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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
I must admit that I skimmed through some of the "blubber" chapters. Overall, however, I admit I was taken aback with how much I came to appreciate and love this epic story. Thematically and decisively there is so much happening that I'm sure it'll make a pleasurable second read some day. Just for fun- my absolute favorite chapter was The Spirit Spout. Suspiring "s" sounds can always rein me in.
This book was my white whale. But it did not defeat me. It's my brother's favourite book. I cannot understand why. I would not recommend it. But if you feel you must give it a go, the audiobook - read beautifully by Anthony Heald - will definitely help.
Started 06/02/16. Finished (finally) 11/12/22
Started 06/02/16. Finished (finally) 11/12/22
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
slow-paced
Favorite chapters: The Sermon, The Shark Massacre, The Candles
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Excellent monograph on the whaling industry and the biology and behavior of whales, especially the sperm whale. Okay but seriously: this book has me a little torn.
The parts of the book that are story are fantastic. The prose is stunning; the story is wonderfully gripping. But the copious and exhaustive essays about whales and whaling, which are at times hardly relavent to the story and even worse sometimes inaccurate (whales are not fish), were often a slog to get through. Herman, I believe you that whales are real, and I know what whales look like. Back to the story, please.
But oh, what a story! It is at once the quintessential campfire tale told by the quintessential old man campfire storyteller, and a profound exploration of the human experience. While I wish he could have spent more time on the story than describing (at times ironically inaccurate) whale biology, this was truly excellent.
The parts of the book that are story are fantastic. The prose is stunning; the story is wonderfully gripping. But the copious and exhaustive essays about whales and whaling, which are at times hardly relavent to the story and even worse sometimes inaccurate (whales are not fish), were often a slog to get through. Herman, I believe you that whales are real, and I know what whales look like. Back to the story, please.
But oh, what a story! It is at once the quintessential campfire tale told by the quintessential old man campfire storyteller, and a profound exploration of the human experience. While I wish he could have spent more time on the story than describing (at times ironically inaccurate) whale biology, this was truly excellent.
I've never been so happy to finish a book. MOBY DICK is not for me, and I would never consider it among the greatest novels ever written. However, this particular narration is fantastic. In fact, without the lively reader I could not have endured this tale.
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ishmael really really really likes whales.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore
Moderate: Racism
So the story of the white whale had become my white whale. Not sure if that’s ironic or appropriate. But hey, only took me on an off 2 years to finish this…
This is a difficult one to review. Absolutely loved the beginning with just Ishmael and Queequeg but then the story really lost steam for most of the book.
Dense language and highly specific and partially translated outdated whale and whaling info does not make for the most riveting read, certainly not for hundreds of pages.
Still, I’m a sucker for maritime adventure stories and I enjoyed this way more than I should have. Will probably revisit favorite sections in the future but see no reason to read the book in its entirety again.
This is a difficult one to review. Absolutely loved the beginning with just Ishmael and Queequeg but then the story really lost steam for most of the book.
Dense language and highly specific and partially translated outdated whale and whaling info does not make for the most riveting read, certainly not for hundreds of pages.
Still, I’m a sucker for maritime adventure stories and I enjoyed this way more than I should have. Will probably revisit favorite sections in the future but see no reason to read the book in its entirety again.