Game Changer

“You’re not going to believe me.”

The opening sentence of Game Changer introduces information about the narrator and tone of the story. The novel is narrated by Ash, the protagonist, in the first person, and he occasionally addresses the reader directly from a more recent, mature perspective. This approach creates anticipation and suspense and enables foreshadowing of significant plot points.

“That’s what we do, isn’t it? Build ourselves a comfy web of reality like busy little spiders, and cling to it so we can get through the worst of days.”

Ash’s comment foreshadows that the narrative explores existential questions about the nature of reality, identity, and morality. It also creates a sense of ominousness and anticipation by suggesting that reality is a matter of perception and, more so, that this perception is fragile.

“Although this story begins and ends with football, it’s the stuff in between that matters. The mystery meat in the sandwich you’ve already been warned you won’t be able to swallow, much less digest. Drink milk, it’ll calm your stomach.”

This passage introduces the recurring motif of football. The sandwich metaphor incorporates humor, which is true to Ash’s voice and character, while creating suspense about the upcoming events of the story. It also frames the structure of the novel as a loop that “begins and ends with football,” albeit while encouraging the reader to pay attention to the plot and character developments that contain the story’s main message.