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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
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.
Wow!! Was not expecting that, was not expecting to love this as much as I did, and was definitely not expecting to wish that it was even longer! I could have stayed in this world for another few hundred pages. Loved it and highly recommend!
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this books quite a lot, even if for the mere fascination of learning about an older occupation. You learn quite a bit about the old ways of whaling, and about the old views of the leviathans. My only gripe with the book is perhaps my own issue, but Moby Dick isn’t actually in the book except for the final three chapters. I do quite enjoy the book for its character development, which I believe is the intended meaning - but I thought it was about the whale sadly.
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
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the densest book I’ve ever read. Melville puts every word that’s ever come into his brain onto the page. Unfortunately this means that I sometimes forget what is happening halfway through a paragraph. These paragraphs sometimes take up multiple pages. Also every character speaks in these great speeches half the time.
There is a lot to like here, Melville definitely knows how to describe things. I know enough about whaling now that I think I could lead an expedition. I think that’s where Melville’s strength lies. My favorite chapters were when he described some part of the ship or explained some subject to do with whaling. My other favorite parts were when Melville would take a break from our main story and tell another one that was mildly related to Moby Dick.
Overall I enjoyed it, but I do not have plans to ever take on this journey again.
There is a lot to like here, Melville definitely knows how to describe things. I know enough about whaling now that I think I could lead an expedition. I think that’s where Melville’s strength lies. My favorite chapters were when he described some part of the ship or explained some subject to do with whaling. My other favorite parts were when Melville would take a break from our main story and tell another one that was mildly related to Moby Dick.
Overall I enjoyed it, but I do not have plans to ever take on this journey again.