most beautiful novel opening

[David Morris]

It's been about six years since I read MB, but I do think this is one
of the best opening paragraphs ever.

I was supposed to have read MB in high school (back in the mid-70's),
but I faked it instead with Cliff Notes (for shame!).  So I decided I
really needed to read it, and did so at the age of 43.  It was both
beautiful and frustrating for reason I'm sure we all know:  the long
pseudo-scientific sections are mostly a drag on the story, and
distract from the almost psychedelic metaphysical storyline.  I've
heard it said that Melville needed a good editor.  I think the same
could be said with Pynchon AtD.

David Morris

On Nov 9, 2007 11:27 AM,  <kelber at mindspring.com> wrote:
> I'm reading it now too!
>
> Laura
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Robert Mahnke <robert_mahnke at earthlink.net>
>
> >
> >I like the first paragraph of the book I'm reading right now:
> >
> >Call me Ishmael. Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off - then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but !
>  k!
> > new it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.
>
>
>