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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
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
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
slow-paced
Classic American adventure. I had to get used to the lofty prose, but it suits the tale.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
4.5 five stars.
Where to begin? This book is a homage to American Whaling. If you ever wanted to know about Nantucket, whales, whaling and all the subtopics therein, this is the book to start with. I was impressed with the scope of this book. Melville has managed to make whaling a metaphor for life, love, spirit, and happiness. I was at times in an adventure novel and at others a reference book. But wait, now its a tragedy and a turn of the page makes it a poem of epic proportions! What a whirlwind of a read. I cried, I laughed, I nodded in agreement and then I shook my head in disbelief.
It started slow for me. I've tried numerous times to pick up this book and read without success. I finally turned it on in Audio and was soon lost in the words of Melville. I think it helped to listen to it being read versus trying to slog through the jargon and prose myself.
What I found most interesting is that the actual story of Moby Dick, the white whale is probably only about 1/3 of the book. The rest is instruction and information as well as a lot of philosophizing. As you listen to Ishmael's yarn you get chapters worth of Nantucket life, the different types of whales, the parts and uses of the ship, the parts and habits of the whale, etc. And then you jump back to the story for a short while with all this wonderful new information to make the journey that much richer.
I can see why it has been debated as possibly the greatest American novel.
Where to begin? This book is a homage to American Whaling. If you ever wanted to know about Nantucket, whales, whaling and all the subtopics therein, this is the book to start with. I was impressed with the scope of this book. Melville has managed to make whaling a metaphor for life, love, spirit, and happiness. I was at times in an adventure novel and at others a reference book. But wait, now its a tragedy and a turn of the page makes it a poem of epic proportions! What a whirlwind of a read. I cried, I laughed, I nodded in agreement and then I shook my head in disbelief.
It started slow for me. I've tried numerous times to pick up this book and read without success. I finally turned it on in Audio and was soon lost in the words of Melville. I think it helped to listen to it being read versus trying to slog through the jargon and prose myself.
What I found most interesting is that the actual story of Moby Dick, the white whale is probably only about 1/3 of the book. The rest is instruction and information as well as a lot of philosophizing. As you listen to Ishmael's yarn you get chapters worth of Nantucket life, the different types of whales, the parts and uses of the ship, the parts and habits of the whale, etc. And then you jump back to the story for a short while with all this wonderful new information to make the journey that much richer.
I can see why it has been debated as possibly the greatest American novel.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
This was one of those books I had in childhood and never did get round to reading. So part of my plan in my senior years is to catch up on all this which is ongoing. This book did not disappoint me as I loved the characters and atmosphere on the high seas which was often exciting. There were times though where I found bits of the book boring.....like when the author spent ages detailing all the types of whales. However now that I have finished the book and am reflecting on it I realise that times at sea could be boring too so it set the scene well....and I feel I have learned so much about whales!! Then of course they caught up with Moby Dick...action packed....and the end of Captain Ahab....but the narrator survives as did Moby..... so a good ending for me.