top 100 opening lines in novels

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.

Another great one is 'All children, except one, grow up' from 'Peter Pan'. It's so simple yet it draws you in right away, making you wonder about that one child. There are also lines like 'Call me Ishmael' from 'Moby - Dick' which is very iconic and gives a sense of the narrator's identity and sets the tone for the story. These opening lines are great because they either create mystery, set the mood, or introduce a key concept right from the start.

Some other notable opening lines among the top ten could be from 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov: 'Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul.' This line is very powerful and sets the tone for the entire novel. 'Anna Karenina' by Leo Tolstoy starts with 'All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.' It's a thought - provoking beginning that delves into the nature of family and happiness.

Many use vivid descriptions. By painting a picture in the reader's mind right from the start, like a description of a unique setting or an interesting character. For instance, an opening line that describes a spooky old house makes you want to know what's inside. Also, some opening lines introduce a conflict early on, which makes readers eager to see how it will be resolved.

One could be 'It was a cold December day when she first walked into his life, and he knew at that moment everything would change.' Another might be 'The moment their eyes met across the crowded room, a spark ignited, a spark that would soon turn into a flame of love.' And also 'In a small town filled with secrets, she found a letter that would lead her to him, and thus began their love story.'

The opening line 'Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice' from 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'. This complex line jumps through time, giving a sense of the non - linear nature of the story. It also creates an air of mystery and doom, as we start with the character facing a firing squad and then go back in time. It's a very effective way to start a novel that is full of magic realism.

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.

They can also set the tone. In '1984' with 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' This opening creates an immediate sense of unease. The abnormal 'clocks were striking thirteen' gives a feeling that this is a world that is different and perhaps dystopian. It's a very effective way to start a story that is about a totalitarian regime.

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.