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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
My complaint is the same I've heard from everyone else. This book is fantastically written but the author vamps too much in the middle. The beginning is brilliant, the ending is brilliant, the middle has too much fluff. I realize this is likely my modern point-of-view messing with my enjoyment, and I really DID like the chapter about, say, the carpenter, but less so the let-me-tell-you-about-every-kind-of-whale chapters.
Moby Dick is surprisingly Shakespearian in its use of language. It lends itself incredibly well to being read out-loud (I tried it for a bit).
I'm glad I finally got around to reading this one.
Moby Dick is surprisingly Shakespearian in its use of language. It lends itself incredibly well to being read out-loud (I tried it for a bit).
I'm glad I finally got around to reading this one.
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Moby Dick changed my life.
I can't argue it, the way Melville writes transports me to the daily chore of living on a Whaling ship. Being part of this incessant routine, it captivates me in a droning hypnotic way which can transport me to the time Melville wrote this very book. It's wonderful.
I can't argue it, the way Melville writes transports me to the daily chore of living on a Whaling ship. Being part of this incessant routine, it captivates me in a droning hypnotic way which can transport me to the time Melville wrote this very book. It's wonderful.
I confess I almost gave up on this book about halfway through. I was fed up with the diversions from the narrative. I said that Melville needed a good editor.
Then I realized how arrogant that was. I’ve never come close to writing a book and yet I’m all of a sudden critiquing a great American author whose work has stood the test of time?
Melville’s Moby Dick is his own. He includes what’s important to him. Who am I to say he shouldn’t?
So I dove back in (hehe) and tried to reflect more on each chapter.
Moby Dick transcends the ordinary novel. Melville not only writes a gripping narrative, but he creates a wide variety of vibrant characters, some you only meet in one chapter and then bid farewell; he pauses to write his thought on the current field of cetology, taking time to describe every single whale he knows of; and philosophizes on the human condition through abundant metaphors.
I also found it remarkable that although this book was written in the mid 19th century, Melville shows so much respect toward his minority characters. They are some of the best in the book.
Moby Dick is also hilarious — so much subtle humor is sprinkled throughout.
I definitely recommend this book. Don’t be put off by the Goodreads score. Take it a chapter at a time and really soak it all in. You’ll miss out if you don’t.
Then I realized how arrogant that was. I’ve never come close to writing a book and yet I’m all of a sudden critiquing a great American author whose work has stood the test of time?
Melville’s Moby Dick is his own. He includes what’s important to him. Who am I to say he shouldn’t?
So I dove back in (hehe) and tried to reflect more on each chapter.
Moby Dick transcends the ordinary novel. Melville not only writes a gripping narrative, but he creates a wide variety of vibrant characters, some you only meet in one chapter and then bid farewell; he pauses to write his thought on the current field of cetology, taking time to describe every single whale he knows of; and philosophizes on the human condition through abundant metaphors.
I also found it remarkable that although this book was written in the mid 19th century, Melville shows so much respect toward his minority characters. They are some of the best in the book.
Moby Dick is also hilarious — so much subtle humor is sprinkled throughout.
I definitely recommend this book. Don’t be put off by the Goodreads score. Take it a chapter at a time and really soak it all in. You’ll miss out if you don’t.
Trying to get psyched up to teach this one again. Like the framework and the narrative overall, but lord spare me some of the detailed passages of them heading out to sea...
Moby Dick is about the friends we made along the way
3.5. beautiful writing. read more like a dissertation on whales, whaling, ships, etc. The actual story was very entertaining.
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know that I can count this as read 'cause after 5 attempts I only made it 2/3 through. I know it's a classic but It bores me out of my mind.
I love BARTLEBY THE SCRIVENER so I kept trying this one. I have come to the conclusion that I understand the themes of the book which are so often referenced and I have read other Melville works therefore I will simply have to make peace with the fact I am slightly ashamed but can't stand this book. I guess I will just have to live with being one part cultural cretin.
I love BARTLEBY THE SCRIVENER so I kept trying this one. I have come to the conclusion that I understand the themes of the book which are so often referenced and I have read other Melville works therefore I will simply have to make peace with the fact I am slightly ashamed but can't stand this book. I guess I will just have to live with being one part cultural cretin.
Me lo estaba escuchando en audiolibro y me perdí
One of the greatest pieces of American literature, they say. Not sure if I entirely agree as I haven't read it all, If you spend enough time, it gets better, and as I read it immedeatly after [b:Paradise Lost|15997|Paradise Lost|John Milton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526070678l/15997._SY75_.jpg|1031493] and [b:King Lear|12938|King Lear|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331563731l/12938._SY75_.jpg|2342136], and as Melville is incredibly well-read his references to most of the Western canon and those two in particular make the reading more enjoyable. There's a lot of great analysis that has been done; pretty sure I was only re-trodding ground in writing an essay on it. Nevertheless, I'm glad to have finally read this classic. I started it with my dad at a young age but we were both pretty confused and I don't remember the ending. It was good to go through it at a slow pace with a professor, so now I have some notes next time I go through it. It is a book to re-read.