I'd keep reading, but I'd also be disappointed and displeased to find I'd been mislead by the opening (from what Ray says). A writer needs to be careful in making promises in the opening of a novel. In that position of prominence, readers will take what the writer says as important. If it misleads, they may not be pleased.
I did something similar in my novel (out in July Hurrah!) Warrior's Duty and had to write a new opening. The opening seemed romantic, but the novel isn't. I got some severe feedback but learned from it. :-)
Interesting though and I think the changes to make the situation at least not seeming like it is something other than it is (that he's the last man mainly) would be pretty easily made.
I'd keep reading, but I'd also be disappointed and displeased to find I'd been mislead by the opening (from what Ray says). A writer needs to be careful in making promises in the opening of a novel. In that position of prominence, readers will take what the writer says as important. If it misleads, they may not be pleased.
I did something similar in my novel (out in July Hurrah!) Warrior's Duty and had to write a new opening. The opening seemed romantic, but the novel isn't. I got some severe feedback but learned from it. :-)
Interesting though and I think the changes to make the situation at least not seeming like it is something other than it is (that he's the last man mainly) would be pretty easily made.