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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first time I picked up a copy of this book I was doing volunteer work at a tiny historical museum in Cape Cod, right down the street from where whaling captains once lived. It was a sunny day, which meant all of the tourists were anywhere but at a tiny museum, and I had nothing to do, so I picked up the only novel in the gift shop and read the first few chapters. At that point, I had heard nothing but negative things about the book, but being where I was with the sea breeze coming in a side door and ships within earshot, it was impossible not to be intrigued by Ishmael's opening chapters and made up my mind to one day read the whole thing, no matter how boring people said it was.
Now, a few years later, having finally read the book, I can say that this book is unlike any book I have ever read. It takes you on such a strange journey, from wanting to poke your eyes out rather than read anymore to not being able to put the book down. It is scientific, it is historical, it is funny, it is poetic, it is almost Shakespearean, it is an adventure story, it is a spiritual story--really it is everything in one book, and I feel there's so much more to it that would take multiple readings to begin to fully grasp (which I have no plans on doing). Ahab is everything I expected him to be and more. He is ready to strike down the sun if it gets in his way, yet he also has these moments of compassion. It's odd how he sort of puts a spell on you as the reader, just as he does with the characters. After reading hundreds of pages about every single aspect of whaling and alternating between being bored out of your mind and being amused and entertained by the odd characters, Moby Dick finally appears and you feel Ahab's excitement and yet you want Ahab to listen to Starbuck and turn back because you know it's not going to end well yet you feel connected with Ahab and want to see the whale and see the ship and the whale finally meet. And by the end I was no longer sure who I was rooting for: the whale or Ahab and his crew?
I give this book five stars more out of respect and awe for this epic piece of work rather than love for the book. I'm very glad I read it, for not only do I see how it influenced so many contemporary books and movies (especially Jaws), but also now see how it helped shape the Cape and the area where I've spent so much time.
Now, a few years later, having finally read the book, I can say that this book is unlike any book I have ever read. It takes you on such a strange journey, from wanting to poke your eyes out rather than read anymore to not being able to put the book down. It is scientific, it is historical, it is funny, it is poetic, it is almost Shakespearean, it is an adventure story, it is a spiritual story--really it is everything in one book, and I feel there's so much more to it that would take multiple readings to begin to fully grasp (which I have no plans on doing). Ahab is everything I expected him to be and more. He is ready to strike down the sun if it gets in his way, yet he also has these moments of compassion. It's odd how he sort of puts a spell on you as the reader, just as he does with the characters. After reading hundreds of pages about every single aspect of whaling and alternating between being bored out of your mind and being amused and entertained by the odd characters, Moby Dick finally appears and you feel Ahab's excitement and yet you want Ahab to listen to Starbuck and turn back because you know it's not going to end well yet you feel connected with Ahab and want to see the whale and see the ship and the whale finally meet. And by the end I was no longer sure who I was rooting for: the whale or Ahab and his crew?
I give this book five stars more out of respect and awe for this epic piece of work rather than love for the book. I'm very glad I read it, for not only do I see how it influenced so many contemporary books and movies (especially Jaws), but also now see how it helped shape the Cape and the area where I've spent so much time.
Really 4 1/2 stars and I'll tell you why in a minute.
When I was about half way done with this tome I came upon this quote "... For there is no folly of the beast which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men." (Or something close to that i dont have the book in front of me at this second). And that pretty much sums up Moby Dick in a few words.
This is a very good book, some might even say an excellent book but damn it's a long book, sometimes a tedious book, sometimes an almost intolerable book. This story is told by that long winded friend we all have who just can't give you the abbreviated version of a story but the kind who has to give you every single littlest detail, backtrack, add asides, explanations, puts you on hold while she takes another call, on and on, but dang it, she tells excellent stories and you can't help but be drawn in and try to be patient when she goes into an extranious explanation. That is Melville. He has a leviathan of a story to tell you of a leviathan and he's not taking any shortcuts. So board the whale ship, sit back and be prepared for an extended journey (and ahem, sometimes those guys were out at sea for 3 years or more, lol).
And damn if I didn't learn a lot about whales. Mostly because I had to keep googling whales and wow and holy cow, I never did much consider whales. Never really cared all that much being more practical minded and caught up in the everyday world, which face it, doesn't have much to do with whales. But never mind, I now know more than I ever wanted about whales, sperm oil, baleen, whale boats, you name it. I even watched one video on YouTube where a humpbacked whale was caught up in a fishing net and I was moved to tears as the rescuers raced to save her life. Good lord.
And really all the explanations about whales I found interesting enough, life aboard the ship, okay, vignettes on certain characters and personalities fine, but it was the hunt itself, the more action packed parts of the story when most readers say "fuck yeah, finally!" where I balked. I just couldn't stand the slaughter. I HATED all the plumes of blood spewing from the blowhole churning water and death throes and all that. In one part they come across a pod of whales where one mama whale gives birth to baby whale, and well, I don't know because I skipped that part!
The last quarter of the book seemed to drag on for me. Yes, okay we get it Ahab is batshit crazy. Evil omens and tidings of great calamities everywhere, dear god just get on with it already. So that kind of did me in hence the subtraction of a half star. But that's just me. Symbolism, allegory, God and fate all that and a whale of a tale.
When I was about half way done with this tome I came upon this quote "... For there is no folly of the beast which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men." (Or something close to that i dont have the book in front of me at this second). And that pretty much sums up Moby Dick in a few words.
This is a very good book, some might even say an excellent book but damn it's a long book, sometimes a tedious book, sometimes an almost intolerable book. This story is told by that long winded friend we all have who just can't give you the abbreviated version of a story but the kind who has to give you every single littlest detail, backtrack, add asides, explanations, puts you on hold while she takes another call, on and on, but dang it, she tells excellent stories and you can't help but be drawn in and try to be patient when she goes into an extranious explanation. That is Melville. He has a leviathan of a story to tell you of a leviathan and he's not taking any shortcuts. So board the whale ship, sit back and be prepared for an extended journey (and ahem, sometimes those guys were out at sea for 3 years or more, lol).
And damn if I didn't learn a lot about whales. Mostly because I had to keep googling whales and wow and holy cow, I never did much consider whales. Never really cared all that much being more practical minded and caught up in the everyday world, which face it, doesn't have much to do with whales. But never mind, I now know more than I ever wanted about whales, sperm oil, baleen, whale boats, you name it. I even watched one video on YouTube where a humpbacked whale was caught up in a fishing net and I was moved to tears as the rescuers raced to save her life. Good lord.
And really all the explanations about whales I found interesting enough, life aboard the ship, okay, vignettes on certain characters and personalities fine, but it was the hunt itself, the more action packed parts of the story when most readers say "fuck yeah, finally!" where I balked. I just couldn't stand the slaughter. I HATED all the plumes of blood spewing from the blowhole churning water and death throes and all that. In one part they come across a pod of whales where one mama whale gives birth to baby whale, and well, I don't know because I skipped that part!
The last quarter of the book seemed to drag on for me. Yes, okay we get it Ahab is batshit crazy. Evil omens and tidings of great calamities everywhere, dear god just get on with it already. So that kind of did me in hence the subtraction of a half star. But that's just me. Symbolism, allegory, God and fate all that and a whale of a tale.
i read the unabridged version in high school... it took me FOREVER!
read the abridged version - as Joe says no one needs to read about the history of whaling
read the abridged version - as Joe says no one needs to read about the history of whaling
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though many there be who have tried it."
Why didn't anyone ever tell me how queer this book is?
Ishmael and QueegQueg are more than just cabin mates, it's magical btw and oddly funny.
Ishmael and QueegQueg are more than just cabin mates, it's magical btw and oddly funny.
I'm glad I read it. I'm gladder still that I'm done and can move on with my life.
It's a thrilling adventure tale, when it chooses to be, and in answering any reader's concerns that are as daunting as my own were in avoiding Moby-Dick as long as I did, I'll also say this: No one ever talks about how funny it is — the first third, anyway. And not merely glancingly humorous or quaintly amusing by modern standards but legitimately, intentionally funny. Act I is for all intents and purposes a comedy. The tragedy comes later.
If I had a time machine, I'd take Melville a copy of Strunk & White and literally any Elmore Leonard paperback and hope that he would adjust his style accordingly. So many unnecessary words, and more than a handful of complete chapters that could be excised and never missed. (There's 135 chapters and an epilogue. Kill your darlings, Herman.)
Had it failed in every other way, it would at least have deepened my already steadfast appreciation for Jaws and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and I'm already looking forward to watching the 1956 film adaptation with Gregory Peck as Ahab, eager to see how John Huston and Ray Bradbury pared the story down to its essence to bring the film in under two hours.
It's a thrilling adventure tale, when it chooses to be, and in answering any reader's concerns that are as daunting as my own were in avoiding Moby-Dick as long as I did, I'll also say this: No one ever talks about how funny it is — the first third, anyway. And not merely glancingly humorous or quaintly amusing by modern standards but legitimately, intentionally funny. Act I is for all intents and purposes a comedy. The tragedy comes later.
If I had a time machine, I'd take Melville a copy of Strunk & White and literally any Elmore Leonard paperback and hope that he would adjust his style accordingly. So many unnecessary words, and more than a handful of complete chapters that could be excised and never missed. (There's 135 chapters and an epilogue. Kill your darlings, Herman.)
Had it failed in every other way, it would at least have deepened my already steadfast appreciation for Jaws and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and I'm already looking forward to watching the 1956 film adaptation with Gregory Peck as Ahab, eager to see how John Huston and Ray Bradbury pared the story down to its essence to bring the film in under two hours.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A