What Are the Best Opening Lines in Literature?

What Makes Them So Powerful?

The Art of the First Line

Writers know: first impressions matter. The first line of a novel carries enormous weight. It needs to intrigue the reader, establish a voice, and hint at the journey ahead — all within a few words. It’s a balancing act between mystery and clarity, surprise and comfort. A great opening line doesn’t just start a story; it promises one.

Some first lines are famous because they instantly pull us into the narrator’s mind. Others create an atmosphere we can’t resist exploring. And some simply punch us in the gut with their raw emotional power.

Let’s look at some of the most unforgettable examples — and uncover the magic behind them

Some of the Best Opening Lines in Literature

1. “Call me Ishmael.” 

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

In just three words, Melville introduces a mysterious narrator with a command: “Call me.” It’s informal, direct, and oddly intimate, instantly drawing the reader into a relationship with the speaker. Why not simply “My name is Ishmael”? Because this way, Melville leaves open a hint of ambiguity — is Ishmael even his real name? The mystery invites us in.

2. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Dickens’ famous paradox captures the tumult of an era in a single, rhythmic sentence. The repetition and opposites (“best/worst”) immediately create tension and suggest complexity — a perfect prelude to a novel about revolution and transformation.

3. “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Tolstoy’s opening isn’t just a statement — it’s a philosophical proposition. It invites debate, curiosity, and contemplation right away. It promises that what follows will explore deep emotional truths, not just plot.

4. “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”

1984 by George Orwell

Everything seems normal — until it doesn’t. That chilling “thirteen” jolts readers into realizing that the world of 1984 will be a strange, unsettling place. It’s a subtle yet powerful disturbance in reality, foreshadowing the dystopian nightmare to come.

5. “You better not never tell nobody but God.”

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

With unpolished, deeply personal language, Walker immediately immerses the reader in her protagonist’s voice and situation. The grammar signals innocence and pain, making the story feel raw and authentic from the first moment.

What Makes These Lines So Powerful?

1. Voice: A strong, distinct voice makes a first line memorable. We hear the character or the narrator speaking directly to us.

2. Mystery: Good opening lines leave us with questions. Who is Ishmael? Why are the clocks striking thirteen?

3. Emotion: Whether it’s fear, wonder, sadness, or intrigue, the best lines stir something inside us.

4. Tone-setting: The first line often hints at the entire book’s tone — whether it will be dark, playful, somber, or thrilling.

5. Memorability: Simplicity, rhythm, and surprise make a line stick in the reader’s mind long after they’ve finished the book.

Final Thoughts

An unforgettable opening line is a doorway. It tempts you to step through into a story you can’t resist exploring. The next time you start a book, pay close attention to how the first sentence makes you feel. And if you’re a writer yourself, remember: you don’t have to explain everything in the first line — you just have to make the reader want more.

Which opening line has stuck with you the longest? We’d love to hear your favorites!

Until next time,