You've Got Five Pages, 48 Clues into the Disappearance of My Sister by Joyce Carol Oates, to Tell Me You're Good.

The first chapter can make or break a reader's engagement with a story. We as writers must craft brilliant opening pages in order to hook those picky readers, so let's study the stories of others to see how they do it! I'll be honest here, folks--After just a few pages, I felt exhausted reading Oates' 48 Clues into the Disappearance of My Sister. Oates takes a more experimental, non-linear narrative approach; while vivid, lush, and highly stylized, the prose also doubles back on itself again and again and again to the point you wonder if you'll ever move on from the observation of the first paragraph. Being Oates, I'm sure the story here will be powerful and engaging for those who enjoy this style of writing. However, if you're looking for a simple piece of escapism, this particular book is not for you. And what will you learn from these opening pages? Let's find out! Cheers!