“First sentences are doors to worlds.”
Opening lines have the power to captivate readers and set the scene for an unforgettable story. Some first sentences are so iconic that they stick with us long after we’ve closed the book. In this Guess the Book game, we here at What We Reading are challenging you to identify famous novels solely from their opening lines! Whether you’re a book lover, a literary trivia enthusiast, or simply love a good quiz, this post is perfect for you. Put your knowledge of memorable first lines to the test and discover which books start with the most compelling sentences in the literary world. From the classic to the contemporary, these book opening lines are sure to keep you guessing, so make sure you read carefully and see how many you can correctly identify! Ready to dive in? Let’s see how well you know your books!
The Challenge: Can You Guess These Book Opening Lines?
1. “Call me Ishmael.”
Simple and direct, this opening line has intrigued readers for generations. Are you able to guess which classic novel it’s from?
2. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
A famous line from a tale of two cities. But, which novel is it the beginning of?
3. “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
A striking line that introduces a complex narrative. Which novel starts with this famous line?
4. “The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new.”
This opening captures an era’s disillusionment. Do you recognise which contemporary story starts like this?
5. “There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.’
A humorous start to a beloved fantasy tale. Can you the name book from this opening line?
6. “It was a pleasure to burn.”
This chilling start to a dystopian classic might ring a bell. Do you know which book it is from?
7. “The story so far: In the beginning, the universe was created.”
A funny and philosophical opening from one of the most unique science fiction novels. But, which one?
8. “The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door.”
A chilling and haunting simple line that sets the stage for a post-apocalyptic story. Can you name the book?
9. “Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday. I don’t know.”
This book’s opening line is as stark as it is unforgettable. Which novel does it belong to?
10. “It was a dark and stormy night.”
This iconic and often parodied opening still has its place in literary history. Do you know which novel it starts?
Can you guess which books these are? Comment below!
Clues: Need A Hint?
If you’re feeling stumped, don’t worry! Here are some subtle hints to help you along the way. See if they help you decipher the book from the opening line.
1. “Call me Ishmael.”
Hint: This classic novel explores themes of obsession and revenge. The author is known for his sea adventures.
2. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Hint: Written by a famous English author, this novel is set during the French Revolution.
3. “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
Hint: This novel is often considered one of the finest pieces of Russian literature.
4. “The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new.”
Hint: The novelist of this book is known for his dark humour and reflections on post-war Britain.
5. “There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.’
Hint: This is part of a popular fantasy series set in a magical realm known as Narnia.
6. “It was a pleasure to burn.”
Hint: Written by an American novelist, this dystopian novel critiques censorship and government control.
7. “The story so far: In the beginning, the universe was created.”
Hint: This science fiction comedy blends absurdity with philosophical reflections, written by a British author.
8. “The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door.”
Hint: A post-apocalyptic book written by an American author known for his expiration of isolation and survival.
9. “Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday. I don’t know.”
Hint: Penned by a French-Algerian author, this novel is a stark portrait of existential themes.
10. “It was a dark and stormy night.”
Hint: This famous opening line has often been parodied, but it’s originally from a nineteenth-century novel filled with gothic elements.
Answers: How Many Did You Get Right?
Now, let’s see how well you did! Check out the answers below and discover a bit more about each of these iconic opening lines.
1. “Call me Ishmael.”
Answer: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
This iconic opening line belongs to one of the most famous American novels. Moby-Dick is a tale of obsession, revenge and the vast, unforgiving ocean. Melville’s classic explores the dark side of human nature and the relentless pursuit of a whale that embodies both destruction and obsession.
Fun Fact: Moby-Dick was never appreciated during Melville’s lifetime, but has nevertheless become a masterpiece of American literature in the years since.
2. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Answer: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
This famous first line opens Dickens’ historical novel set during the French Revolution. It’s a tale of sacrifice, love and revolution, with characters whose fates intertwine against the backdrop of revolutionary Paris and London.
Fun Fact: Dickens wrote the novel during a time when he was deeply concerned about social issues, namely class divisions.
3. “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
Answer: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
A stark opening to a masterpiece in Russian literature, Anna Karenina examines love, fidelity and social norms, following the tragic love story of Anna and her affair with Count Vronsky.
Fun Fact: The novel is infamous for its deep psychological exploration of its characters, and it is often regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written.
4. “The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new.”
Answer: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
A darkly humorous opening to a satirical take on the Second World War, Catch-22 explores the absurdity of war, following Captain Yossarian as he attempts to escape the madness of military life.
Fun Fact: The term ‘Catch-22’ entered the English language as a phrase to describe a no-win scenario, thanks to Heller’s book.
5. “There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.’
Answer: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
This opening line belongs to the third book in The Chronicles of Narnia series. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader follows Lucy, Edmund and their cousin Eustace on a magical journey across the seas of Narnia.
Fun Fact: Eustace’s transformation into a dragon is one of the most memorable scenes in the Narnia series, symbolising the possibilities of redemption.
6. “It was a pleasure to burn.”
Answer: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
This chilling opening belongs to Bradbury’s dystopian novel about a future society where books are burned and ‘firemen’ burn them. Fahrenheit 451 explores themes of censorship, conformity and the role of books in a society’s survival.
Fun Fact: The title Fahrenheit 451 refers to the temperature at which book paper supposedly catches fire and burns.
Check Out The Best Books Like Fahrenheit 451
7. “The story so far: In the beginning, the universe was created.”
Answer: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
This is the opening line to a beloved sci-fi comedy that mixes absurdity, philosophy and adventure. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy follows Arthur Dent, as he travels through space with a ragtag group of characters.
Fun Fact: This book began life as a radio play before becoming the first novel in Adams’ iconic series.
8. “The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door.”
Answer: I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
This gripping novel opens the door to a post-apocalyptic world where the sole human survivor, Robert Neville, battles against a world overrun by vampires.
Fun Fact: I Am Legend has been adapted into several films, including the 2007 movie starring Will Smith.
9. “Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday. I don’t know.”
Answer: The Stranger by Albert Camus
This existential classic opens with a character’s indifferent response to his mother’s death. The Stranger explores themes of absurdism and the alienation of modern life, centring on the protagonist Meursault’s detached worldview.
Fun Fact: The Stranger is a key work in the philosophy of absurdism, and Camus is often associated with the idea that life is inherently meaningless.
10. “It was a dark and stormy night.”
Answer: Paul Clifford by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
While often parodied, this book opening line originally comes from Bulwer-Lytton’s Paul Clifford, a Victorian melodrama. It is widely considered one of the most famous opening lines in English literature, despite being known for its over-the-top style.
Fun Fact: This opening line inspired the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, an annual competition for the worst opening sentence in a novel.
Wrap Up
Well, that was fun, right? Whether you got them all right or missed a few, we hope you enjoyed the challenge of guessing the books from their opening lines. The power of a great opening line is that it can instantly draw readers in, setting the tone for the entire story ahead. If you found yourself intrigued by any of the books featured, why not dive in and explore them further?
Did you manage to guess all the titles? Or perhaps you unearthed a new book to add to your reading list. Either way, we’d love to hear from you! Let us know your score in the comments below or share your favourite opening lines from other books you love!
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
