Great Openings from classic fantasy

[Steerpike]

Your first sentence may well be the most important sentence in your entire novel. Here are some first sentences from well-known fantasy titles from Tolkien, onward. Which ones do you like best?

I like the opening to The Summer Tree, The Black Company, The Hobbit, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader the best. The Gunslinger is also good. None of them are bad, in my opinion (and none of the books on this list that I've read were bad, either).

Great Opening Sentences from Classic Fantasy Novels

[Jess A]

Intriguing and inspiring.

[psychotick]

Hi,

I can't remember many first lines at all. Those that I do aren't generally fantasy. For example there's a Tale of Two Cities - "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." And of course Hitchhikers - "Space is big, mind bogglingly big."

But maybe last lines are more important as they leave the reader thinking on what they've read - you hope. So from Shipwreck by Charles Logan there's - "And there on that rock by the edge of the sea, he died." And from Gone with the wind - "But tomorrow's another day."

Cheers, Greg.

Cheers, Greg.

[Claire]

These are great - I love reading the bit of commentary on each as well. Intriguing for sure!

[Ankari]

The Steel Remains is considered classical fantasy?

"One cannot raise walls against what has been forgotten."
— The Darkness That Comes Before, R. Scott Bakker

I don't think R. Scott Bakker can be considered classical either, but man, I love his writing. This guy has a rich world and his writing style is amazing.

"Lest anyone should suppose that I am a cuckoo's child, got on the wrong side of the blanket by lusty peasant stock and sold into indenture in a shortfallen season, I may say that I am House-born and reared in the Night Court proper, for all the good it did me."
— Kushiel's Dart, Jacqueline Carey

I don't know what the writer's definition of classical is, but I do agree that Jacqueline Carey's writing sucked me in with the first page. Her book was the first I read in FPOV. Amazing writer.

"There were prodigies and portents enough, One-Eye says. We must blame ourselves for misinterpreting them. One-Eye's handicap in no way impairs his marvelous hindsight."
— Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook

I read Glen Cook because Steven Erickson credits him with setting in motion the gears in his mind. After I read the first book I went on a quest to find all the Black Company books. And it was a quest as a lot of them were out of print. Thankfully a publishing company republished his book with amazing cover art. Anyone want to read the godfather of grit, pick this guy up.

"Kaiku was twenty harvests of age the first time she died."
— The Weavers of Saramyr, Chris Wooding

I never read this guy but, after reading the first sentence, it definitely belongs on the list. I want to read this book!

[Helleaven]

They're mostly very good, but for me the best is "Kaiku was twenty harvests of age the first time she died."

This thread made me wonder what are your opening sentences?

[Ireth]

This thread made me wonder what are your opening sentences?

Mine really aren't anything special, especially compared to the ones in the article. :/

Winter's Queen: "Vincent smiled and leaned on the frame of his front door, watching yet another cluster of trick-or-treaters hurry away down the steps."

Summer's Pawn: "Ariel sighed impatiently and ran a hand through her hair, leaning against the wall beside the bathroom door and calling out over the sound of running water in the sink."

Low Road: "The stack of dirty dishes wobbled dangerously in Ólan's hands, threatening to fall and shatter on the packed dirt floor."

Bellringer: "Diana gripped the thick, coarse rope tightly in both hands, planted her feet and hauled back with all her strength."

[Roc]

Those are really interesting to look at on their own.

I know "To Kill a Mockingbird" isn't a fantasy, but I think it had one of the best opening sentences I've ever seen. It wasn't too great at first glance, but after you've read the book, it makes perfect sense and wraps up perfectly.

[Jess A]

Those are really interesting to look at on their own.

I know "To Kill a Mockingbird" isn't a fantasy, but I think it had one of the best opening sentences I've ever seen. It wasn't too great at first glance, but after you've read the book, it makes perfect sense and wraps up perfectly.

I adore that book.

----

Does anyone else skim-read the first few pages when they pick up a book? For me, the first line is not the only important thing. I have a terrible habit of skipping to the middle of the book, too.

[Helleaven]

Mine really aren't anything special, especially compared to the ones in the article. :/

Winter's Queen: "Vincent smiled and leaned on the frame of his front door, watching yet another cluster of trick-or-treaters hurry away down the steps."

Summer's Pawn: "Ariel sighed impatiently and ran a hand through her hair, leaning against the wall beside the bathroom door and calling out over the sound of running water in the sink."

Low Road: "The stack of dirty dishes wobbled dangerously in Ólan's hands, threatening to fall and shatter on the packed dirt floor."

Bellringer: "Diana gripped the thick, coarse rope tightly in both hands, planted her feet and hauled back with all her strength."

Actually I think they're really good! I like the names of the books either! Seeing this topic made me realize that I should reconsider my opening sentence, bu yours are just fine in my opinion