Another one is 'Moby - Dick' with its famous opening 'Call me Ishmael.' It's a very simple yet powerful start. It immediately makes the reader focus on the character who is about to tell his story, and it has a certain air of mystery as we don't know much about Ishmael yet but are eager to follow his journey.
Sure. 'The door slammed shut behind her, trapping her in the abandoned asylum. A shrill scream echoed through the halls.' This opening throws the character into a terrifying situation right away.
Sure. In 'The Fault in Our Stars', the opening where Hazel is talking about her cancer and how it has affected her life. It's a very honest and raw start that draws the reader in. It makes you care about Hazel from the very beginning.
In '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 opening is brilliant as it quickly establishes a social context and the central theme of marriage and wealth that runs throughout the novel.
In 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, the opening line 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' is brilliant. It not only gives a peek into the society's values and the central theme of marriage in the novel but also has a touch of humor. It makes the reader curious about how the story will unfold around this concept.
Sure. 'The Hobbit' by J.R.R. Tolkien starts with 'In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.' It's simple yet very effective. It draws the reader into the world of hobbits which is a unique and fascinating one. A beginner would easily be able to picture this hole and the hobbit, making them eager to read more.
One of the best openings 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 19th - century England.
Well, one great opening could be a mysterious murder scene that immediately hooks the reader. Like in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' where a body is found in a strange and puzzling way.
Starting with a mysterious statement works well. For instance, 'The old house on the corner had a secret that no one knew, until now.' This piques the reader's interest as they want to uncover what that secret is. It can lead to a story full of mystery and discovery.
In my opinion, 'As the old house creaked and groaned, he felt a presence he couldn't explain. The air was thick with a stench of decay, and the shadows seemed to move on their own.' is a very effective opening. The description of the house gives a sense of age and decay, which is often associated with horror. The unexplained presence and the moving shadows build tension right from the start.
A vivid description can also make a great novel opening. Such as 'The sun blazed down on the dusty town, the heat rising in shimmering waves from the cracked streets. The saloon doors swung open, and a figure emerged, his face hidden beneath a wide - brimmed hat.' This type of opening sets the scene and makes the reader curious about what will happen next. It gives a sense of place and a hint of mystery.