54 great opening lines: 14

When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.

The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton

*****

Yesterday’s great opening line (no. 13) was the same as the book’s title.  Today’s opening line of The Outsiders is the same as its last line:  ‘When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind:  Paul Newman and a ride home…’

I’ve just read this novel because I have to teach it, but it was no effort.  All through the book I kept thinking about the author penning the manuscript at 16 years of age.  A born writer.