first lines of horror novels

One of the best is from 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker: '3 May. Bistritz. - Left Munich at 8.35 P.M., on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6.46, but the train was an hour late.' It immediately sets a sense of travel and the start of an adventure into the unknown, which is a great build - up for the horror to come.

One memorable first line is from 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker: '3 May. Bistritz. - Left Munich at 8.35 P.M., on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6.46, but the train was an hour late.' This line sets a journey in motion which leads to the encounter with the terrifying Dracula. It gives a sense of the time and place, creating an atmosphere of normalcy that is soon to be shattered by the horror that awaits.

They create mystery. For example, a line like 'In a dark, forgotten corner of the old house, something stirred.' makes the reader wonder what that something is. It's simple yet effective in making the reader want to know more.

Well, take the first line of 'The Shining' by Stephen King: 'Jack Torrance thought: Officially, winter comes to the Overlook Hotel on the twenty - first of October. But unofficially it had begun long before that.' This line sets a tone of foreboding. By mentioning winter coming to the hotel, it gives the impression of coldness, isolation, and something not quite right even before the real horror begins. It makes the reader anticipate that there are secrets and danger lurking in this hotel.

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.