List of first lines of famous literary works

Written by

René Ostberg

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 7, 2026 •History

“Utility ought to be the principal intention of every publication.” So reads the first line in the preface of the first edition (1768) of the Encyclopædia Britannica. The opening line of a work may be the most important sentence an author writes. Hook your readers at the outset or risk losing their interest, no matter how good the rest of the story is. Assuming we still have your attention, read on to discover the first...