I’m trying to think of any books that start with a chapter or snippet or something about the END of the book at the very beginning, you know, you have an idea of how something ends but you read the book to hear the whole story? I’m drawing a blank.
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Thanks. I’m probably the only person in the world who hasn’t read it.
I JUST read it myself. My neighbor twisted my arm and got me sucked in. 🙂
I feel like Robert Cormier does this quite a bit– In The Chocolate War “They killed him” (It isn’t very much of a sneak peek, but it does tell you what happens) and I Am the Cheese, although you aren’t quite sure you’re reading about the end until you get to the actual end.
Incidentally, I just saw the new movie “Michael Clayton” and it is structured this way.
Oh, good point on Cormier. His books are on the shelf to check out at home. Thanks.
And good to know on the movie too.
It isn’t a children’s or YA book, but Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” starts with a murder that occurs near the end of the book.
ooh – thank you.
Does “Inexcusable” by Chris Lynch count?
Also, I haven’t read it for a few years, but I think “The First Part Last” by Angela Johnson was like that. Well, in that one it went back and forth between “then” and “now”, so maybe it’s not quite what you had in mind.
I was going to mention Inexcusable. Much as I wanted to throw myself into a vat of Purell upon finishing the book, I must admit that narrative technique worked well for what he was doing.
LOL. I know what you mean. I usually end up throwing a Chris Lynch book across the room at some time or another while reading it.
They’re so throwable, aren’t they? 🙂
oh, I have both of those on the shelf to check too. Thanks.
The alternating times might be interesting to look at too.
My current wip 🙂 Sorry if that doesn’t help! Hope all is well, good to see you back posting!
LOL – well hurry up and get that WIP done and published, will ya?
Thanks. It’s nice to be back. Amazing how much you can miss this sort of connection, isn’t it? Well, I don’t have many in person connections so y’all count for a lot.
Jo Knowles’ newly released Lessons from a Dead Girl does just that!
oohh– one more reason to be anxious for it to arrive. Thanks.
Edward’s Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan does this but I’m not sure how well it works. (This feels like blasphemy!) I found myself really confused by the opening, instead of sucked in.
Oh wow! I say that for you, not me. I JUST read this book last week and I already forgot that part. And actually, I can agree with you. I am a HUGE fan of PM but that one didn’t do it for me.
Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick.
Oh thanks for this. Another one on the shelf.
Bel Canto, an adult book about a hostage situation lets you know, right from the beginning, (eek … it’s been years so I might not have this completely right) that none of the hostage dies. The thing I especially like about learning that so early was it gave me time to enjoy the writing instead of rushing through just to find out who survived.
Thank you for this one. I’ve never heard of it but it sounds like one to read.
Jay Ashers “Thirteen Reasons Why”
It is out October 17th!
Another one I am anxiously waiting for to appear on my doorstep.
I got a sneak peek at this one. OMG! I loved it my son loved it and all his friends are begging to borrow it. =)
My second World War novel, A Foreign Field, does just this.
Thank you!
Sweet Revenge by Nora Roberts
Thanks!
Don’t forget Gail Giles, Shattering Glass.
duh! Another one I have already on the shelf. thanks!
This isn’t quite what you’re looking for, but I just wanted to mention David LaRochelle’s newest PB entitled “The End” which begins with “And they lived happily ever after” and then the story works its way back to the beginning. It’s very clever!
Wow. That sounds very clever. I’m going to have to check it out. Thanks.
Fight Club starts off pretty much right at the end confrontation, and then goes back to start at the beginning.
A book that starts with the end
Hi! I am new to your site–I am a former media specialist and children’s librarian. I am a stay at home mom now–but I did just read a GREAT book to a preschool class entitled THE APPLE PIE THAT PAPA BAKED! Julie B.
It’s been lots of rain in Massachusetts, and in my challenging quest to find a dvd both me and my husband might enjoy (we’re the classic I love girls talking and he loves guys blowing things up) I checked out Breach. (sorry for a movie analagy, but it’s right there in front of me — I, too, immediately thought of Cormier). You know both from the cover and the first instant of the movie that this intelligence guy is caught for being a spy. Yet it’s tense enough I was killing my husband’s hand.
Stephen King’s CARRIE