Name the Book - Give the First Paragraph

[Sir Bogan]

As the name of the topic says, provide the first paragraph of the book to be identified.
(I did a search but couldn't find a topic already)

Some Rules.....
1) Any book is allowed, lets get that grey matter working.
2) Make sure you quote the whole opening paragraph.
4) Try not to post a new opening paragraph until the previous one has been solved.

Okay, because I created the topic, I get to post first.

Here's an easy one.

"It was Apollo, Son of Zeus and Leto, who started the feud, when he punished the King for his discourtesy to Chryses, his priest, by inflicting a deadly plague on his army and destroying his men. Chryses had come to the Achaean ships to recover his captured daughter. He brought with him a generous ransom and carried the chaplet of the Archer-god Apollo on a golden staff in his hand. He appealed to the whole Achaean army, and most of all to its two commanders, the sons of Atreus."

 

[Kleidophoros]

Iliad but it's not the opening paragraph. And it's a funny translation..

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I believe the previous one is solved and in case i need to post one myself;
"Hear me, Ye Angaraks, for I am Torak, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Bow before my Name and worship me with prayers and with sacrifices, for I am your God and I have dominon over all the realms of the Angaraks. And great shall be my wrath if ye displease me."

 

[Josef_the_Pretender]

Ha ha! So ideally you'd have to choose a first paragraph from which none of the phrases returned anything relevant in an internet search? Or should people just agree not to search?

 

[Adorno]

We better not use google for this one; you can find anything by searching.

As for Kleidophoros' paragraph: It sounds like a modern mythical story, but I've never heard of Angaraks. Could be Anglo-Saxon?

 

[Josef_the_Pretender]

Agreed.

I'm guessing Kleidophoros's one is something by David Eddings(?) but I haven't a clue what book. It could be something Old Testament-y, but I'm going for fantasy (who else uses 'realms'?  ).

 

[Rujasu]

It's almost certainly by Eddings, but I can't say which book.

 

[Kleidophoros]

Okay then i am gonna give a clue

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It's an opening paragraph of a book by David Eddings.

 

[Rujasu]

Oh screw you. 
Anyway, after a quick look through my bookshelf, I think it's from The Belgariad. Since I didn't find that specific opening paragraph, it must be one of the last 3 books.
The odds are against me, but I'm going to say it's Enchanters' End Game.

 

[Mayhem]

Yes Ljas, that's certainly Enchanter's End Game.

 

[Kleidophoros]

Yes Ljas wins, it's Enchanter's End Game.

 

[Rujasu]

All right, here's a new one:

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"It can hardly be a coincidence that no language on earth has ever produced the expression "As pretty as an airport."

 

[Adorno]

Okay, a shot in the dark: Max Frisch' Homo Faber?

 

[Rujasu]

Nope. It's a less known book by a very popular author.

 

[Adorno]

"Less known", damned. My next guess would've been Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (never read it).

 

[Rujasu]

How is Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy a less known book? 

 

[Adorno]

It isn't, that's why I said 'damned' and my guess 'would've been' ...

Anyway, it could be some American beatnick writer, but I don't know them that well.

 

[Do not look here]

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul maybe or one from series? Also Adams'

Quite amusing books by the way.

 

[Rujasu]

Yep, it's The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.

 

[Do not look here]

Ah, quite entertaining lecture it was. And if we are already at amusing books:

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Before attempting to penetrate the Evil Overlord's Invincible Fortress, the practical hero will seriously examine the option of maintaining a safe distance and picking him off the rampants with a long-range weapon

 

[McBeverage]

Ah, quite entertaining lecture it was. And if we are already at amusing books:

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Before attempting to penetrate the Evil Overlord's Invincible Fortress, the practical hero will seriously examine the option of maintaining a safe distance and picking him off the rampants with a long-range weapon

I've read the book, although I had to Google it to make sure it was the book I was thinking of.
Hence, my lips are sealed.