The opening line of a book are like the curtains swooping up, revealing the stage as the author ushers you into the story and also another world. An opening line forms the first impression. It is the opening line that grabs your attention and hooks you into the story! There are some amazing opening lines that fill the reader in you with curiosity and intrigue to find out more. Here are 23 opening lines of books that will make you want to read them now…
1. Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
2. 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.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
3. In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
4. Mother died today.Or maybe yesterday; I can’t be sure.
The Stranger by Albert Camus
5. You better not never tell nobody but God.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
6. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
7. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
8. I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
9. Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Here are some more opening lines of books that are truly impressive…
10. When you have to kill the same terrorist twice in one week, then there’s either something wrong with your skills or something wrong with your world. And there’s nothing wrong with my skills.
Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry
11. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
12. There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
13. Captain Ahab was neither my first husband, nor my last.
Ahab’s Wife by Sena Jeter
14. Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
15. The man sitting across from me at the café was thinking about murdering his wife.
The Mind Readers by Lori Brighton
16. Before my wife turned vegetarian, I’d always thought of her as completely unremarkable in every way.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
17. Later, as he sat on his balcony eating the dog, Dr Robert Laing reflected on the unusual events that had taken place within this huge apartment building during the previous three months.
High-Rise by JG Ballard
18. Every summer Lin Kong returned to Goose Village to divorce his wife, Shuyu.
Waiting by Ha Jin
19. He sat at his desk, wearily watching the children file out of the room, reflecting that, this term at least, it was reasonable to assume that none of the girls was pregnant.
Wake In Fright by Kenneth Cook
20. I don’t know how other men feel about their wives walking out on them, but I helped mine pack.
Breaking Up by Bill Manville
21. I begin with writing the first sentence — and trusting to Almighty God for the second.
The Life And Opinions Of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne
22. When you wish that a Saturday was actually a Monday, you know there is something seriously wrong.
Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen
23. It’s a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Hope you’ve enjoyed this list and do add your own favorite opening lines of books in the comments below!
32 Responses
Wow! There are many interesting ones in here… need to catch with many books as well. Always looking forward to each one of your posts in here.
Simply loved these lines . Some of them I’ve committed to memory on the past and still remember them . Those that I haven’t come across ( and it’s most of them) I’ll definitely visit and read the book .
Now just waiting for the lockdown to ease up.
Many of these were new for me and no.16 made me laugh.
Thanks for a wonderful list !! 🙂
Fantastic openings. I have read quite many of these books. You have whetted my appetite for the others.
Opening lines plays a big role in deciding whether to continue reading or not. Surprisingly, I never paid attention to the opening lines. Now I am thinking why didn’t I? Which means the lines were catchy enough for counting the reading? May be..
That’s a nice collection of first lines. I’ve added a few to the TBR list
Really nice & interesting lines. Am yet to read so many books!
These are really interesting opening lines. It is so strange I never ever realised how an opening line can affect the reading if the book.
Nice curation of first lines. I was half hoping you would include the first line from Eric Segal’s ‘doctors’.
Opening line of Anna Karenina is my all-time favourite!
Such a lovely and unique post, Shilpa. Enjoyed reading it, The Pride & Prejudice & Zombies made me chuckle.
Opening lines really do draw you into the story. I love your side by side opening lines on your list for Pride and Prejudice and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I’ve read both books and they’re both fantastic.
Have you ever watch the sitcom The Middle? There’s a great episode “Brick Writes a Sentence” where the youngest child writes for days and days to come up with the perfect opening sentence. He does come up with a great one but then he stops writing. No more story! Weekends In Maine
Loved the idea and every one of those lines you shared, Shilpa. Great stuff!
The opening line of The Mind Readers caught my attention the most. Putting it on my TBR now. So does The Graveyard Book.
Another very out of box post where the theme is Books. I look forward to surprises that you have planned for us, the readers, Shilpa.
What an amazing compilation of opening lines of iconic books!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading these intriguing beginnings. I must say great picks buddy, want to read at least a couple immediately
While most of the classics leave an impact with a memorable first line, I have to say I havent really felt that way for a long time with modern novels.
Opening lines do catch our attention instantly and the story further retains it. Nicely penned. I have read some of the books you have mentioned here.
Lovely post! I enjoyed re-reading the opening lines of some of my favourites and am eager to explore some new ones!
First tell me have you read all these books ?? Great opening line compilation. Which one book., Just one would you recommend ??
The opening lines are the bait; Once hooked there’s no way back! You’ve picked some beauties.
Those are truly captivating lines indeed. I have ready many of them but I was able to add many more to my ever-growing TBR list!
Interesting post, Shilpa. I must say that you really have an amazing writing skill.
— rightpurchasing.com
Excellent selections. I would add one more. What can you say about a 25-year-old girl who died? Book: Love Story written by Erich Segal.
Thank you for sharing
A very good list. Some of these I have read and some I want to read now. Thanks for sharing – a truly good way to entice a reader!
Thats some crazy observation and the headline way catchy
You’ve gotta love those classics 😉
Most of them are very striking opening lines. A good collection.
Brilliant Shilpa and so interesting to read books that almost makes you curious and invites into the world of the author. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens brought me memories of my school days, have some memories of this book. I heard about Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy but never read… there are many books I have not read Shilpa… will note at least a few from here to read. Thanks for sharing.
I love these, Shilpa. Only just discovering your blog today, so late in the Challenge, but I will definitely return. Some of these books I have read, others I ought to have read–they’re even on my bookshelves–but I haven’t, still others I have never heard of but you piqued my interest. I notice that there aren’t any Indian English novels on the list, Maybe I’ll try a little list of first lines from some of them. . .
All my best, and keep safe and well, J