58 Years Later, The Greatest Opening Line In Fantasy Still Has No Equal

The fantasy genre has no shortage of iconic works that have become mainstays in contemporary culture, transporting generations of readers into worlds packed with magic, monsters, and unforgettable heroes. J.R.R. Tolkien helped establish the blueprint for modern fantasy with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, both of which immediately draw readers into Middle-earth through opening lines that feel simultaneously welcoming and mysterious.