Reposted from the Barnes & Noble Book Blog:
Few first lines in fiction herald as much sheer storytelling delight as:
“He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.”
―Rafael Sabatini, Scaramouche
Or promise as much adventure in so few syllables as:
“Lymond is back.”
–Dorothy Dunnett, The Game of Kings
The swashbuckling hero is always extraordinarily gifted.
“It was one of Diego Alatriste’s virtues that he could make friends in Hell.”
―Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Captain Alatriste
He is also discerning.
“Never trust a man who reads only one book.”
―Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Purity of Blood
And accomplished.
“She had them taught Latin, French, philosophy and rhetoric, hunting, hawking, riding and archery, and the art of killing neatly with the sword.”
–Dorothy Dunnett, The Game of Kings
He is frequently a chameleon.
“I’ve been a Danish prince, a Texas slave-dealer, an Arab sheik, a Cheyenne Dog Soldier, and a Yankee navy lieutenant in my time, among other things, and none of ‘em was as hard to sustain as my lifetime’s impersonation of a British officer and gentleman.”
―George MacDonald Fraser, Flashman in the Great Game
It is generally a poor idea to cross him:
“How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure.”
–Alexander Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
He is frequently introduced in trying circumstances:
“The Frenchman beside me had been dead since dawn. His scarred and shackled body swayed limply back and forth with every sweep of the great oar as we, his less fortunate bench-fellows, tugged and strained to keep time to the stroke.”
―Jeffery Farnol, Black Bartlemy’s Treasure
And occasionally tries the patience of others:
“I wish to God,” said Gideon with mild exasperation, “that you’d talk—just once—in prose like other people.”
―Dorothy Dunnett, The Game of Kings
He is passionate in love:
“Within six months, if I am not dead, I shall have seen you again, madam—even if I have to overturn the world.”
―Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers
And merciless in revenge:
“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.”
―William Goldman, The Princess Bride
But never poorly dressed.
“For my part, if a man must needs be a knave I would have him a debonair knave…It makes your sin no worse as I conceive, to do it à la mode and stylishly.”
―Anthony Hope, The Prisoner of Zenda