great first lines of novels

The first lines of great novels often serve as a hook to draw readers in. For example, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities' immediately sets a complex and engaging tone. It makes you wonder about the contrast and what kind of story will unfold.

Often, the first lines of great novels are like a key to the whole story. For instance, in 'The Great Gatsby', '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 a sense of the narrator reflecting on his past, which is central to the story as it's a story full of memories, dreams, and illusions.

One great first line 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 line sets the stage for the story's focus on marriage and social class in 19th - century England.

One great first line 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.' It immediately sets the satirical and society - observing tone of the novel.

The opening line of '1984' by George Orwell, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' It's a very striking line. The idea of the clocks striking thirteen is abnormal and immediately creates a sense of unease and a dystopian atmosphere.

One great first line could be 'In a world where magic slept beneath the surface, an ordinary boy was about to change everything.' It immediately sets up a world with magic and a character who will be important.

In Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre', the line 'There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.' starts the story. It gives a sense of confinement which is relevant to Jane's situation as an orphan at Gateshead. It makes the reader curious about why she can't go for a walk and what kind of life she leads.

One great first line is from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' This line immediately sets a tone of contrast and complexity, making the reader curious about what the story will entail.

A classic example is 'Call me Ishmael.' from Herman Melville's 'Moby - Dick'. It's simple yet so effective. It makes the reader wonder who Ishmael is, and it gives an air of a personal account about to be shared. Just these three words are enough to start the reader on a journey into the story.

Great first lines often present something unexpected or thought - provoking. For example, the first line in 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville: 'Call me Ishmael.' It's simple yet mysterious, making the reader wonder who Ishmael is and what his story will be.