Anthony Burghess

Today I bought The Kingdom of the Wicked. I almost didn't because my only concept of Burghess is entirely from Kubrick's film based on his novel A Clockwork Orange. But I wanted to read something he had written as ACO is one of my favorite films. So I bought it.

I regret it already. The very first paragraph is the author talking to you. It feels preachy and insinuates you are too un-cool to get him. I'm hoping the novel will redeem itself later on.

But this goes to show how important beginnings are. If this book had been full retail price, I wouldn't have bought it. I would have opened it up and read that first paragraphy and perhaps never attempted a read of anything Burghess wrote. I know many people whose opinions I respect who insist he is a brilliant author. Still, I might never have known this if I had read that first paragraph before going to the till.

Beginnings prove to be everything.

So I've decided to start keeping track of books with good beginnings, to do a bit of personal research, and to see if I can cut the mustard with my own beginnings. Otherwise, my career as a writer might end before it ever umm, well you know.