most beautiful novel opening

[rich]

Howdy--

Read the intro to Suttree, the italicized, brooding cornocopia that is
Knoxville at dawn

'Ruder forms survive'

breathtaking, foax

definite plan for this weekend--see the movie version No Country for Old Men
rich

On Nov 9, 2007 3:17 PM, David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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 bu!
>  t !
> >  k!
> > > new it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.
> >
> >
> >
>