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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Moby Dick is a very strange novel. Captain Ahab, who has lost a leg in a whale attack, is obsessed with having his revenge on this whale, Moby Dick. He sets out to hunt down the whale and does battle with it after a long voyage. In the end, Moby Dick manages to kill the entire crew but one man, and sink the whaling ship. Melville leaves open whether the whale dies or not.
That is the entire plot. In between there are philosophical ramblings, play-like scenes, pseudo-science passages on ceutology and long chapters about the science of whaling.
An unusual, if not very enjoyable read.
That is the entire plot. In between there are philosophical ramblings, play-like scenes, pseudo-science passages on ceutology and long chapters about the science of whaling.
An unusual, if not very enjoyable read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful flowing language and incredibly detailed insight into the whaling life and was surprised to find some moments of real humour dovetailed into the overall feeling of impending tragedy. After being so faithfully described in the early chapters, I felt a little cheated by the absence of Queequeg through the latter part of the story, as I found his character and the relationship with Ishmael fascinating. A couple of chapters went into more depth about whales than was really necessary for the narrative; interesting though they were, the frequency of such explanations seemed to increase as the tale progressed and began to get in the way of the story.
8/10 - I do enjoy Melville’s vast approach to writing, it makes it enjoyable, and all the ‘boring’ whale talk that fills most of the book is made enjoyable by its connections to the wider world and by his experimentation.
adventurous
challenging
funny
slow-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
a masterpiece
It's finally done! If this book was the first few chapters and the last three with none of the rabble inbetween I probably would have enjoyed it...
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I want to love this book. But I can't. It drags on so much and that is part of the book, as much as it is part of whaling.
However, one should endure it to get more insight on Ahab. He is an amazing character and legendary work of fiction for a reason.
However, one should endure it to get more insight on Ahab. He is an amazing character and legendary work of fiction for a reason.
Is it long? Yes. Boring? How do you feel about reading on the cytology of whales for an hour? Did it change the way I think? Yes. Is it worth it? Hell yes. This book is overrated--mostly because most people do not actually read it. Its not the kind of book where you ask "what happened?" or "what part are you on?" or even "what's the plot line?". It is the kind of book you read and internalize, the kind you beg to pull quotes from and then realize that, once you do, they have no meaning outside of the larger text. I think that most people who have really READ this book are somehow unable to discuss it on the subway or in casual conversation. Because its about what man is when he is separated from land, from himself, from his own "insular tahiti" that promises safety and ignorance. This book is a 'jumping off point' in the most literal way.
emotional
sad
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:
Yes