Something New for a Change
Every time my friends want to lend me books, I usually decline. Not because I don't love books but because I love them so much that I have too many on my list to read! When I go to my library to pick up my requests, I hardly ever peruse the shelves because of my problem mentioned above.
Well, one day I did. I picked up The Automobile Club of Egypt, written by Alaa Al Aswany. The slightly antiquated font of the title and the title itself on the spine caught my special attention.
The personal struggles of the characters and sociological struggles of Egypt hinted at in the synopsis sealed the deal. I brought it home and began to read...
The Most Captivating Prologue-Like Beginning I've Ever Read
The character we are introduced to at the beginning is the author himself. He leaves home and secludes himself at a condo at an empty resort, thousands of miles from civilization. He begins to overlook his novel until he hears the chilling reverberations of knocking at the front door.
He opens the door to find a man and a woman who announce he knows them very well. The author doesn't recall ever meeting them, but somehow he knows they're right. They then say they are his book characters come to tell him something of extreme importance.
Flustered, he asks them to stop wasting his time and to leave him in peace. They beseech him to listen, for he has poured out sweat and tears to bring them to life (as every author does for his characters).
The Missing Piece
Their mission—to enlighten him of their thoughts and feelings which he unintentionally left out of his work. Doesn't an author know his characters inside and out and flesh them out in completeness? Apparently not, in this case. They leave him a CD with their story and disappear into the desolate night.
He puts down his work and listens.... The novel itself is the true story of his characters.
Your Turn to Share
This introduction was the most original one I've ever read. It left me with a sense of wonder and a big smile on my face.
Which book introduction is the most interesting or compelling one you've ever read? Can't wait to hear about it!