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verydazedragon's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Much better than Moby Dick, I can tell you that. Not really to my taste, but a very good coming-of-age story. Several of follies of Redburn actually caused me to laugh out loud, which I always like in a classical novel.
sirhe's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good coming of age story from Melville. Redburn's naïveté at sea is comical and yet his reflections on sailing and Liverpool contemplate serious topics like slavery, immigration, and progression of society. Overall, three-and-a-half stars because of excessive references and minimal action.
rottenjester's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eggly_glenn's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
piccoline's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars only on the "Melville Scale". For almost anyone else it would be a 5. It's a wonderful book. Funny, warm, insightful. The narrator here is nicely complex, seeing the world from the perspective of a boy on his first voyage from home, yet filtered through the more worldly wise voice of a much older man looking back at his youth.
This novel also features some of Melville's most emotionally moving scenes, including Chapter 37's heartbreaking lament for those ground up in the gears of Capital and the final chapter's mournful revelation that will be left here unsaid.
This novel also features some of Melville's most emotionally moving scenes, including Chapter 37's heartbreaking lament for those ground up in the gears of Capital and the final chapter's mournful revelation that will be left here unsaid.
darwin8u's review against another edition
3.0
“For the scene of suffering is a scene of joy when the suffering is past; and the silent reminiscence of hardships departed is sweeter than the presence of delight.”
― Herman Melville, Redburn
It must be awful as a writer to dash off a novel for money or tobacco in a couple of weeks and have it praised, but see your earlier serious novel ([b:Mardi|1027826|Mardi and a Voyage Thither|Herman Melville|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1418363447s/1027826.jpg|1014075]) panned, and your later novel ([b:Moby-Dick|153747|Moby-Dick; or, The Whale|Herman Melville|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327940656s/153747.jpg|2409320]) under-appreciated until years after your death. That is the genius of a select group of writers -- they are destined to exist in this weird space between art and the public. Perhaps the strong bitter of Melville's art was just too early and too strange for the public, but they WERE ready for his swipes.
If you are into literature of the sea ([b:The Sea Wolf|43049|The Sea Wolf|Jack London|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389481608s/43049.jpg|2062963], [b:The Pilot|453801|The Pilot A Tale of the Sea |James Fenimore Cooper|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1266558666s/453801.jpg|2638415], [b:Captains Courageous|34057|Captains Courageous|Rudyard Kipling|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327959659s/34057.jpg|1105754], etc.,) or you are just into Melville, you will want to read this. If, however, this is your first Melville, I'd stick with Moby-Dick.
― Herman Melville, Redburn
It must be awful as a writer to dash off a novel for money or tobacco in a couple of weeks and have it praised, but see your earlier serious novel ([b:Mardi|1027826|Mardi and a Voyage Thither|Herman Melville|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1418363447s/1027826.jpg|1014075]) panned, and your later novel ([b:Moby-Dick|153747|Moby-Dick; or, The Whale|Herman Melville|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327940656s/153747.jpg|2409320]) under-appreciated until years after your death. That is the genius of a select group of writers -- they are destined to exist in this weird space between art and the public. Perhaps the strong bitter of Melville's art was just too early and too strange for the public, but they WERE ready for his swipes.
If you are into literature of the sea ([b:The Sea Wolf|43049|The Sea Wolf|Jack London|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389481608s/43049.jpg|2062963], [b:The Pilot|453801|The Pilot A Tale of the Sea |James Fenimore Cooper|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1266558666s/453801.jpg|2638415], [b:Captains Courageous|34057|Captains Courageous|Rudyard Kipling|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327959659s/34057.jpg|1105754], etc.,) or you are just into Melville, you will want to read this. If, however, this is your first Melville, I'd stick with Moby-Dick.