It is a truth universally acknowledged, that not every great book has a great opening line, but that every great opening line is great in its own way. Our 2024 Close Reads bookish bracket is a chance to explore that certitude. So below you will find 64 of the greatest openings in literary history. Your task, if you choose to accept it, is to help us narrow the list down to one line to rule them all.
My heart soared when I saw Gabriel García Marquez, and then sank when I saw it was the wrong novel! One Hundred Years of Solitude has the best opening line ...
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.
I was waiting for the opening of Dawn Treader the whole way through. Finally on the last vote, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. That line gets me every time.
David, I’ve been meaning to say that the opening paragraph of this is brilliant. I love all the references. That’s some well-crafted writing there.
This was a lot of fun. It became a family road trip game of "Name that Book" and sparked fun discussions about the books. Thanks for making this.
My heart soared when I saw Gabriel García Marquez, and then sank when I saw it was the wrong novel! One Hundred Years of Solitude has the best opening line ...
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.
#18 is way wrong y'all
This was delightful! Thank you!
These are solid matchups. But you guys I think Hemingway and Harry Potter are getting shortchanged.
Matchup 19 was difficult!
That was difficult!
No Faulkner openers? The first line of Absalom, Absalom! transports me into that world like a magic carpet every time.
Lotr vs Madeline-ouch!
I was waiting for the opening of Dawn Treader the whole way through. Finally on the last vote, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. That line gets me every time.
Matchup 32 hurt somewhat
Is The Razors Edge any good?
The brilliance of Pooh shows up in subsequent lines unfortunately not the first!
I'm curious: with works in translation, how did you pick which version of the first line to use?
Ahhh Love in the Ruins didn't make it??? That is an awesome first line.