The best of the worst opening sentences books the guardian. We end with the first sentence of the first published novel by john edward williams, one of our favorite novelists, who went on to write the spare, nearperfect stoner, giving hope to clunky writers everywhere. Alexander solzhenitsyn, one day in the life of ivan denisovich 2. The top 10 best opening lines of novels litreactor. In fact, the line is so infamously bad that it is the inspiration for the bulwerlytton fiction contest blfc, an annual tongueincheek competition sponsored by the english department of san jose university, which announced its 2012 winners this week. Prologues are usually a lazy way to give backstory chunks to the reader and can be handled with more finesse throughout the story. Behind the scenes of continentals remarkable comeback. In 1859, charles dickens started the first line of his. Entrants were invited to compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels. That being said, your comment raises some important questions. That prologue was so dreary i almost gave up on the book that first time. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Behind the scenes of continentals remarkable comeback kindle edition by bethune, gordon. In 1859, charles dickens started the first line of his novel.
The books are now out of print such is the state of our country today, but you may be able to secure copies for yourself and your innumerable admirers from the links below. Worst line in your favorite book submitted 1 year ago by pundry in a book that you think is great, is there any sentence that you thought was either just completely awful or otherwise out of place compared to the rest of the writing. Hemingways last line ends with a reference to a dream described within the first fifteen pages of the book, allowing the story to come full circle. The contest has spawned four books featuring selections from the contest entries. There isnt a particular line in the book that is bad, but every single line of dialogue is written accent and dialect. Now, with every one of my own books, i spend a lot of time on the first line, the first paragraph, the first page. The 2019 winners of the lyttle lytton contest, where people compete to write the worst first sentence in 25 words or less of the worst imaginary novel, like. Only dickens comes close, with the beginning of a tale of two cities. Here are 10 opening doozies, lines that make it difficult to continue reading. These first lines are inspired by analysis of some classic openers. The worst novel openings of 2019 have been revealed in the lyttle.
Young adult fiction for adults worst quoteslines youve. Create your worst first line and jillian will judge which one was the best worst. Sep 30, 2014 the american scholar presents a list of the ten worst opening lines in novels. I dont agree with all their choices, but i agree that most are awful enough to make me abandon the book after. See more ideas about books, childrens books and childrens literature.
She wasnt doing a thing that i could see, except standing there leaning on the balcony railing, holding t. Rate 5 stars rate 4 stars rate 3 stars rate 2 stars rate 1 star. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading from worst to first. Oct 29, 2010 another line that ive had about enough of is the gold on gray one from the elemental assassins novels. The first lines of novels set the tone for the story to come. This summers hottest books came with some unforgettable opening moments. Inspired by novelist and playwright edward george bulwerlyttons famous it was a dark and stormy night opener, the contest asks writers to submit an opening sentence for the worst of all possible novels although fifty shades. It should be mysterious and compelling, either poetic or shockingly abrupt.
Having that in mind, weve rounded up the first lines of some of the worlds most famous books, and they stand as excellent examples of how a short sentence or two can set the tone for an entire story and define its legacy for decades to come. The first line of a book can set the tone for the entire novel, but what if it. Since 1982 the bulwer lytton fiction contest has challenged man, woman, and very precocious child to write an atrocious opening sentence to a hypothetical bad novel. The 2019 winners of the lyttle lytton contest, where people.
The atlanta journalconstitution from worst to first is gordon bethunes story of continental airlines turnaround under his command. I dont agree with all their choices, but i agree that most are awful enough to make me abandon the book after reading the first sentence. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Scroll through each poignant piece of literary genius and most known book quotes below in our list. I figure the boys might want to use them on the show. The 15 best first lines in movie history screenrant. From worst to first outlines gordon bethunes triumphs. It was nice for about the first 2 times, but became waaaay repetitive about the 50th time around. A great first line will pull you in, introduce you to the narrator, and set the tone for the entire book. If youre unhappy with some of the choices other people have made for this list, go add the books to other more positive lists. We begin with edward bulwerlytton, who penned the most famous deadweight line. Jul 01, 2009 the best of the worst opening sentences. Aug 22, 2015 clever, intriguing first lines in picture that hook the reader.
By now, this line has become a truism, but in its day, it was a philosophical reflection on the subjectivity of history and human experience. Were honored to receive thousands of odious entries from around the world each year. Winners of worst opening lines in literature car talk. The best first lines from new novels meeting a new book is like meeting a new personthose initial few seconds can entrance you for the rest of your life. Every single one of these first lines should provide you with the energy to create some amazing stories. This line is so famous that when i first read a tale of two cities i was surprised to realize it came from a book. The 10 best first lines in fiction books the guardian. Jul 25, 20 maybe really my favorite first line is the first line of a portrait of the artist as a young man, which, for me, is the best line in the book, the way the best line of ulysses is the last. Aug 17, 2012 in fact, the line is so infamously bad that it is the inspiration for the bulwerlytton fiction contest blfc, an annual tongueincheek competition sponsored by the english department of san jose university, which announced its 2012 winners this week.
The lion symbolizes youth, strength, and hope for the old man, allowing the writer to end the novel on a positive note. The playfor which briony had designed the posters, programs and tickets, constructed the sales booth out of a folding screen tipped on its side, and lined the collection box in red crepe. The first line is the authors chance to make a first impression and to capture the imagination of the reader, and the very best books will keep the reader hooked from the first line to the very last line. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the. Heavyhanded rhymes and rhythms are going to be more apparent than plot holes etc. Our highly subjective list includes worst firsts from famous and infamous writers. Freewrite on the first one that grabs your interest. Word limit is 50 wordsand yes, ill be counting and there are prizes. I even tore out the first three pages of one of my favorite novels the poisonwood bible when i came to reread it. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. The first and last lines of iconic books, and what they. Oct 12, 2019 esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology.
Just make the first chapter relevant and well written. But the way he fills pages is the most boring thing ive read. Writers first line generator start your story with a. In other words you create, on purpose, a really bad opening line to a pretend novel. Whats an opening line that would keep you from reading to sentence 2.
It seems the worst in this book than the first two. Annual event will showcase successful songwriters performing the first and the worst songs they ever wrote. The writers first line generator will create an intriguing opening for your novel or short story. The american scholar presents a list of the ten worst opening lines in novels.
Esther lombardi is a veteran journalist who has written about literature, education, and technology. In our village, folks say god crumbles up the old moon into stars. Is it easier to spot a bad line of poetry than a bad line of prose. This infographic features 34 compelling first lines from some of the most famous books of all time. Not really a line, but the obsession with coffee the author had in the rangers apprentice series really got on my nerves. If you look closely, a lot of books show up on both the worst books of all time list and the best books ever lists. I cant decide if exit, pursued by a bear from shakespeares a winters tale is the greatest or the worst line ever written. Every year, the announcement of bulwerlytton prize is a gift from bad writing heaven. In about the fourth book on it talked about them having coffee every other paragraph and thinking about coffee in all the paragraphs in between. The first and last lines of iconic books, and what they reveal.
Maybe really my favorite first line is the first line of a portrait of the artist as a young man, which, for me, is the best line in the book, the way the best line of ulysses is the last. The bulwerlytton fiction contest awards its prize to the worst of the. Dec 02, 2011 the first line should tell the reader what to expect in terms of language, plot and character. I dont agree with all their choices, but i agree that most are. I always assumed the quote going on to talk about the age of wisdom and the age of foolishness, the epoch of belief and incredulity, the seasons of light and dark, and so on had two levels to it.
If a bookstore browser flips to the first page and reads the opening line, he or she should want to immediately sit down in the middle of the aisle and keep reading. There is a formula to compelling opening lines and it is about creating a story within a single line even if it is not the story that will ultimately be told. And when the story becomes a classic, the first line can sometimes become as famous as the novel itself, as the quotes below demonstrate. Search, watch, and cook every single tasty recipe and video ever all in one place. Depending on what youre reading, a great first line can be funny or meaningful or sad or somehow all of the above.
1301 763 1387 337 1555 39 443 1477 456 702 438 362 653 1165 85 755 1352 203 354 719 164 388 178 1162 1559 111 136 508 495 1242 885 781 1396 903 681 1078 554 825