There's a moment before the beginning. When the water rises to the lip of the dam, not yet higher. Today. Now - the beginning of the email Amazon sent to anyone who pre-ordered What Else But Home:

"Greetings from Amazon.com

"We thought you'd like to know that we shipped your items, and that this
completes your order. Your order is being shipped and cannot be changed
by you or by our customer service department.

"You can track the status of this order, and all your orders, online by
visiting Your Account at...."

Then the water rises higher. The angle of repose, exceeded. Kesey knew those moments.

The first Amazon review is up: HERE