Celebrating Book Openings #5: “1984” by George Orwell

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

~ 1984, by George Orwell, 1903 – 1950

Having featured Wifedom: The Invisible Life of Mrs Orwell on Monday 16, I had to feature the opening line from George Orwell’s 1984 as my next opening line.

I believe it may be among the most famous opening lines in English literature. It’s also exceedingly powerful, simultaneously grounding the reader in the reality of a “bright cold day in April”, with all the hope that spring month implies, and striking the discordant — yet also intriguing — note of clocks sounding a thirteenth hour.

Are we hooked? Yes, I believe we definitely are. Is it genius? Again, I think that’s a yes.