I'd suggest starting with the prologue. It sets the tone and introduces key elements. But it really depends on your preferences. If you want to jump right into the action, maybe start at a later chapter that has a major event.
It was a common phenomenon to go berserk from reading, especially in novels that were challenging or had intense plots. If you find yourself in this predicament, here are some suggestions that might be useful:
1. Stop reading: If you find yourself addicted to the plot and characters in the novel, you might as well stop and take a few deep breaths to calm yourself down. He could leave his books and do other things such as taking a walk, breathing in fresh air, exercising, and so on.
2. Set goals: When reading a novel, you can set some goals, such as reading a certain number of chapters every day or reading a certain number of books every week. This could help him maintain a regular reading pace and avoid being overly engrossed.
3. Diversion: If you find that you can't get rid of the plot in the novel, you can try to divert your attention. Doing other things like watching movies, listening to music, chatting with friends, etc. can help you get out of the novel temporarily.
4. Make a plan: If you have already started reading some novels, you can make a reading plan. Setting a reading goal every day and following a reading plan will help you keep up with your reading progress and prevent you from getting too engrossed.
5. Ask for help: If you find yourself in a serious reading dilemma, ask for some help. You can talk to friends or family about your thoughts or seek professional reading guidance. This would help him regain his confidence and ability to read.
Listening to music while reading can relieve the pressure on the eyes and brain, help focus and improve reading efficiency. Here are some suggestions for music suitable for reading:
1. Light music: Light music usually has a slow rhythm and beautiful melody, which can help relax the body and mind and relieve stress. You can choose some classical light music such as variations of classical music or New Era music.
2. classical music: classical music is one of the best choices when reading. Its slow rhythm and beautiful melody could enhance the immersion of reading. You can choose some famous classical music works such as symphony, concerto, etc.
Meditation music: Meditation music usually contains simple rhythms and melodies that can help people relax and enter a meditative state. You can choose some meditation music to relax yourself after reading for a while.
4. Chinese songs: If you are reading a Chinese novel, you can choose some Chinese songs to listen to, especially some soothing songs such as "Red Bean" and "Blue and White Porcelain".
5. Pure music: If you prefer classical or meditation music but don't like too much noise, you can choose some pure music such as piano or violin music.
Listening to music while reading can help improve reading efficiency, relieve stress, enhance immersion, and also bring some fun to reading.
Soft music could distract people from reading and make them more focused on the book. Light music, classical music, soft folk music, and other types of music were all suitable for reading. If you were reading a horror novel, some exciting music might be more suitable for the background music in Black Mirror.
You could start from the beginning. That way, you'll get the full story arc and understand the development of the characters and the world-building without any confusion. Also, it helps you appreciate the growth and changes throughout the series.
The best place to start the Berserk manga is right at the beginning. It gives you a clear understanding of the characters' backgrounds and the overarching themes. You'll be able to follow the story's progression more smoothly this way.
I'd suggest starting from the chapter that follows the last episode of the anime. Usually, you can find this information in manga forums or dedicated Berserk fan communities.