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Moby Dick, or, The Whale
Obviously the book's a classic. However I thought this hard copy was going to be a (retro) small book like the one I read as a boy. This thing's huge like a medical dictionary.
Moby Dick, or, The Whale
Of course, I had a copy with lots of footnotes, so I didn't have to go and look up every mythology reference.
Moby Dick, or, The Whale
Opening with the famous line "Call me Ishmael", so begins this classic tale of one man's obsession with a noble, beautiful, yet highly intimidating beast of the seas, the white sperm whale Moby Dick. Set in the 1850's, this story tells of Captain Ahab and his passionate quest to get his revenge on the whale which severed his leg on a past sea-voyage. The story is told by Ishmael, who along with his newly-found friend Queequeg, embark on this most fateful journey.This book really expresses the heart and soul of men who spend many years of their lives away from their loved families and friends to pursue and kill the proud sperm whales of the deep blue. When reading Melville's description of life at sea, you really get a feeling of a sad dignity to the whaleman's life as he travels the globe. This novel isn't so much about a whale, but about one man's intense sorrow and desire for vengence and the lengths to which he'll go to acheive his victory over a foe which seems almost to exist solely to torment him. It's a book rich with commentary on the depths of one's soul.Although this story is told by Ishmael, much of it is written more by an omniscient narrator. Certainly, there are many scenes which are described in detailed which Ishmael's character certainly couldn't have been present for. In fact, Ishmael himself hardly seems to play much of a role in the events within the novel. But, he does spend many chapters describing the sperm whale, such as it's dimensions, eating and travelling patterns, the various goods its body produces, etc. He speaks of this so much at certain points it's almost a little too much. But, he gives wonderful details which suggest Melville really did some in-depth research for this novel.I can certainly see why this is a classic. It's so very well-written and reading it made me wish so much I had this type of literary talent. The descriptive language is very beautiful. The characters all seem so real, particularly Captain Ahab, who's seems to be burdened with a good nature, but heavy heart. Although the novel may seem a little slow or long at some points and the lengthy description of the Sperm Whale can become tedious, it's well worth wading through these low points to enjoy this wonderful tale. I think this is really a great book and certainly worth reading.
Moby Dick, or, The Whale
This book surprised me. I mean, I knew it was a classic, but it isn't structured like any other book I've read. It starts out as a conventional story about this guy names Ishmael, it turns into a recasting of the whole whaling tradition in terms of American enthusiasm and resourcefullness, and then finishes as pure drama. Yes, there are some slow parts, but they seem real. As if Ismael/Melville is trying to convince the reader, a landlocked American in 1851, that being a whaler is interesting, understandable, and as stark a struggle with nature as the life of any frontiersman or explorer.
Moby Dick, or, The Whale
Quite apart from, some might say in spite of Moby Dick's label as "a classic," it has become one of my favorite novels. It breathes with a life that the rest of Melville's work (with the possible exceptions of "Bartelby" and the "Lightening Rod Salesman") lacks.The reason I'm writing a review of the book (my voice has little to add to what others have already written about the text) is to encourage readers to pick up the modern library version. The illustrations add so much texture to the story. They are not imagination robbing images, their semi-surreality expands rather than narrows mental freedom. Get it. You won't be disappointed.
Moby Dick, or, The Whale
"And God created [ Sperm Whales ]" so Herman Melville could write Moby Dick.