It was joined by a second and a third, then the road ahead was a string of red beads. That book was made by a mr mark twain, and he told the truth, mainly. Peoplequiz trivia quiz agatha christies opening lines. Opening lines narrative resource teaching resources. Jul 25, 20 when i interviewed stephen king for the by heart series, he told me about some of his favorite opening lines in literature. The great lines heritage park is a complex network of open spaces in the medway towns, connecting chatham, gillingham, brompton and the historic dockyard. I really do like the movie, but the book is from the perspective of chief bromden, whom i consider much more interesting than mcmurphy. Pearl shares some of her favorite literary opening lines with nprs. For me personally the opening line of a book has always been important and meaningful. This resource contains the 30 best opening lines to novels compiled by the telegraph. The authors know that books dont just need a great story, there also needs to be something that draws in the reader. Also if someone could write a few lines for the first few lines of the story then that would help enormously.
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of a tale of two cities, test your literary knowledge with our opening lines quiz. Test your knowledge on this literature quiz to see how you do and compare your score to others. Check out how the winners of this years goodreads choice awards hooked readers below. Stylists pick of the best hundred first lines from books, from classic to modern literature. Literature quiz g books by opening lines random literature or book quiz can you match these books with their opening lines. Speaking of austen and opening lines have you ever noticed the structural similarities between the opening lines of persuasion and the opening. The great lines heritage park, consists of fort amherst, chatham lines, the field of fire later known as the great lines, inner lines, medway park. Great first lines a list for those books that have witty, profound, or just plain interesting first lines. The opening line of the book is so beautiful, its stuck with me for 20 years can anyone top this. Though there are many advises from professional editors and famous writers themselves, it is still the most crucial part where your literary genius must shine. Recently ive been studying the tale of heike the english translation, anyway. Here are 12 opening lines in ya that immediately draw you in, from 12 great books that never let you go. The beginning of it carries the daunting task of hooking the prospective reader in.
Join a live hosted trivia game for your favorite pub trivia experience done virtually. Sep 08, 2004 famous first words you cant judge a book by its cover, but librarian nancy pearl thinks the first line can tell you a lot. There comes a time when you have to choose between turning the page and closing the book josh jameson you know youve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as though youve lost a friend paul sweeney no matter how grouchy youre feeling, youll find the smile more or less healing. Normal people is the first great millennial love story. Jun 27, 2011 the first sentence takes you right to the heart of the matter, announcing one of the themes of the book. Would you settle for arresting or intriguing instead of beautiful opening lines. But a great line should always pull you out of your world and straight into the world of the book. These are just some of those i could have listed so, in no particular order, here they are. First lines from the best books of the year goodreads news. Note that when voting for a book, it is useful to put its first line in the why you added this book field.
Memoir first linesa contest for readers of this blog. 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. I ask the indulgence of the children who may read this book for dedicating it to a grownup. Okay, so maybe it isnt one of the best opening lines in literature, but its most definitely one of the best opening lines in literature ive written.
Appel offers up seven different approaches to writing a killer opening line he includes examples from classic novels to accompany each, too. The 10 best first lines in fiction books the guardian. Famous first words you cant judge a book by its cover, but librarian nancy pearl thinks the first line can tell you a lot. Sep 21, 2016 so what does it take for me to move past page one of a book. Sometimes the opening sentence itself can make or break a book, it sets the mood, gives out expectations. Its often said that a book shouldnt be judged by its cover, but what about its opening lines. His two children left the room, closing the door behind them.
Heres the telegraphs list of 30 great opening lines in literature. If youre having trouble nailing your opening, youre in luck. Free pua openers how to start conversations with girls. Opening lines pua, tyler durden, style, seduction tips.
Just makes me happy to see the things that reminds me of my mom. The beginning of it carries the daunting task of hooking the. But when the union army invades virginia and takes over edwards familys plantation, edwards family flees to nearby petersburg, while simon runs toward freedom. Pua openers, pickup lines for meeting women simple pua openers for easily starting conversations with women. This infographic features 34 compelling first lines from some of the most famous books of all time.
These books of fiction are well known for their opening lines. The waystone inn lay in silence, and it was a silence of three parts. Some great lines are flowery and beautiful, while others are direct and to the point. What are your favorite opening lines from a book, whether. Our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. Apr, 2016 sometimes the opening sentence itself can make or break a book, it sets the mood, gives out expectations. Another year and more of my favourite opening lines or paragraphs, be they evocative, compelling andor dramatic, from books ive read, or am reading, during the past twelve months not necessarily new ones. Whats the best opening line from the books youve read. Orbiting this at a distance of roughly ninetytwo million miles is an utterly insignificant little blue green planet whose ape descended life forms are so amazingly primitive that they still think digital watches are a pretty neat idea. This summers hottest books came with some unforgettable opening moments. Apr 28, 2012 our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce.
Can you match the book title with the opening lines of the book. Great opening lines from your favorite books presents a smorgasbord of popular fiction from around the world. I used to have this game with my boyfriend where we would read the opening lines of books to each other and critisize them and pick our favorites. Here they are and they are worth bookmarking and referencing each time you begin a story. 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. As a kid i was excited about every book, made drawings of battles, lists of indian terms, went to library to find every piece of info about ancient egypt etc. The book just launched earlier this month i hope youll have a look. The long military history of the towns has dominated the history of the site and the park. The first sentence takes you right to the heart of the matter, announcing one of the themes of the book. As the first thing you lay eyes upon when opening up a new book, the first line needs to be.
Tis to create, and in creating live a being more intense that we endow with form our fancy, gaining as we give the life we image, even as i do now. Opening lines list of books with great first lines. Some poetic, some informative, some simple, some playful, some mindbending, all inspirational. It is the magic that will attract you or the curse that will make you hate the book, yes by just some play on words. And who can forget the call me ishmael beginning of herman melvilles maritime classic moby dick. First sentences, of course, have different functionsto amuse, to frighten, to mystifyand the mechanics a writer uses to achieve this. Prepare to read the most fascinating article of your life. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Books have been a constant throughout my life and i love sharing those ive enjoyed with others.
Gally, who had been lost in thought, looked across at the man she had. When i interviewed stephen king for the by heart series, he told me about some of his favorite opening lines in literature. Book quiz, letter quiz, first word, letter g, text. Speaking of austen and opening lines have you ever noticed the structural similarities between the opening lines of persuasion and the opening lines of harry potter. Often, the first paragraph in a work of art is like a haiku. We try to not judge books by their covers, but first lines. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. What are some of your favorite opening lines in literature.
May 24, 2016 20 mesmerizing opening lines from books thatll stay with you even after youre done reading. From the pithy to the provocative, the classic book opener comes in many different forms. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times is, of course, the famous opening line to charles dickens classic about the french revolution. Not to be published but just as a hobby as something to do when im bored. So here, i will share with you some books i have read that has the best opening. Read the lines from byrons childe harolds pilgrimage. Probably the hardest part about writing a book is how to start a story in the first place. Best opening line of a biography biographies, memoirs and autobiographies. The top 10 best opening lines of novels litreactor. Play sporcle s virtual live trivia to have fun, connect with people, and get your trivia on. With terrific detail and historical facts woven throughout, the author crafts a story set during the actual siege at.
It says in one breath what the whole book will say more fully as we follow the red thread of meaning. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in. The opening line is that hook and the books on this list all have intriguing, interesting, and unique opening sentences. Thank you for sharing these fabulous opening lines. The best first lines from new novels meeting a new book is like meeting a new personthose initial few seconds can entrance you for the rest of your life. The knell of the bells at the gion temple echoes the impermanence of all things. Apr 16, 2015 some great lines are flowery and beautiful, while others are direct and to the point. In a creative writing course at school we had an assignment to pick out really good openings from books at the school library. The famous lawyer, rufus choate, listening to foreignlanguage grand opera in new york, had told his daughter to be sure to let him know when to laugh or cry or just sit still and keep cool. Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun. The 27 best opening lines in books, from rebecca to the great. We take a look at some of the best opening lines from titles by booklife authors. Its a lot of fun and a great way to start a writing day rebecca on april 05, 2011 10. I will be using this to demonstrate to year 10 students what an effective opening line looks like prior to their wjec narrative writing controlled assessment.
First lines from the best books of the year goodreads. You can tell a lot about a science fiction book from its first sentence. The opening line of a book generally has a deeper meaning to it than we fathom. The first sentence of any piece of writing is arguably the most important both in terms.
Sep 28, 2014 this resource contains the 30 best opening lines to novels compiled by the telegraph. Ten great opening lines in literature the irish times. Great opening sentences from science fiction novels. Sir walter elliot, of kellynch hall, in somersetshire, was a man who, for his own amusement, never took up a book but the baronetage. Our selection of wise and witty opening words from 30 brilliant classic. Following are what i consider to be 25 of the best opening lines in literature, in no particular order. Yup, i was also quite surprised by this first line. May 08, 2018 another year and more of my favourite opening lines or paragraphs, be they evocative, compelling andor dramatic, from books ive read, or am reading, during the past twelve months not necessarily new ones. Can you match these books with their opening lines. A truly great first sentence establishes a tone, sticks in your mind, and serves as a little otherworldly koan, confounding. I was thinking maybe an alice in wonderland type theme but other suggestions i will consider too. Best opening line of a biography biographies, memoirs and.