This book investigates the fundamental distinction between natural beginnings and the constructed, artistic openings employed by poets and novelists throughout literary history. A. D. Nuttall, a distinguished scholar of English literature, examines how authors navigate the tension between the perceived continuity of events and the deliberate act of starting a narrative. By analyzing the evolution of the epic tradition and the subsequent development of the novel, Nuttall argues that while history may lack definitive starting points, the literary imagination possesses the unique freedom to initiate stories at any chosen moment.

Scholars and students of literary theory frequently cite this work for its insightful exploration of narrative structure and the evolution of the epic form. Experts highlight the text as a sophisticated contribution to the study of poetics, noting its ability to bridge the gap between classical tradition and modern novelistic practice.