A great opening line sets the stage for your entire novel by drawing readers in, capturing the tone, and sometimes even becoming iconic on its own. Whether it’s a single sentence that packs a punch or a paragraph that leaves readers breathless, these opening lines have set the bar for novelists around the world, across time.
Below are 12 of the most unforgettable novel openings - use them as inspiration for your own work, or simply enjoy their brilliance!
1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
“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.”
This famous opening immediately throws the reader into a dramatic future moment while subtly building curiosity about the past and the strange discovery of ice. It’s mysterious, layered, and incredibly effective. We love how it plays with the language of time, a theme at the heart of this tale!
2. 1984 by George Orwell
“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”
With this single sentence, Orwell creates an unsettling and dystopian world. The ordinary (a cold day in April) collides with the strange (clocks striking thirteen), grabbing the reader's attention and setting up the world of 1984. It screams "Simple, but effective".
3. 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.”
Jane Austen's classic opening is both witty and satirical, setting the tone for her sharp commentary on marriage and society. It’s a perfect balance of humor and insight that immediately draws the reader in. Of course, we hear it in the voice of Bridget Jones in modern times!
4. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.”
Doesn't this opening perfectly capture the voice of Holden Caulfield, Salinger’s cynical and disaffected narrator? You immediately know you're speaking with a somewhat disenchanted teen. His irreverent tone and immediate dismissal of conventional storytelling hooks the reader right away.
5. Moby Dick by Herman Melville
“Call me Ishmael.”
Simple. Brilliant. Memorable. At just three words, this is one of the most recognisable openings in literature. The simplicity of the line creates intrigue—who is Ishmael, and why does he want us to call him by this name? Melville’s concise introduction is timeless and evocative.
6. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
Tolstoy’s opening statement is both philosophical and provocative, immediately setting the reader up to explore the complexities of family, happiness, and tragedy in his epic novel. And more than that, it's relatable to many (hello, cynics!). It’s a hook that promises depth and emotional intensity, and doesn't disappoint.
7. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.”
Fitzgerald’s opening hints at wisdom and reflection, setting the stage for a story steeped in nostalgia, moral questions, and the pursuit of the American Dream. This stands out in our minds as one of the most intriguing openings in modern literature.
8. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.”
While this mightn't be the most compelling (though certainly compelling enough to engage it's millions upon millions of readers!), it is a great example of the classic style of hook that immediately raises questions: What happened to Jem, and why does it matter? Lee’s simple but evocative introduction draws the reader into a story of childhood, family, and justice, and more importantly, hooks the reader into the story by way of curiosity.
9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”
Simple iconic. Tolkien’s opening is simple, whimsical, and intriguing, and probably one of the most-quoted opening lines in modern times. With just a few words, he invites readers into an entirely new world, sparking curiosity about hobbits and the adventures that await.
10. Beloved by Toni Morrison
“124 was spiteful.”
Morrison’s terse and cryptic opening introduces an element of mystery. The personification of a house as “spiteful” immediately signals a story that will explore the haunting, emotional weight of the past.
11. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
“It was a pleasure to burn.”
Bradbury’s chilling and paradoxical opening captures the dystopian world of his novel. The sentence is provocative and shocking - it begs the question, "What story of story am I stepping into?" - forcing readers to confront the unsettling reality of what turns out to be book burning.
12. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
“When he woke in the woods in the dark and the cold of the night he’d reach out to touch the child sleeping beside him.”
McCarthy’s opening is haunting and tender, placing the reader directly into the stark, post-apocalyptic world while establishing the central relationship between father and son. McCarthy is a master of bending literary rules, and this immediately stands out from the stripped back, unpunctuated style of writing from the get-go. We're here for it.
What Makes These Openings So Memorable?
Each of these openings shares a common thread: they grab attention, evoke curiosity, and set the tone for the story to follow. Whether it’s through mystery, vivid imagery, or an unforgettable voice, they hook readers and invite them into the world of the novel. Really, isn't that the aim of a first line? (Hint: Yes. Yes, it is).
Take inspiration from these brilliant examples as you craft your own openings. Remember, your first line is your chance to make a lasting impression—make it count!
Remember to share your first lines in the comment section below, or via #FirstLineFriday in your favourite writers group!
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