The famous first lines from du mauriers modern gothic, rebecca, set up the eerie tone of this book. The purpose of the opening sentence in any story or book is to get. Those two are usually at or near the top from popular fiction alongside jane austen. Why call me ishmael, the first line of moby dick, is among the most instantly. Various authors famous opening lines in literature genius. May 15, 2015 from tale of two cities my favourite novel actually you have to consider the full paragraph to understand the meaning. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.
Every year, the announcement of bulwerlytton prize is a gift from bad writing heaven. Why is call me ishmael regarded as one of the best opening lines. Reading english books is an excellent way to help your learning and get a cultural kick at the same time. Sep 30, 2014 the american scholar presents a list of the ten worst opening lines in novels. Some years ago never mind how long precisely having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, i thought i would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. Its certain that fine women eat a crazy salad with their meat from a prayer for my daughter, w.
And theyre absolutely part of the novel proper, which means that the first line of mobydick is not call me. Moby dick is one of the first modernist novel and the ishmael name refers to. It was the best of lines, it was the worst of lines is there a more famous opening line in all literature than, call me ishmael. What are your favorite opening lines from a book, whether. I still have six different copies, along with the first one i ever read.
Opening lines set the tone for a work of literature, serving as an invitation for a reader. Rate 5 stars rate 4 stars rate 3 stars rate 2 stars rate 1 star. About famous opening lines in literature the first line of a book can be a genteel whispered invitation to get cosy with the story, or a fist at your collar yanking you in. The ten most famous opening lines from english books. Here are fifty memorable opening lines from literature. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the. For me, the first line is the most important sentence in the book. It introduces a mystery the narrator doesnt say, my name is ishmael, he says you can call him that, it sets up the tone, and. From the pithy to the provocative, the classic book opener comes in many different forms.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the. Jul 01, 2009 the best of the worst opening sentences the bulwerlytton award offers a salutary display of how not to start a story alison flood. Everyone knows you are the one who will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes. Call me ishmael, perhaps the most famous opening line in literary history, is in fact not the first line of mobydick. Opening lines quotes quotes tagged as openinglines showing of 275 it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of. Hephzibah anderson explores the art of the perfect first sentence. Opening lines of novels, famous first lines of novels, best opening lines. So my best friend gets stolen by fairies, im trapped in an alternate universe and worst of all, everything we say and do is being broadcast on television for the entire multiverse to see. Our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce.
Our sidesplitting, outrageously funny book on sale at amazon. The 10 best first lines in fiction books the guardian. Its the book that makes famous opening lines so memorable. The knell of the bells at the gion temple echoes the impermanence of all things. The kind that will have you running to the bookstore. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of. I dont agree with all their choices, but i agree that most are. I grew up along with him as i read this book over and over and over. But the socalled first chapter is more like the books third, thanks to two rambling introductory chapters. Oct 29, 2019 what are the best first lines in fiction.
Esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. Everything is about the constant presence of memory, and the ethereal opening immediately. Oct 27, 20 name the most famous opening sentence to a novel. Since 1982 the bulwer lytton fiction contest has challenged man, woman, and very precocious child to write an atrocious opening sentence to a hypothetical bad novel. I havent read moby dick yes, i know, something wrong in my education, so i dont get at all why that first sentence would be so good. But the socalled first chapter is more like the book s third, thanks to two rambling introductory chapters. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch. The american scholar presents a list of the ten worst opening lines in novels. The best of the worst opening sentences the bulwerlytton award offers a salutary display of how not to start a story alison flood.
We take a look at the killer opening lines that got us hooked into our favourite books. Young adult fiction for adults worst quoteslines youve. The entire book is full of cringeworthy, icantbelieveyoujustsaidthat lines but this is probably the worst and so not what i wanted to hear in the middle of a majorly important conversation reply flag message 25. And who can forget the call me ishmael beginning of herman melvilles maritime classic moby dick. Post some of your favorite authors, books, genres you name it.
Were honored to receive thousands of odious entries from around the world each year. Opening lines quotes quotes tagged as openinglines showing of 275 it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. We begin with edward bulwerlytton, who penned the most famous deadweight line. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Jul, 2008 after browsing the opening lines of some of my favorite books, i realise i like openings that give me an image or a sound to which i can relate. And with so many books to read, the competition between them is wast. Bbc culture what are the best first lines in fiction. The final third of then it fell apart is even darker than its opening chapters detailing suicide attempts and child abuse, as moby goes through a particularly destructive phase of alcohol and drug. This famous beginning has really become a kind of joke, a metaphor for bad first lines. One of steven brusts novels starts with, theres something about the sound of a tambourine, and goes on to describe the sound in such a way that it sticks. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Opening lines of novels, famous first lines of novels. Opening lines of novels, famous first lines of novels, best. The greatest opening lines in literature amex essentials. During bookslingers, authors make personalized book recommendations for you. It was the best of lines, it was the worst of lines alex. Here are 10 opening doozies, lines that make it difficult to continue reading. Were all unifying under this one banner upenguinrandomhouse.
In fact, the opening sentence in mobydick is one of the most wellknown in literature. Inspired by novelist and playwright edward george bulwerlyttons famous it was a dark and stormy night opener, the contest asks writers to submit an opening sentence for the worst of all possible novels although fifty shades. Oct 12, 2019 esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. Nothing comes to mind for favourite opening lines of published works. Apr 04, 2016 we take a look at the killer opening lines that got us hooked into our favourite books. Many of us can quickly conjure some famous opening lines. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times is, of course, the famous opening line to charles dickens classic about the french revolution. Abandon all hope ye who enter here is scrawled in blood red lettering on the side of the chemical bank near the corner of eleventh and first and is in print large enough to be seen from the backseat of the cab as it lurches forward in the traffic leaving wall street and just as timothy price notices the words a bus pulls up, the advertisement for les miserables on its side blocking his view. Author stephen king recently revealed that he spends months, even years, writing opening sentences, attributing the success of the entire book to these first few words. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age.
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of a tale of two cities, test your literary knowledge with our opening lines quiz. The first and last lines of iconic books, and what they reveal. The good soldier and the reason is the collapse of the apparently fabulous life of narrator john dowell through deceit and mistrust, leading to immense suffering, and piercing a hole in the genteel facade of edwardian england. Sep 06, 2019 30 great opening lines in literature save from left. Looking back at all that has been written by accomplished authors throughout history, its extremely difficult to pick just ten books to mention, but to narrow the search weve opted for books with, in our opinion, the most famous opening lines.
If youre literary enough to recognize that quote from thomas malory, you might. Mobydick or, the whale quotes by herman melville goodreads. Once upon a time, there was a prostitute called maria. Mobydick or, the whale what was the purpose of the opening line. The first and last lines of iconic books, and what they. I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, ill go to it laughing.
I dont judge books by the cover, but i do judge them by their opening lines. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of. Herman melville, moby dick it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The final third of then it fell apart is even darker than its opening chapters detailing suicide attempts and child abuse, as moby goes through a particularly destructive phase. Yes, chapter 1 loomings of the novel begins with ishmael introducing himself. I had never heard of anyone quite like me when i was a kid, until i met milo.
Opening lines from literature quiz presented by abebooks. Mobydick has a bad reputation among many readersits. The best of the worst opening sentences books the guardian. How to write a great first line for your book superhero. Apr 03, 2019 literature quiz novel by opening lines. Herman melville created one of the bestknown opening lines in all of literature with this first sentence of moby dick 1 of 10 of stories this month get unlimited stories. Most of my favourite books are the ones with opening lines that amazed me and caught my attention dearly. And when the story becomes a classic, the first line can sometimes become as famous as the novel itself, as the quotes below demonstrate. I dont agree with all their choices, but i agree that most are awful enough to make me abandon the book after. Some years ago never mind how long precisely having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, i thought i would sail. Recently ive been studying the tale of heike the english translation, anyway. The first lines of novels set the tone for the story to come. Peter pan voted nations favourite opening line the scotsman. Yeats i was stunned, if not a little depressed, coming across the rhyme above.
Abandon all hope ye who enter here is scrawled in blood red lettering on the side of the chemical bank near the corner of eleventh and first and is in print large enough to be seen from the backseat of the cab as it lurches forward in the traffic leaving wall street and just as timothy price notices the words a bus pulls up, the advertisement for les miserables on its side. However, im rather fond of this line that i wrote myself. I remember there were lines in the first book that bothered me, indeed. Oh, you could go with moby call me ishmael dick or give me a tale of two cities when it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Having that in mind, weve rounded up the first lines of some of the worlds most famous books, and they stand as excellent examples of how a short sentence or two can set the tone for an entire story and define its legacy for decades to come. Our highly subjective list includes worst firsts from famous and infamous writers.
Apr 28, 2012 our guide to the greatest opening lines of novels in the english language, from jane austen to james joyce. Its the small window to get a reader hooked and finally decide to read the rest of book. Our sidesplitting, outrageously funny book on sale at. Apr 30, 2020 herman melville, moby dick it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. For instance, a lot of people say call me ishmael is their favorite first line. Or give me a tale of two cities when it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Shakespeares prologue in romeo and juliet two households, both alike in dignity, in fair verona, where we lay our scene.