The way you begin your story matters. It determines the attention you derive from your audience henceforth. Some writers hook the readers with murder, while others immerse them with descriptive worlds. Each setup has a certain aesthetic, an emotion that it focuses on manifesting.
However, there is a certain book that is creating all the buzz in fiction. Let’s deep dive into Wessam Eldein’s book, The Quiz, and see what all the fuss is about.
The Beginning of the End
That’s right. The book begins with the end from the get-go. The year March 19, 2035, in Los Angeles, California, at 10:10 pm precisely. We are introduced to our protagonist in the story, John Carter, who is telling us, the audience, that he is indeed one of the oldest humans living on Earth.
As the scene progresses, we hear a voice from the television congratulating Carter for the feat, and he is granted free and endless resources…
Something to be pretty happy about, right?
By the end of the chapter, John Carter introduces himself, giving an ultimatum of 24 hours before he kills himself at the age of 40, and—bam. The screen cuts to black.
Curiosity
This setup brings a sense of overwhelming curiosity to the reader. The irony of Carter ending his life after being the oldest individual on earth in 2035 is very peculiar. What drove him to suicide even after a remarkable achievement?
However, the truth seems to be grimmer than we are led to believe. 2035 isn’t very far away; 40 isn’t exactly a very ripe age.
What exactly happened to humanity as a whole that led up to this point?
This notion alone is what makes the book such a page-turner.
Worldbuilding
It is essential for the writer to give the readers a teaser of what is to come in the book with the setup. This gives them an opportunity to show off their best writing in the very first chapter. Wessam Eldein demonstrates his talents with flying colors.
We feel unsettled being sent to a world that has clearly been through a lot. There is a sadness from the very beginning that something is going terribly wrong. The beauty of Wessam’s talent is that he delivers these emotions very subtly. Less is more when it comes to compelling writing, and Eldein seems to understand the assignment!
The Quiz
All in all, by the end of the chapter, we are left with more questions than answers. Wessam has our attention and has us asking where this will be heading. The more questions the reader asks, the more the writer knows he has their attention.
The Quiz is peppered with mind-bending questions that send the reader on a multiversal journey. Find the answers to your burning questions and the truth behind Carter’s attempt at suicide by picking up The Quiz, now available on Amazon.
