The Badge of Literature
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
On the Opening Sentences of Novels
Think of a book you have recently read or that has stayed with you for a long time. Can you remember the opening sentence? How many other novels can you remember the opening sentence of? Opening sentences quietly open a door for us readers, drawing us in without us realising it. They are like miniature replicas of the structure of the entire work and often serve as a kind of summary. They can transform the reader from a passive observer into an active interpreter. So, how do they achieve this? Let's explore this together by examining the opening sentences of some well-known works.
A good opening sentence captivates the reader and possesses a strange power. While it may instantly grab some readers, it draws others in more gradually. It can conceal and hint at what it intends to convey. It can be just as striking as the closing sentence, though this may not be apparent at first. Returning to the beginning of a book after finishing it can provide a deeper understanding of what we have read. If you like, you can try this right now and observe this phenomenon for yourself.
If we think about it, these sentences fulfil certain key functions beautifully. In this article, I will discuss three fundamental functions: establishing the author’s tone, arousing the reader’s curiosity, and building the world of the work.
Tone is the essence of the relationship and distance that the author establishes with the reader. This distance can be warm or cold, and the tone can be sarcastic, solemn, or inviting. It is usually directly linked to the book’s overall content and the main character’s personality.
Let us consider a well-known example. Do you remember the opening sentence of Albert Camus’ “The Stranger”? Spoken by the main character, it goes: “Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday; I can't be sure.”
Upon closer inspection, we see that the sentence conveys an extremely detached and almost formal tone. There is no dramatic emphasis or expression of grief. From this opening sentence, Camus informs the reader that the novel will depict not emotions, but their absence, alongside existential alienation. The brevity and coldness of this opening sentence set the tone for the entire novel. As readers, we inevitably ask ourselves, “Will I be able to empathise with this character?” And that is precisely what Camus intends.
Now, let's turn to the matter at hand. This function is particularly effective because it sows seeds of doubt and curiosity in the reader’s mind, creating a desire to read on.
A classic example of this can be found in the opening sentence of Kafka's novel “The Metamorphosis”: “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.”
On first reading, we notice that this extraordinary event is described in an extremely matter-of-fact and calm manner. This contradiction immediately raises questions: 'How is that possible? Why?' and, most importantly, “What will happen now?” By presenting an absurd situation as ordinary, Kafka draws the reader into the book from the first sentence, successfully.
Finally, let's talk about how to develop the setting, atmosphere and universe of a piece of work.
Let's start with a direct example. The opening line of Gabriel García Márquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” is famous: “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.”
This single sentence encompasses time, memory and fate. Although we haven't met any characters yet and don't know why he is standing there or what the ice is for, we can sense the atmosphere. However, as we read on, we realise that it is not as complex as it first appears. From the outset, we realise that the author is inviting us into his created world.
As readers, we begin to read the book in accordance with the atmosphere created by that opening sentence. This technique is frequently used, particularly in fantasy and science fiction. It provides the perfect escape from reality.
In conclusion, an effective opening sentence encapsulates the essence of a book, by offering a brief summary without giving everything away. The best ones reveal just enough while retaining an air of mystery. They prompt us to ask questions and interpret what we read. This is precisely why they are unforgettable. Is there an opening sentence that has never left your mind?
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