Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

[dimitrovb]

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession
of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his
first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds
of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property
of some one or other of their daughters."
~1813

A classic sounding beginning as I read it in my head. The paragraph gives a good picture of the setting and adding to the problematics of the story at the same time. I usually like strories putting you right into the characters' actions more than those beginning with a long description of the setting.
If I had to rate this first paragraph, leaving out the rest of the stroy, I would give it 5 out of 5.
Other impressionson the paragraph?

[sUpErUsEr]

I also rated this one 5 stars! Great writing by Jane Austen.

[Shahid]

Don't you think that the Jane Austin was more than something like Doctor of Family Structure of her age. She explains every character of the household for you with an unmistakable precision. Just look at this paragraph; there is a single man in possession of good fortune and every mother around wants him to be her son-in-law. Perhaps the best explanation of the term " the Most Eligible Bachelor."

[iceiscool]

The first paragraph already excites me a lot. I could already see the nature of suspense that surrounds the story. 5 of 5 from me!