Scan barcode
utahmomreads's review against another edition
5.0
This is fabulous--exactly what I expect from a novel. It surpassed my expectations. You can read my full review on http://utahmomslife.blogspot.com/2010/05/moby-dick-and-ahabs-wife-book-review.html
newlillith's review against another edition
5.0
Ahab's Wife is a book I saw a few years ago in a Borders; it's been sitting on my "to read" list since. When I saw it on sale through Kindle's monthly deals at $3.99, I decided the time was right to read it! I ended up loving this book more than I have loved a book in a long time. The writing is truly lyrical. The main character, Una, is an amazing model of a true feminist woman. The author writes in first person, which I haven't seen often in literary fiction (at least the books I've read). It totally works for this character, who we see grow from pre-pubescence to middle age. Una asks so many of the questions I ask in my daily life--real, true, deep life questions, and she finds her own answers for them. Not only was this book a true beauty in the realm of literary fiction, but it fed my soul. I cried and laughed with Una (not something I can say about many characters). I wish there were more stars to give it because I can't recommend this book enough. For gods sake, stop reading this and GO READ AHAB'S WIFE!
marco1549's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Opening line: Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last.
Melville’s classic Moby Dick contains perhaps three or four sentences that reference Ahab’s wife – “… not three-voyages wedded – a sweet, resigned girl…” – but those brief references were enough to inspire Neslund to write this tome.
Una is a marvelous character: intelligent, forthright, adventurous, eager to learn, ready to work, open to new ideas, questioning of the status quo, tenacious, principled, loyal and loving. Neslund takes her from her childhood in Kentucky, raised in a remote cabin near the Ohio River, by a God-fearing man who will beat the Lord into his daughter if necessary, and a devoted mother who will ensure her child’s safety, to her later years in Massachusetts. Along the way she encounters a wonderful cast of colorful characters – from her Aunt and Uncle, to the young men she is courted by, to the sailors / whalers she comes to admire, and the neighbors who form her “family” in Nantucket and ‘Sconset (including Mary Starbuck, wife of Ahab’s first mate).
Neslund fills the novel with details of life in 19th century America:. the difficulties of a winter in a small Kentucky cabin, the excitement (and terror) of sailing on a whaling vessel, the tragedy of slavery, the joy of intellectual pursuits, the dangers of childbirth, and the quiet peace of a happy home.
But make no mistake, the story is Una’s, first and foremost.
Melville’s classic Moby Dick contains perhaps three or four sentences that reference Ahab’s wife – “… not three-voyages wedded – a sweet, resigned girl…” – but those brief references were enough to inspire Neslund to write this tome.
Una is a marvelous character: intelligent, forthright, adventurous, eager to learn, ready to work, open to new ideas, questioning of the status quo, tenacious, principled, loyal and loving. Neslund takes her from her childhood in Kentucky, raised in a remote cabin near the Ohio River, by a God-fearing man who will beat the Lord into his daughter if necessary, and a devoted mother who will ensure her child’s safety, to her later years in Massachusetts. Along the way she encounters a wonderful cast of colorful characters – from her Aunt and Uncle, to the young men she is courted by, to the sailors / whalers she comes to admire, and the neighbors who form her “family” in Nantucket and ‘Sconset (including Mary Starbuck, wife of Ahab’s first mate).
Neslund fills the novel with details of life in 19th century America:. the difficulties of a winter in a small Kentucky cabin, the excitement (and terror) of sailing on a whaling vessel, the tragedy of slavery, the joy of intellectual pursuits, the dangers of childbirth, and the quiet peace of a happy home.
But make no mistake, the story is Una’s, first and foremost.
panda58's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
tophat8855's review against another edition
3.0
I listened via Hoopla. It sounds like the audio was originally on cassette tapes are there are gaps of silence in the audio where you'd flip a tape over or change it out for another one. Nice, quick listen.
SPOILERS HERE:
It's essentially Moby Dick fan fiction. Una, the main character has 3 marriages: one before Ahab (with Kit), Ahab, and then at the end with Ishmael (yes, that person you are told to call Ishmael). I felt like throwing in Ishmael as her final romantic partner at the end of her life was meh. Didn't need that. I didn't mind him being a character and a friend, but making him her last husband was just too much tied up in a bow. Unless you like bows, then fine.
SPOILERS HERE:
It's essentially Moby Dick fan fiction. Una, the main character has 3 marriages: one before Ahab (with Kit), Ahab, and then at the end with Ishmael (yes, that person you are told to call Ishmael). I felt like throwing in Ishmael as her final romantic partner at the end of her life was meh. Didn't need that. I didn't mind him being a character and a friend, but making him her last husband was just too much tied up in a bow. Unless you like bows, then fine.
kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition
4.0
The first time through (at least ten years ago), I cried at the end because I had grown so close to Una and felt like I was losing a good friend. That's not a spoiler, I mean that I had spent so much time in her company, and there were going to be no more conversations once I finished the book. I love all the literary and historical interweavings. I love the depiction of a woman's life in this era.
Wish I could give it 5 stars again, but on this re-read, I slogged through it some. Honestly, I think it's more about me and where I am in life than about the book. I will continue to recommend it.
Wish I could give it 5 stars again, but on this re-read, I slogged through it some. Honestly, I think it's more about me and where I am in life than about the book. I will continue to recommend it.
annie_reads_books's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Abridged version on audio.