This is a 10/10 introduction.

Set the scene. Cut to the chase. Make your story irresistible my bringing it to life.

Keep this next to you next time you write a story.
The book is called Shantaram. Thanks for the recommendation, @EricJorgenson.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shantaram_(novel)
My favorite opening sentences:

∙ “Every time I see it, that number blows my mind."

∙ "I wanted to strangle mother but I’d have to touch her to do it."

∙ "Two times, I've woken up to an intruder breaking into my home after midnight (years apart and in different states)."
This is a good one too.

"From November 2003 through July 2005, I worked in the prepaid cell phone and phone card industry. Most of my work was in BFE meth towns and urban ghettoes. I learned things about the poor in this country that most of you wouldn't believe."
Your introductory sentence should do two things:

1) Introduce an action or a personality the reader needs to learn more about.

2) Add intrigue by making it unusual, shocking, or surprising.

Introduce action, conflict, or curiosity so your readers want to keep reading.
Examples of good hooks:

∙ Half-told story: Share the start of a story, but withhold the end.

∙ Discoveries: Reveal new findings, but only a portion.

∙ Questions: Pose a question, but don’t give the answer.

∙ Arguments: Present your case, but not how you arrived at it.
You can follow @david_perell.
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