Books That Have The Very Best Opening Lines Ever

A good opening line in a book can really grab the attention and there are some authors who really understand how to do this well. Here are three books which are contenders for having the very best opening lines of all time.

The Crow - Iain Banks

“It was the day my grandmother exploded”.

It’s hard to imagine what the book might be about based on that opening line, but it’s a tale about a family and its secrets. Spread over several generations, the story slowly reveals long-buried truths through a series of flashbacks and narration.

The Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka

“As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a giant insect.”

Printed in 1915, this is the granddaddy of modern fiction and is a novella that’s been studied in colleges and universities everywhere. As the opening sentence suggests, it follows the fate of the Gregor, a traveling salesman, who inexplicably wakes up to discover he has metamorphosed into a giant, repulsive insect. No further explanation is ever given on how this occurred, and the book follows Gregor as he attempts to adjust.

1984 - George Orwell

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

One of the most iconic books in history, 1984 has a subtly striking opening line. This sets the tone for the rest of the novel as it describes a dystopian future, with cleverly-written details scattered throughout. Big Brother watches over every tiny interaction, in a totalitarian regime that is harsh and all-encompassing. Let’s hope this isn’t what the future really holds!

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Three intriguing thrillers to look out for in 2019

If you’re the kind of reader who just loves a story that is packed with twists and turns and contains a healthy amount of intrigue, then you’re probably always on the lookout of for a good mystery thrillers. With many more new writers popping up all the time and established authors consistently churning out popular titles, there is always plenty of choice when it comes to this genre.

Here are just a few new mystery novels to look out for in 2019

Call Me Evie by JP Pomare

This is an absorbing thriller which is the debut novel from New Zealand author JP Pomare. His style has been likened to Gillian Flynn, the author of Gone Girl and Sharp Objects, so fans of Flynn may be interested in Call Me Evie.

It opens with the uncomfortable scenario of a 17-year-old girl called Kate being held in a remote cabin by a man called Bill. He insists of calling her Evie and is trying to get her to recall her life-altering actions on a night which cannot remember.

The Big Kahuna by Janet Evanovich and Peter Evanovich

The latest instalment in a series of novels by husband and wife team Janet and Peter Evanovich, The Big Kahuna follows the chalk-and-cheese investigative team of Kate O’Hare and Nicholas Fox as they probe the disappearance of a billionaire, whose moniker gives the book its title.

Metropolis by Philip Kerr

The man behind the Berlin Noir, Philip Kerr, who sadly died earlier this year, brings readers back to the start with this origin story of his detective character Bernie Gunther and his early days in the police force.

Discover more twists and turns with the great mystery books at www.vuify.com.