First sentences, of course, have different functionsto amuse, to frighten, to mystifyand the mechanics a writer uses to achieve this. The 23 most unforgettable last sentences in fiction. A look at some of the best opening lines to novels in the history of literature. Oct 29, 2019 some of the most celebrated first lines owe their might largely to what follows. Bbc culture what are the best first lines in fiction. This weeks quiz involves more opening lines to famous literature. As with pubs and shoes, you know youre reading a great book from the second youre. Because these are the most terrifying opening lines from books, and the books that follow. The 10 best first lines in fiction books the guardian. So, how well do you know the actual opening lines from some of literatures greatest novels.
Here are the some of the best opening lines in dystopian literature. Apr 06, 2016 but can we judge a book by its first line. Revisit the most memorable and gripping opening sentences of 100 essential books for youngsters from preschool to highschool in the gallery below. Parodied, spoofed, and misremembered, austens celebrated zinger remains the archetypal first line for an archetypal tale.
In honor of what wouldve been gabriel garcia marquez s 89th birthday sunday, see 21 of the most memorable opening lines from books, ahead. This is a list of the greatest novels with the best introductory text, including world literature with an emphasis on english literature, from throughout history, with the most memorable and significant beginnings. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a. Culture books news the 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the great gatsby. Weve already told you how movies should end, so in a mementostyle narrative gimmick, were going back and telling you how they should begin. Can you identify these 15 opening lines from 15 famous authors. Dec 05, 2017 how well do you know your authors and their most wellknown books. How well do you know your authors and their most wellknown books. Take our literature quiz the opening line is the hook that draws you in and some authors have created unforgettable ones. What are the best opening lines in all of english verse.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it. The waystone inn lay in silence, and it was a silence of three parts. Rate 5 stars rate 4 stars rate 3 stars rate 2 stars rate 1 star. In homage to that fact, we asked former stylist contributors to. Well give you the first line of a novel, and you have to choose the book it comes from. Heres our pick of some of the greatest first lines in literature. Famous opening lines in literature quiz fun facts and trivia. 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. Scroll through each poignant piece of literary genius and most known book quotes below in our list.
The funniest lines in literature everything after z by. 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. It is assurance that the writer, your guide in the storys world, knows. There are many contenders here, so whittling them down to a shortlist of the ten greatest and most famous opening lines of poetry didnt exactly prove an easy task. There are thousands of classic opening lines in fictiona 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. They are the lines we scribble in our journals, slur to strangers when were tipsy at the bar, recite to ourselves when were sleepy on our long commutes home, quote in our poems and wedding vows, tattoo onto our bodies to prove our love of literature, and share with those closest to us in the middle of the night while we bare our souls. Douglas adams wrote this line in 1980, and its the opening of his novel the restaurant at the far end of the universe. Aug 29, 2012 literatures greatest opening paragraphs by marc chacksfield.
Apr 22, 2014 aspiring writers often look to greats in the field of literature to learn how they can reach the same heights. Readers digest editors opening linesthe first sentence or maybe the first paragraph of a bookhave a lot of work to do. May 10, 2014 the most famous opening lines in literature. Oct 12, 2019 esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. This infographic features first lines from some of the most famous books of all time. Apr 04, 2016 we take a look at the killer opening lines that got us hooked into our favourite books. Famous novels with the catchiest first lines 1 a tale of two cities charles dickens it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Some of the most famous and beloved characters and stories in history originated in childrens books that have been passed down over generations. The very first sentence of a story can be extremely powerful.
The first line should tell the reader what to expect in terms of language, plot and character. First lines literature coffee mug the greatest opening lines of literature, from anna karenina to slaughterhouse five comes in a fun gift box. First lines literature coffee mug the greatest opening lines of literature, from anna karenina to slaughterhouse five comes in a fun gift box by the unemployed philosophers guild. The most famous opening lines in literature youtube. Test your knowledge on this literature quiz to see how you do and compare your score to others. Here are 50 of the most saddest lines from literature that are heartbreaking and heartwarming, all at the same time. Some of the most celebrated first lines owe their might largely to what follows. The first lines of novels set the tone for the story to come. Aug 22, 2015 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.
Dec 02, 2011 first and foremost, get their attention. Below, we quote the opening lines, but if you click. The opening line is that hook and the books on this list all have intriguing, interesting, and unique opening sentences. You should also read a guide to britains most famous writers through history 9 famous opening lines of novels and why we love them and many writers simply love giving interviews where they throw. Opening lines of novels, famous first lines of novels, best opening lines. The opening line of any book should sayin the words of stephen kinglisten. The first lines of a story set the mood and draw readers in. Aspiring writers often look to greats in the field of literature to learn how they can reach the same heights.
They are the hooks onto which we latch, and the springboards that launch us further into the narrative. Oct 17, 2019 culture books news the 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the great gatsby. Weve selected ten opening lines that we think are both memorable and brilliant. Our selection of wise and witty opening words from 30 brilliant classic novels. Opening lines list of books with great first lines.
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. First thoughts that last in our memory from jane austen, hunter s. The 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the great gatsby. Pride and prejudice 18it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. And were cheating, toowe didnt stick to just one line per novel. Sep 06, 2019 our selection of wise and witty opening words from 30 brilliant classic novels. Skip to content colin falconer books you cant put down. So, as an homage to those who do it well, we compiled a list of our favorite humorous quotes from literature.
Put your skills to the test, and take this quiz on memorable literary sentences. We asked members of the buzzfeed community to tell us about their favorite creepy lines from literature. Literature has created some of the most evil characters weve ever known, showing us just how dark and twisted the mind can go. The 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the great. Here weve compiled a list of the 15 best opening lines in literature. A first line is your introduction to a story you are committing to spend time on. 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. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. These are the lines from literature that become iconic.
Weiss, at forty, knew that her life had been ruined by literature. Theres a reason these opening sentences make up some of the most quotable lines in literaturereaders simply cant get them out of their. Its important to never judge a book by its cover, but how do you evaluate it. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Jan 10, 2018 with one of the most famous opening lines in literature, melville instantly grabs readers attention with this simple command. Media books twenty classic closing lines from famous literature.
Can you name the novels with the best opening lines. And with so many books to read, the competition between them is wast. Opening lines of novels, famous first lines of novels, best. The 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the. Apr 28, 2012 our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. We take a look at the killer opening lines that got us hooked into our favourite books. May 15, 2018 they are the lines we scribble in our journals, slur to strangers when were tipsy at the bar, recite to ourselves when were sleepy on our long commutes home, quote in our poems and wedding vows, tattoo onto our bodies to prove our love of literature, and share with those closest to us in the middle of the night while we bare our souls. A books final lines can make or break the experience. Various authors famous opening lines in literature genius. Except, probably, the closing linebut thats another post. In celebration of great literature, cunning villains, and writers with the incredible talent to create the stories that make our hearts beat faster, here are 19 of the most chilling lines in.
What could possibly be more wellknown in the literary world than the opening lines. And when the story becomes a classic, the first line can sometimes become as famous as the novel itself, as the quotes below demonstrate. Esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. Some of literatures most famous lines come to us within the first paragraphs of our favorite novels. For these 15 popular tvmovie characters with the same first name, who do.
The ten most famous opening lines from english books. A novel is made up of many thousands of sentences, but none as deeply important as the opening line. Most memorable opening lines of classic literature. This command garners interest because the narrator does not. In homage to that fact, we asked former stylist contributors to share the opening lines that mean the. All you need to do is tell us what the line is from. The opening lines from 44 timeless childrens books. It all starts by opening to the first page and reading the first line. Be sure to let us know which mustread books have you read. Twenty classic closing lines from famous literature. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune. Reading english books is an excellent way to help your learning and get a cultural kick at the same time. Because these are the most terrifying opening lines from books, and the books that follow are often terrifying enough to live up to the.
Okay, to be fair, we should say that these are 15 of the best opening lines in literature. Sep 08, 2015 16 of the most iconic quotes from literature, to remind you of all the great books you should go reread immediately. This being the beginning of our slideshow, lets begin at the beginning. A powerful opening line has the power to impact our lives. From elizabethan plays to tragic war poets, english literature is blessed with some incredibly moving and cleverly constructed verse.
The best 100 opening lines from books is one of stylists most popular piece of content ever. 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. Jun 14, 2019 the opening line is that hook and the books on this list all have intriguing, interesting, and unique opening sentences. Most memorable opening lines of classic literature enotes. The top 10 best opening lines of novels litreactor. This infographic features 34 compelling first lines from some of the most famous books 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.