Famous First Lines

The ever-important first line can start off a novel by introducing us to a character (“All children, except one, grow up.”), welcoming us into a setting (“Somewhere in La Mancha…”), striking a mood (“It was a dark and stormy night…”), or putting us right into the conflict (“A screaming comes across the sky.”). The best grab our attention and stay with us even after the last page is turned. Can you name the novels from which these famous first lines of speculative fiction are taken? (Answers can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the post.)

1. It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.
2. There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.
3. It was a pleasure to burn.
4. On my naming day when I come 12 I gone front spear and kilt a wyld boar he parbly ben the las wyld pig on the Bundel Downs any how there hadnt ben none for a long time befor him nor I aint looking to see none agen.
5. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.
6. All children, except one, grow up.
7. When Mr Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton.

What are some of your favorite first lines?

Parker Peevyhouse

1. It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. – George Orwell, 1984
2. There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it. – C. S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
3. It was a pleasure to burn. – Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
4. On my naming day when I come 12 I gone front spear and kilt a wyld boar he parbly ben the las wyld pig on the Bundel Downs any how there hadnt ben none for a long time befor him nor I aint looking to see none agen. – Russell Hoban, Riddley Walker
5. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
6. All children, except one, grow up. – J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan
7. When Mr Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton. – J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings