work, the book about sales and marketing specifically for quietwith. In a few words a songwriter needs to set up a story and a mood that will keep the listener engaged, especially in todays attentiondeficit world. This list has the best n ovels with great first lines, bound to make. Apr 28, 2012 our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. The very first sentence of a story can be extremely powerful. The 23 most unforgettable last sentences in fiction. The opening lines of a book are where the reader gets hooked.
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. Oct 12, 2019 esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. Ill give you the first line of a famous book and all you have to do is tell me which book it is from. Its important to never judge a book by its cover, but how do you evaluate it.
I grabbed several books from a stack and began reading the first lines of each. In a 20 interview with joe fassler, horror fiction maestro stephen king reflected on the magnitude of a novels introductory sentence. And thus was born this humble post of opening lines. A good cover may make us pick the book up and think about buying it. 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. 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. Apr 22, 2014 we end this selection of memorable opening lines on a philosophical note with one of the most famous opening lines of all time. Some great lines are flowery and beautiful, while others are direct and to the point. Here are 12 opening lines in ya that immediately draw you in, from 12 great books that never let you go. The 27 best opening lines in books 127 harry potter and the philosophers stone by jk rowling mr. Jun, 2011 50 best opening lines in movies beginning with a bang by holly pyne. Apr 23, 2015 how well do you know famous books opening lines. Welcome to my quiz about the opening lines of some of the most famous novels in the world. A books final sentence is the ribbon on a packaged plot, tied neatly and prettily before an author hands her story over to her readers imaginations for good.
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