Here's an opening line that creates wonder: 'The first men to land on Mars had been carefully chosen: a mathematician, a biologist and a physicist. All three were now dead.' This immediately makes you wonder what happened to these carefully selected men. It makes you think about the perils of space exploration and what could have gone wrong on Mars. It creates a sense of mystery and wonder about the unknown planet and the fate of those who ventured there.
Sure. 'There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.' This opening line creates a sense of wonder by making you think about the very nature of the universe and the possibilities of something beyond our understanding. It makes you eager to read on to see how the story will explore these ideas.
Sure. 'Call me Ishmael.' from 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. This simple yet powerful line draws the reader in, making them curious about who Ishmael is and what his story will be.
An opening line like 'In the old house on the hill, the shadows moved when there was no one to make them move.' is great for dread. The old house on the hill is a classic horror setting, and the idea of the shadows moving on their own defies logic and gives a very creepy feeling. It makes you think that there are forces at work that are not of this world, and that's a very effective way to start a horror novel.
A good one is 'On the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much - the wheel, New York, wars and so on - whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man - for precisely the same reasons.' It starts with a thought - provoking comparison between humans and dolphins, and makes you anticipate a story that might question our assumptions of intelligence. Another great opening line is 'The Time Traveler (for so it will be convenient to speak of him)' which sets up a story about time travel in a very matter - of - fact way, getting you ready for an adventure through time.
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.
Sure. 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams has the great opening 'Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun.' It quickly establishes a sense of the vastness of the universe and the insignificance of our own little corner. It also has a touch of humor which is characteristic of Adams' writing.
The opening of 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens - 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' is a classic. It sets up the contrast that is going to be central to the story, which is set during the French Revolution. It's a very powerful and thought - provoking start that gives a sense of the complex and chaotic times in which the story unfolds.
One of the top best 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 immediately sets the tone for the story which is centered around marriage and social status in the English society of that time.
One of the best opening lines is from 'Dune' by Frank Herbert: 'A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct.' It immediately sets a tone of precision and importance, hinting at the complex world of politics and ecology in the story.
Sure. Consider the opening of 'The Magicians' by Lev Grossman: 'Quentin did a magic trick. Nobody noticed.' This line is interesting as it sets up the character Quentin and his ability to do magic in a world where it seems unnoticed. It makes you wonder why his magic goes unnoticed and what kind of world he lives in.
Well, from 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte, 'There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.' This unassuming opening is actually quite effective. It creates a sense of confinement and the start of a story that will likely involve the main character breaking free from some sort of restriction, whether it be physical or emotional.