What are some notable examples of the first sentences in novels?

One example could be 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'.

A great first sentence could be 'The little girl skipped down the lane, her pigtails bouncing, unaware of the danger lurking around the corner.' Here, we get a vivid image of the character, her innocence, and a hint of impending trouble. Also, 'The door creaked open, and a cold wind swept in, carrying with it a sense of dread.' This sets a spooky mood right from the start.

The opening of 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, 'Call me Ishmael.' is quite remarkable. It's a very direct and somewhat mysterious start. By simply stating his name (or the name he wants to be called), Ishmael invites the reader into his world. It makes the reader curious about who this Ishmael is and what his story will be about.

One example could be a first sentence that is overly complex and filled with jargon that makes it difficult for the average reader to understand right away. For instance, a sentence like 'The ineffable esotericism of the preternatural realm was about to be divulged in a most perfunctory manner.' It's just too much to take in at the start and might put off readers.

The opening of 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, 'Call me Ishmael.' is very well - known. It's a simple yet powerful start. It directly introduces the narrator, making the reader curious about who Ishmael is and what his story will be. It's like an invitation to follow Ishmael on his journey, which in this case, is the fateful voyage in pursuit of the great white whale.

One example is 'Call Me Ishmael' from 'Moby - Dick'. This first sentence is so iconic and immediately draws the reader in, setting a mood of mystery and adventure related to the sea. It makes you curious about who Ishmael is and what his story will be.

In 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, the first sentence goes 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' This opening is so powerful as it creates a sense of contrast and duality right from the start. It hints at the complex and tumultuous events that will unfold during the French Revolution, which is the backdrop of the story.

The first sentence of 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' is really great. This sentence captures the duality and complexity of the era, drawing readers in with its paradoxical nature and making them curious about the two cities and the events that will unfold.

One of the best first sentences is from 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen: 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' This sentence immediately sets the tone for a story that will deal with social expectations, marriage, and class in 19th - century England.

In 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, the first sentence is 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' This powerful opening gives a sense of contrast and the duality of the era the story is set in, and it also creates a sense of mystery and anticipation as to what exactly those 'times' are all about.