BEGINNING, MIDDLE, AND END

The basics of narrative structure tell their own tale.

This lighthearted story hinges on its protagonists breaking the fourth wall. On the very first page, Beginning, a friendly square, greets readers and offers familiar examples of famous beginnings. Middle, a slightly sassy rectangle, jumps in to start the action, a bit too soon for Beginning’s liking. Their arguing awakens End, a grouchy triangle with a shock of green hair. Fed up, End angrily departs (via a humorously labeled “plot hole”). Beginning and Middle are in a pickle—they can’t finish their job alone! An infinitely paged, literally endless book stretches out to the horizon line, conveying their conflict. But the solution is surprisingly simple: A second “plot hole” helps them reach a satisfying resolution. As a tool for introducing story elements, Burgerman’s work gets straight to the point and makes its points clearly. Aesthetically, it’s less successful. The illustrations feel like an afterthought, with slapdash, stick figure–like characters interacting on chaotically laid out backdrops that frequently shift in hue, making for a visually discordant tale.

A useful guide to storytelling that falters in design.