top first lines of novels

One of the most famous is 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens. This line immediately sets a tone of contrast and complexity, hinting at the dual nature of the story that unfolds in the novel.

Well, in the top 100 first lines, we often see cultural representation through the use of local dialects or accents. If the first line is written in a Scottish dialect, it immediately gives a sense of Scottish culture. Also, the types of characters introduced in the first line can be culturally significant. If the first line features a samurai in feudal Japan, it represents Japanese culture, its honor code and warrior traditions. These first lines are like little windows into different cultures around the world.

From the top 100 first lines of novels, we can learn about different literary devices used at the very start. Some use foreshadowing. For instance, if the first line says something like 'The last time I saw him, he was walking into the fog.' It makes you anticipate that something might go wrong with that person. Also, we can learn about the genre. A first line like 'Once upon a time in a land far away...' gives an instant fairytale vibe. It helps us to categorize the novel quickly.

The first lines are quite important. They can grab the reader's attention right away. For example, if the first line is dull, the reader might not be interested in reading further.

The first lines of Hemingway novels are often very impactful. For example, in 'The Sun Also Rises', the opening sets a certain mood. It draws the reader into the post - World War I disillusioned world that Hemingway was so good at portraying. These first lines usually give a hint of the themes that will follow, like the lost generation's search for meaning and the complex relationships among the characters.

In 'Pride and Prejudice', the first 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 well - known. This line not only reveals the social context of the time, where marriage was often a matter of financial and social status, but also gives a peek into the themes of the novel regarding relationships and social expectations.

Well, take 'The Great Gatsby' for example. Its first line '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 makes the narrator seem reflective and sets up the idea that there are important lessons and memories to be shared. It kind of draws the reader into the narrator's world right away.

One famous first line 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 sets the tone for the whole novel, which is mainly about marriage and social class in the 19th - century England. It immediately draws the reader's attention to the central theme of the novel.

The first lines of great novels often serve as a hook to draw readers in. For example, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities' immediately sets a complex and engaging tone. It makes you wonder about the contrast and what kind of story will unfold.

The '100 worst first lines of novels' might be bad for various reasons. Some could be too cliché, like starting with 'It was a dark and stormy night' which has been overused. Others might be too convoluted or unclear, making it difficult for readers to immediately engage with the story. Some first lines may also lack any sort of hook to draw the reader in.