My favorite opening line (from memory) would be C.S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: “Once there was a boy named Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.”
I've heard the line, but don't know anything about "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." What a great name for a book!
Grok says: "Why it works: This line immediately grabs attention with its wry humor and sharp characterization. By introducing Eustace with a playful jab at his unfortunate name and personality, Lewis sets a lighthearted yet adventurous tone, hinting at the transformative journey ahead in the Narnian seas."
C.S Lewis
The Screwtape Letters has a line—IIRC;
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“Why does the Enemy take such interest in this thing conceived in a bed?”
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My contribution.
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Correction appreciated.