Book Anatomy: Ask the book now sits at the top of every book, with example questions · Ask any classic book about the craft that made it great · 50 tools · Updated 16 Oct 2026 · My list

Book Anatomy · All lenses

F1. First line and first paragraph: what each does. Both

Openings and endings. One line per book. Open a book for the full answer, charts and cited lines.

BookGenreResult
Treasure IslandThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 8 words and 1 sentences.
The Thirty-Nine StepsThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 117 words and 6 sentences.
The Prisoner of ZendaThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 8 words and 1 sentences.
Around the World in Eighty DaysThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 17 words and 1 sentences.
King Solomon's MinesThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 241 words and 11 sentences.
The Hound of the BaskervillesCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 124 words and 7 sentences.
A Study in ScarletCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 127 words and 5 sentences.
The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 208 words and 11 sentences.
The MoonstoneCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 12 words and 1 sentences.
The Woman in WhiteCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 45 words and 2 sentences.
Pride and PrejudiceRomanceThe first full paragraph runs to 23 words and 1 sentences.
PersuasionRomanceThe first full paragraph runs to 113 words and 2 sentences.
EmmaRomanceThe first full paragraph runs to 41 words and 1 sentences.
Jane EyreRomanceThe first full paragraph runs to 62 words and 3 sentences.
DraculaGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 116 words and 6 sentences.
FrankensteinGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 49 words and 2 sentences.
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 225 words and 8 sentences.
The Picture of Dorian GrayGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 45 words and 1 sentences.
Wuthering HeightsGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 116 words and 7 sentences.
The Turn of the ScrewGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 330 words and 9 sentences.
The Time MachineScience fictionThe first full paragraph runs to 131 words and 5 sentences.
The War of the WorldsScience fictionThe first full paragraph runs to 231 words and 8 sentences.
The Invisible ManScience fictionThe first full paragraph runs to 169 words and 8 sentences.
Alice's Adventures in WonderlandFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 57 words and 1 sentences.
The Wonderful Wizard of OzFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 165 words and 6 sentences.
The Secret GardenFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 333 words and 10 sentences.
The Wind in the WillowsFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 228 words and 7 sentences.
Great ExpectationsLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 37 words and 2 sentences.
A Christmas CarolLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 59 words and 5 sentences.
The Great GatsbyLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 23 words and 1 sentences.
Heart of DarknessLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 51 words and 2 sentences.
KidnappedThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 97 words and 2 sentences.
The Count of Monte CristoThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 25 words and 1 sentences.
The Three MusketeersThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 108 words and 2 sentences.
The Riddle of the SandsThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 663 words and 18 sentences.
The Scarlet PimpernelThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 74 words and 2 sentences.
The Lost WorldThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 99 words and 4 sentences.
Captain BloodThriller and adventureThe first full paragraph runs to 32 words and 1 sentences.
Lady Audley's SecretCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 71 words and 1 sentences.
The Murders in the Rue MorgueCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 24 words and 1 sentences.
The Innocence of Father BrownCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 47 words and 1 sentences.
The Big Bow MysteryCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 115 words and 6 sentences.
The Leavenworth CaseCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 15 words and 1 sentences.
The Red Thumb MarkCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 92 words and 4 sentences.
The Amateur CracksmanCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 89 words and 6 sentences.
The Secret AgentCrime and mysteryThe first full paragraph runs to 60 words and 4 sentences.
Sense and SensibilityRomanceThe first full paragraph runs to 209 words and 9 sentences.
North and SouthRomanceThe first full paragraph runs to 267 words and 6 sentences.
Far from the Madding CrowdRomanceThe first full paragraph runs to 47 words and 1 sentences.
The Enchanted AprilRomanceThe first full paragraph runs to 58 words and 2 sentences.
The SheikRomanceThe first full paragraph runs to 10 words and 1 sentences.
Daddy Long LegsRomanceThe first full paragraph runs to 75 words and 3 sentences.
CarmillaGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 96 words and 6 sentences.
The Castle of OtrantoGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 99 words and 3 sentences.
The Phantom of the OperaGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 144 words and 6 sentences.
The Great God PanGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 18 words and 2 sentences.
The Yellow WallpaperGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 18 words and 1 sentences.
The Call of CthulhuGothic and horrorThe first full paragraph runs to 27 words and 2 sentences.
The Island of Doctor MoreauScience fictionThe first full paragraph runs to 127 words and 7 sentences.
Journey to the Centre of the EarthScience fictionThe first full paragraph runs to 41 words and 2 sentences.
A Princess of MarsScience fictionThe first full paragraph runs to 143 words and 5 sentences.
HerlandScience fictionThe first full paragraph runs to 80 words and 4 sentences.
FlatlandScience fictionThe first full paragraph runs to 29 words and 1 sentences.
ErewhonScience fictionThe first full paragraph runs to 86 words and 2 sentences.
The Last ManScience fictionThe first full paragraph runs to 203 words and 5 sentences.
Through the Looking GlassFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 62 words and 2 sentences.
A Little PrincessFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 26 words and 1 sentences.
The Jungle BookFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 46 words and 3 sentences.
Five Children and ItFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 105 words and 2 sentences.
The Railway ChildrenFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 98 words and 3 sentences.
The Princess and the GoblinFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 8 words and 1 sentences.
Peter and WendyFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 108 words and 8 sentences.
The Worm OuroborosFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 9 words and 1 sentences.
Anne of Green GablesFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 194 words and 8 sentences.
Black BeautyFantasy and children'sThe first full paragraph runs to 91 words and 3 sentences.
MiddlemarchLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 192 words and 6 sentences.
Tess of the d'UrbervillesLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 135 words and 5 sentences.
Mrs DallowayLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 24 words and 2 sentences.
To the LighthouseLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 21 words and 3 sentences.
Anna KareninaLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 14 words and 1 sentences.
Crime and PunishmentLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 33 words and 2 sentences.
Madame BovaryLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 46 words and 2 sentences.
The Age of InnocenceLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 22 words and 1 sentences.
Silas MarnerLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 462 words and 8 sentences.
Adventures of Huckleberry FinnLiteraryThe first full paragraph runs to 10 words and 1 sentences.
HamletPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 97 words and 9 sentences.
MacbethPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 64 words and 22 sentences.
Romeo and JulietPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 22 words and 7 sentences.
OthelloPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 4 words and 1 sentences.
A Midsummer Night's DreamPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 29 words and 1 sentences.
Twelfth NightPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 11 words and 1 sentences.
Doctor FaustusPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 9 words and 1 sentences.
The Importance of Being EarnestPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 27 words and 3 sentences.
A Doll's HousePlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 137 words and 9 sentences.
Hedda GablerPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 264 words and 16 sentences.
PygmalionPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 80 words and 6 sentences.
The School for ScandalPlaysThe first full paragraph runs to 12 words and 1 sentences.
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