Sure. 'Call me Ishmael.' from 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. This simple statement makes the reader feel as if they are being directly addressed by the narrator, drawing them into Ishmael's story.
In 'The Great Gatsby', F. Scott Fitzgerald begins with 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This line gives the reader a sense of the narrator's reflection on his past and makes us wonder what that advice was and how it has shaped him.
Sure. 'Call me Ishmael.' from 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It's a simple yet powerful line that invites the reader to get to know the narrator. It's like Ishmael is personally asking you to listen to his story.
Sure. 'All children, except one, grow up.' from J.M. Barrie's 'Peter Pan'. This line makes you wonder about that one child who doesn't grow up and draws you into the magical world of Neverland.
Another example is from 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This opening makes the reader curious about what that advice was. It also gives an impression of the narrator reflecting on his past, which is central to the story of Jay Gatsby and the narrator's relationship with him. The line has a certain elegance and a touch of mystery.
Another one could be 'The letter arrived on a Tuesday, a simple envelope that held the power to change everything.' The mention of a simple letter having the power to change everything is very alluring. It makes the reader want to know what's in the letter, who it's for, and how it will cause such a big change.
Sure. The opening of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."' This line gives us an insight into the narrator's character and sets up the themes of class and judgment.
The opening of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This line creates a sense of reflection and mystery. We wonder what the advice was and why it has stayed with the narrator for so long. It also gives a bit of a personal touch to the story from the very beginning.
Another good one is 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' from Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. This line not only gives an insight into the society of the time where marriage was a big deal for financial and social reasons but also makes the reader interested in seeing how this idea will play out in the story.
Here's another one: 'The moment he saw the strange object in the sky, he knew his life would never be the same.' This opening is great for science - fiction or fantasy stories. It immediately grabs the reader's attention by introducing an element of the unknown and the potential for life - changing events. It also makes the reader wonder what the strange object is and what will happen next.
Another funny opening could be 'Once, in a place where the trees grew upside - down and the rain fell upwards, a young boy named Timmy tried to catch the raindrops with his hands, only to end up with soggy shoes on his head. It was a world full of topsy - turvy rules, and Timmy was about to embark on an adventure he could never have imagined.'
Here's one: 'She opened the door and stepped into a world she never knew existed.' This line is exciting because it sets up a journey of discovery. The reader wants to know more about this new world, what it looks like, and how she will react to it. It also implies that there is a big change coming for the character, which is a common and engaging story element.