A very effective short story opening line is 'There was a man who was born old and grew younger every day.' This type of opening is so intriguing because it defies our normal understanding of the aging process. It makes the reader eager to find out more about this man, how such a thing is possible, and what his story will be. It creates a sense of mystery right from the start, which is a key element in a good short story opening.
One of the best opening lines is from 'The Goldfinch' by Donna Tartt: 'While I was still in Amsterdam, I dreamed about my mother for the first time in years.' It immediately sets a tone of reminiscence and mystery. The mention of a specific place and a long - absent figure draws the reader in.
In 'Americanah' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the opening line 'Ifemelu—rhymes with Chimamanda—noticed it on her first day at Princeton.' is great. It gives us a character's name right away and also links it to the author's name in a clever way, which makes the reader curious about this Ifemelu and her experience at Princeton. It starts the story in a very specific place and situation, which is effective in drawing the reader in.
Some opening lines in novels are really captivating. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', '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 tone for the whole story about marriage and social class in that era. Another great one could be from '1984' which starts with a rather gloomy and controlling atmosphere description, making readers immediately feel the oppressiveness of the world Orwell is about to show.
The opening line 'All children, except one, grow up' from 'Peter Pan' is very engaging. It focuses on the concept of growing up, which is a central theme in the story. By highlighting that one child doesn't grow up, it piques our curiosity. We want to know who this special child is and why they are different, leading us to explore the magical world of Neverland along with Peter Pan.
One of the well - known opening lines is 'Call me Ishmael' from 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. This simple yet powerful line gives the character a voice right from the start. It's like an invitation for the reader to follow Ishmael's story. It's also a bit mysterious as we don't know much about Ishmael yet, but we are intrigued to find out more about him and his adventures.
The opening line 'Call me Ishmael.' from 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville is also well - known. It's a simple yet powerful way to introduce the narrator, making the reader curious about who Ishmael is and what his story will be.
One of the most famous opening lines 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 tone for the whole novel which is centered around marriage, social class, and the relationships between men and women in the 19th - century English society. It's a satirical take on the society's obsession with marriage as a means of economic and social stability.
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 reflects the social values of the time. It's a statement that seems matter - of - fact, but also reveals the society's preoccupation with marriage and wealth. It gives a quick insight into the world the characters will inhabit.
A notable opening line is 'Once upon a time and a very good time it was there was a moocow coming down along the road' from James Joyce's 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man'. This line has a dreamy, almost child - like quality. It begins to introduce the reader to the mind and memories of the young protagonist, and Joyce's unique narrative style that will be further explored throughout the novel.
One of the best opening lines is 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'. This line immediately sets an off - kilter mood, making the reader wonder about this strange world where the clocks are behaving differently than expected. It draws you in, making you curious about what kind of place this is and what's going to happen next.