Most famous book first lines

Here are 34 interesting first lines from popular books that keep readers engaged. Or feel free to share your favorite first lines of novels from any book, whether famous or not. Welcome to my quiz about the opening lines of some of the most famous novels in the world. What it begins with, i know finally, is the kernel of meanness in peoples hearts. They stand alone as sentences but also make you want to read on to discover what else is behind them. A beautiful, or at least effective, final sentence anchors a story in a.

Hephzibah anderson explores the art of the perfect first sentence. Jun 20, 2014 the most passionate lines are often found between the pages of great books. An excellent contemporary example is from jane hamiltons the book of ruth. Oct 02, 2014 most memorable quotes from famous classic novels. Others leave us hanging, and still others provide a cathartic sense of closure. This list has the best n ovels with great first lines, bound to make the best impression on readers. It can leave you with an impression of the book which lasts throughout and it can plant a seed that lasts with you long after youve finished.

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. The open lines reflect the dynamic, comic book fun of the rest of the movie and lampshade the origin story it is about to tell. And so here are the 15 best opening lines in movie history. Oct 12, 2019 the first lines of novels set the tone for the story to come. Dont judge a book by its cover instead, try and wait for the last line following our massively popular and lovingly selected list of the 100 best opening lines from books, its now time. Some of the greatest novelists set the stage by having their. 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. The 23 most unforgettable last sentences in fiction a books final lines can make or break the experience. If eat, pray, love had been my first book id have been overwhelmed by its success premium. The title to hemingways third book, a farewell to arms, is taken from the poem by george peele, a 16 th century poet and dramatist.

This infographic features first lines from some of the most famous books of all time. It is widely considered as one of the greatest works in english literature and along with mark twains adventures of huckleberry finn, it is the foremost contender for the title of the great american novel. The first lines of a story set the mood and draw readers in. Because these are the most terrifying opening lines from books, and the books that follow are often terrifying enough to. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Opening linesthe first sentence or maybe the first paragraph of. Noir novels are famous for their slow burn, but this one immediately. These are the most iconic movies set in every state. The best book quotes are like that they stay with you long after youve finished the book, and they often pop bustle. But its the first lines are crucial in helping us decide whether we are going to keep reading or not. Ulysses 1922stately, plump buck mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed. Our highly subjective list includes worst firsts from famous and infamous writers. Jane austens pride and prejudice an opener almost as famous as. The 15 best first lines in movie history screenrant.

From the pithy to the provocative, the classic book opener comes in many different forms. Apr 23, 2015 how well do you know famous books opening lines. In honor of what wouldve been gabriel garcia marquezs 89th birthday sunday, see 21 of the most memorable opening lines from books, ahead. Jan 23, 20 if youve written a book, short story or a poem, i invite you to use the comment section to share your first line.

My favorite first line of, probably, my favorite author thomas wolfe, a destiny that leads the english to the dutch is strange enough. Gunga din is one of kiplings most famous poems and it inspired a 1939 hollywood film with the same title. It is matched by rose macaulays famous opening to the towers of. Sep 06, 2019 30 great opening lines in literature save from left.

These are some of our favorites, the best first lines of books, with. Heres an array of famous first linesand seven strategies to craft a great story starter of your own. This infographic features 34 compelling first lines from some of the most famous books of all time. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a. Some of the most celebrated first lines owe their might largely to what follows.

And when the story becomes a classic, the first line can sometimes become as famous as the novel itself, as the quotes below demonstrate. We asked members of the buzzfeed community to tell us about their favorite lines from literature. From elizabethan plays to tragic war poets, english literature is blessed with some incredibly moving and cleverly constructed verse. Most really pretty girls have pretty ugly feet, and so does mindy metalman, lenore notices, all of a sudden. Famous first lines of novels firstperson introductions. Probably one of the most famous and definitely one of the longest.

Apr 06, 2016 but can we judge a book by its first line. This list has the best n ovels with great first lines. Some novelists start by describing their protagonists in. In homage to that fact, we asked former stylist contributors to. They are the hooks onto which we latch, and the springboards that launch us further into the narrative. 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. Bbc culture what are the best first lines in fiction. These books of fiction are well known for their opening lines. First published in 1925, the great gatsby is a novel by american author f. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with bring me. 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.

Let us know your favourite childrens book first lines from the gallery, or any we missed, in the comments section. A beautiful, or at least effective, final sentence anchors a story in a readers mind long after the book is finished. This is the classic thirdperson opening to the 20th. Many lines from the book are still analyzed by enthusiasts and several. Some of literatures most famous lines come to us within the first paragraphs of our favorite novels. May 29, 2016 many lines from the book are still analyzed by enthusiasts and several have become legendary. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. Our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce robert mccrum sat 28 apr 2012 19.

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. A great first line will pull you in, introduce you to the narrator, and set the tone for the entire book. Can you identify these 15 opening lines from 15 famous authors. Apr 28, 2012 ulysses 1922stately, plump buck mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed. And with so many books to read, the competition between them is wast. Some of the most famous and beloved characters and stories in history originated in childrens books that have been passed down over generations. Scroll through each poignant piece of literary genius and most known book quotes below in our list. Sep 16, 2016 people say dont judge a book by its cover but its hard for us not to judge the first few words of a film. Dec 18, 2015 38 best first lines in novels ya edition 12182015 02. That book was made by a mr mark twain, and he told the truth, mainly. You may be an avid reader, but can you remember those opening lines. The 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the great gatsby.

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. May 15, 2018 a good opener embeds itself in your memory. From the pithy to the provocative, the classic book opener comes in many. Henrys fictional experiences in this story are similar to those that hemingway himself. Our editing and proofreading services are active and fully functioning despite current covid19 concerns. Every year, the announcement of bulwerlytton prize is a gift from bad writing heaven. Since ive already blown my chance to make a good first impression i offer up fifteen of the greatest opening lines in literature. The opening lines in a book is the authors best chance to hook the reader. Depending on what youre reading, a great first line can be funny or meaningful or sad or somehow all of the above. The 10 best first lines in fiction books the guardian. 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. In honor of what wouldve been gabriel garcia marquezs 89th birthday sunday, see 21 of the most memorable opening lines from books. A farewell to arms follows the firstperson account of an american lieutenant in the ambulance corps of the italian army, during the first world war.

The opening lines from 44 timeless childrens books. 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. A look at five of ernest hemingways most memorable novels. 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. The best 100 opening lines from books is one of stylists most popular piece of content ever. Ill give you the first line of a famous book and all you have to do is tell me which book it is from. Our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from.

Be sure to let us know which mustread books have you read. The opening lines of a book are where the reader gets hooked. Test your knowledge by filling in the blanks and find out how much of a. Opening linesthe first sentence or maybe the first paragraph of a bookhave a lot of work to do. The beginning of a book is crucial in getting the reader hooked. Check your shelf, the librarians onestop shop for news, book lists, and more. Because these are the most terrifying opening lines from books, and the books that follow are often terrifying enough to live up to the. I think youll find that most of them, right away, establish the sense of voice we talked about.

Opening lines list of books with great first lines. The 23 most unforgettable last sentences in fiction. These lines will help you remember the reasons we are so obsessed with true love. Some last lines have the power to disrupt the course of an entire story, shaking up our expectations. In the final three lines of the poem, the soldier regrets the abuse he dealt to din and admits that din is the better man of the two. For my own part, ive read plenty of good books whose first lines i dont remember. Here are 10 opening doozies, lines that make it difficult to continue reading. As you teach writing and journaling in your own classroom, we pulled together some of the most memorable, fun, creative, and best opening. Here are the 10 most famous quotations from the great gatsby with their explanation. Here are the 100 best opening lines from your favourite childrens books. If youve written a book, short story or a poem, i invite you to use the comment section to share your first 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 already been written. The ten most famous opening lines from english books. The first lines of novels set the tone for the story to come. 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. These are the best first lines maybe 2 of books which do exactly what a first line must do.