the best sentences in novels

One of the best sentences could be 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' from 'Pride and Prejudice'. It's great because it sets the stage for the whole story about marriage and social status in that era.

The opening of 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, 'Call me Ishmael.' is quite remarkable. It's a very direct and somewhat mysterious start. By simply stating his name (or the name he wants to be called), Ishmael invites the reader into his world. It makes the reader curious about who this Ishmael is and what his story will be about.

One of the best is 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens. It immediately sets a tone of contrast and historical context, making the reader wonder about the times being described.

One example is 'Call Me Ishmael' from 'Moby - Dick'. This first sentence is so iconic and immediately draws the reader in, setting a mood of mystery and adventure related to the sea. It makes you curious about who Ishmael is and what his story will be.

The opening sentence of '1984' by George Orwell, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' is also remarkable. The unexpected 'clocks were striking thirteen' creates a sense of unease and immediately makes the reader curious about this strange world. It's a great start to introduce the dystopian setting of the novel.

The last sentence of '1984' - 'He loved Big Brother.' is very impactful. It shows the complete and utter defeat of the protagonist Winston. After all his resistance and rebellion, he finally succumbs to the totalitarian regime, which is a chilling end to a novel that explores themes of power, control, and the loss of individual freedom.

One of the best opening sentences is from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...'. This immediately sets a complex and thought - provoking mood, making the reader wonder about the contrast it presents. It draws you in and makes you curious about the story that will unfold in these two very different 'times'.

One of the best first sentences 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 sentence immediately sets the tone for a story that will deal with social expectations, marriage, and class in 19th - century England.

The opening sentence 'The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.' is excellent. It immediately makes the reader think about the concept of the past and how it might be different. It can lead to all sorts of stories, whether it's about a character's personal past or a historical setting.

Sentences that convey deep emotions are often among the best. In 'The Catcher in the Rye', Holden's rants about phoniness show his inner turmoil and disillusionment. These kinds of sentences that cut to the core of a character's feelings are really special. They make you understand the character on a deeper level and can also make you feel the same emotions as the character.