The book '1984' by George Orwell also has a memorable first line. 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' This strange and somewhat disorienting first line makes the reader curious about the world Orwell is about to describe, a dystopian future where the government has extreme control over the people.
One could consider 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll. Its first line sets the stage for the very strange and fantastical journey that Alice is about to embark on. And 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' by C.S. Lewis. The opening immediately makes you wonder what's on the other side of that wardrobe.
Well, it really depends on the specific novel. Different novels have different famous first lines. For example, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' is a well-known one from 'A Tale of Two Cities'.
Katherine Mansfield's 'The Prelude' is also a well - known first published short story. It offers a detailed and nuanced look into the lives and relationships within a family, with her unique writing style making it a great read. Mansfield uses vivid descriptions and complex characterizations to bring the story to life.
One famous first - person short story is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It gives a deep look into the mind of a woman suffering from postpartum depression through her own perspective.
One famous first novel is 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It's a classic that delves into themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. Another is 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte. It tells the story of an orphaned girl's journey through life, love, and self - discovery. 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger is also well - known. It follows the experiences of Holden Caulfield as he navigates adolescence and society.
Another one is 'Call Me by Your Name' which is set in Italy. It shows the budding first love between Elio and Oliver. The story beautifully captures the intense emotions, the confusion, and the passion of first homosexual love, from the small glances to the long conversations by the Italian countryside.
One famous novel that starts with a single - word first line is 'Call Me Ishmael' from 'Moby - Dick'. This simple yet powerful first line immediately draws the reader in, making them curious about who Ishmael is. Another could be 'It' by Stephen King. The single - word 'It' sets a somewhat mysterious and foreboding tone right from the start, making the reader wonder what 'it' could be. Also, 'Gone' could be the start of a novel, creating a sense of suddenness and mystery as the reader wonders what has gone.
A 'first line story' might begin as 'On a sunny day in a bustling city, a young artist set up his easel in the park.' This first line gives us a sense of the setting - a sunny day in a busy city. And we're interested in the young artist. What will he paint? Will he meet interesting people while painting in the park? It gives a lot of potential for different story directions.
Sure. 'The Little Gay Prince' is a popular one. It's about a young gay prince finding his place in a world full of expectations. Another is 'A Gay Summer's Tale' which tells a story of two young men who meet during summer vacation and their journey of self - discovery and love.
Virginia Woolf's 'The Voyage Out' can be considered as one. It was her first novel that showed her unique writing style and delved into the inner lives of adults. It explored themes like love, marriage, and the social expectations of women in a more mature and complex way compared to many works at that time. It was a start of her exploration into the adult - centered literary world.