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2.85 AVERAGE
2.85 AVERAGE
What fine, stentorian prose is this? Melville writes as only Melville can, it’s like a voice from mankind’s most invincible mythic past, when the world was somehow better for being less deceived by all the fripperies that obscure true sight in us all. A delightful tale, much less gruelling than the nonetheless incomparable Moby Dick. Poor Billy, he was a good’un.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a review only of Billy Budd, not this entire collection of stories.
I just read Billy Budd for the first time since college. Budd, the protagonist of this novella, is a symbol of innocence, and makes a better symbol than a character. His retains his innocence and simplicity (he is also illiterate and uneducated) throughout the story, and that naturally makes him lack any complexity. Assuming we're meant to take Budd's innocence completely seriously, as a Christian reader I find Budd a chimerical figure because I know no one in this sinful world is ever innocent. This story is supposed to be a parable, but parables should reflect reality.
All other aspects of the story are much less problematic. John Claggart and Captain Vere are characters who reflect reality, and are therefore more complex and interesting. Claggart distrusts his fellow man to the point of malice and, being an evil man, hates Billy Budd for his innocence. Vere understands both Claggart and Budd, suspects that Budd has been falsely accused, and suffers from guilt after his grim duty. And in what ultimately happens, the parable is valid but commonplace: a wicked man causes the death of a character who hasn't done anything wrong; why did such injustice happen?
I just read Billy Budd for the first time since college. Budd, the protagonist of this novella, is a symbol of innocence, and makes a better symbol than a character. His retains his innocence and simplicity (he is also illiterate and uneducated) throughout the story, and that naturally makes him lack any complexity. Assuming we're meant to take Budd's innocence completely seriously, as a Christian reader I find Budd a chimerical figure because I know no one in this sinful world is ever innocent. This story is supposed to be a parable, but parables should reflect reality.
All other aspects of the story are much less problematic. John Claggart and Captain Vere are characters who reflect reality, and are therefore more complex and interesting. Claggart distrusts his fellow man to the point of malice and, being an evil man, hates Billy Budd for his innocence. Vere understands both Claggart and Budd, suspects that Budd has been falsely accused, and suffers from guilt after his grim duty. And in what ultimately happens, the parable is valid but commonplace: a wicked man causes the death of a character who hasn't done anything wrong; why did such injustice happen?
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
I vaguely remember reading Moby Dick when I was a teenager and thinking how painful it was. This particular novel is very short and was unfinished at the time of Melville's death, perhaps not truly reflective of a polished Melville work. All of which is to say it was a fairly easy novel to read.
The story itself is reminiscent of Dickens in the sense that it is very wordy. I prefer succinct writing, but I will say that the wide scope of Melville's allusions and metaphors were actually quite pleasant to read. The plot itself unfolds so predictably that ironically, the wandering prose is the only thing that really captivates.
The story is basically one of a merchant British sailor impressed into the British Navy at the height of its conflict with Napoleonic France. While he seems to adapt to his new life well enough there are others in the crew that resent his immediately popular status and like all mean-willed men they seek to knock him from the heights. The results of that attempt are framed within the war and a recent series of mutinies, making any positive outcome impossible.
If you are looking for an easy read from a difficult American author, then this is the book for you. It will keep your interest but is hardly a must read. Three stars.
The story itself is reminiscent of Dickens in the sense that it is very wordy. I prefer succinct writing, but I will say that the wide scope of Melville's allusions and metaphors were actually quite pleasant to read. The plot itself unfolds so predictably that ironically, the wandering prose is the only thing that really captivates.
The story is basically one of a merchant British sailor impressed into the British Navy at the height of its conflict with Napoleonic France. While he seems to adapt to his new life well enough there are others in the crew that resent his immediately popular status and like all mean-willed men they seek to knock him from the heights. The results of that attempt are framed within the war and a recent series of mutinies, making any positive outcome impossible.
If you are looking for an easy read from a difficult American author, then this is the book for you. It will keep your interest but is hardly a must read. Three stars.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
No. Please no.