What are some famous opening sentences in novels?

The novel '1984' by George Orwell begins with 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' This opening immediately sets an off - kilter and somewhat dystopian mood. It makes the reader aware that things in this world are not quite as they should be, and draws them into the story to find out more about this strange place where the normal rules seem to be broken.

In 'Pride and Prejudice', Jane Austen starts with 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' This opening is clever as it sets up the social context of the time where marriage was often about financial security. It also gives a hint of the humor and social commentary that will follow throughout the novel.

One of the best is 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens. It immediately sets a tone of contrast and historical context, making the reader wonder about the times being described.

The opening sentence of '1984' by George Orwell, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' is also remarkable. The unexpected 'clocks were striking thirteen' creates a sense of unease and immediately makes the reader curious about this strange world. It's a great start to introduce the dystopian setting of the novel.

One of the best opening sentences is from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...'. This immediately sets a complex and thought - provoking mood, making the reader wonder about the contrast it presents. It draws you in and makes you curious about the story that will unfold in these two very different 'times'.

Here's another one: 'The door slammed shut behind her, and she knew she could never go back.' This opening sentence gives a sense of finality and a feeling of a new beginning. It makes the reader curious about the character, why she can't go back, and what lies ahead for her.

The opening sentence 'The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.' is excellent. It immediately makes the reader think about the concept of the past and how it might be different. It can lead to all sorts of stories, whether it's about a character's personal past or a historical setting.

One effective opening sentence could be 'In a world where magic seeped through every crack in the ancient stones, a young orphan named Elara awoke with a strange mark on her hand.' This immediately sets a magical and mysterious tone, introducing a character and a hint of something unusual.

One good opening sentence could be 'In the bustling city square, their eyes met for the first time, and in that instant, a spark of something indescribable was kindled.'

They introduce key themes. Consider 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee: 'When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.' This opening not only starts the story but also foreshadows the violence and injustice that will be central themes in the novel. It hooks the reader right from the start, making them eager to explore how this event came about and what it means for the characters.