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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
I am very surprised that I liked this novel. I would describe it as interesting, boring, and surprisingly funny.
This is an interesting look into a world that really does not exist anymore. These sailors are very superstitious creatures, but they are also very Christian. Watching the dynamic as they try to integrate the two is bizarre. Ishmael is very into science and I was shocked at how advanced some of the science he talked about was, while at the same time being completely backwards in other (often what I considered simpler) concepts.
Ishmael is funny. He has an entire section discussing the fact that whales do not have noses that stick out of their heads like human noses. He also speaks directly to the reader on a regular basis.
This is an interesting look into a world that really does not exist anymore. These sailors are very superstitious creatures, but they are also very Christian. Watching the dynamic as they try to integrate the two is bizarre. Ishmael is very into science and I was shocked at how advanced some of the science he talked about was, while at the same time being completely backwards in other (often what I considered simpler) concepts.
Ishmael is funny. He has an entire section discussing the fact that whales do not have noses that stick out of their heads like human noses. He also speaks directly to the reader on a regular basis.
würde ich empfehlen das buch zu lesen? nein. ist es eines der besten bücher die ich je gelesen habe? ja! habe ich jetzt eine wal obsession? JA
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Finally read it. It was a struggle honestly. I was amazed at how little plot there was. So many philosophical asides!
Extraída de mi IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2fmphMPBGY
•
Recientes Impresiones: La lucha dentro de la circunferencia del horizonte en "Moby Dick"
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¿Es toda la empresa de este mundo la venganza del Caído en contra de su creador?
Desde los inicios de su obra Melville fue atacado. Ya en “Typee” expuso lo que muchos de los misioneros enviados a predicar hacían; lo que muchos de los marineros, frente a hombre o mujer, hacían; lo que pasaba con los supuestos nuevos faros de la civilización. A partir de la experiencia y del deseo interno, expresó su apreciación por la vida fuera de una sociedad asfixiante ya desde los inicios del siglo XIX.
Por todo esto, no debería de impresionarnos el rango de crítica y confesión que existe en "Moby Dick," su sexta obra. Desde relaciones homosexuales, avaricia, locura y rigidez humana; todo en potencia de rebelarse contra uno mismo y contra “Dios.” Pero, aún sobre esto, este drama, este teatro, es justamente una obra que debe de ser llevada a cabo. ¿Es Ahab, Ahab? ¿Es Ishmael, Melville? ¿Eres tú, tú? ¿Es toda lucha contra el destino una burlona predestinación, y es todo lo que dislumbramos en la similitud entre lo que existe bajo la mar y bajo nosotros una rebelión en contra del sistema o un mecanismo más de su estelar línea de producción pro-equilibrio?
Y nadie obtiene respuestas. ¿Deberíamos de? ¿Las hay? ¿Es el Pequod Estados Unidos? ¿Son Tashtego, Queequeg, Daggoo y Fedallah, una demostración de cómo nos hemos unido, nosotros en el “3er mundo,” a un viaje con finales marcados desde el inicio como mortales, con un capitán dispuesto a perderlo todo en contra de la Naturaleza —Naturaleza que todos en la novela niegan a ceder ante—…? Probablemente sea, como todas las grandes novelas —notese la gran similitud entre esta y "Gravity Rainbow"— el descubrir que la realidad no es más que un paisaje de espejos que vislumbran prismaticamente nuestro profundo azul.
•
Recientes Impresiones: La lucha dentro de la circunferencia del horizonte en "Moby Dick"
•
¿Es toda la empresa de este mundo la venganza del Caído en contra de su creador?
Desde los inicios de su obra Melville fue atacado. Ya en “Typee” expuso lo que muchos de los misioneros enviados a predicar hacían; lo que muchos de los marineros, frente a hombre o mujer, hacían; lo que pasaba con los supuestos nuevos faros de la civilización. A partir de la experiencia y del deseo interno, expresó su apreciación por la vida fuera de una sociedad asfixiante ya desde los inicios del siglo XIX.
Por todo esto, no debería de impresionarnos el rango de crítica y confesión que existe en "Moby Dick," su sexta obra. Desde relaciones homosexuales, avaricia, locura y rigidez humana; todo en potencia de rebelarse contra uno mismo y contra “Dios.” Pero, aún sobre esto, este drama, este teatro, es justamente una obra que debe de ser llevada a cabo. ¿Es Ahab, Ahab? ¿Es Ishmael, Melville? ¿Eres tú, tú? ¿Es toda lucha contra el destino una burlona predestinación, y es todo lo que dislumbramos en la similitud entre lo que existe bajo la mar y bajo nosotros una rebelión en contra del sistema o un mecanismo más de su estelar línea de producción pro-equilibrio?
Y nadie obtiene respuestas. ¿Deberíamos de? ¿Las hay? ¿Es el Pequod Estados Unidos? ¿Son Tashtego, Queequeg, Daggoo y Fedallah, una demostración de cómo nos hemos unido, nosotros en el “3er mundo,” a un viaje con finales marcados desde el inicio como mortales, con un capitán dispuesto a perderlo todo en contra de la Naturaleza —Naturaleza que todos en la novela niegan a ceder ante—…? Probablemente sea, como todas las grandes novelas —notese la gran similitud entre esta y "Gravity Rainbow"— el descubrir que la realidad no es más que un paisaje de espejos que vislumbran prismaticamente nuestro profundo azul.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is not as adventurous as I thought before. It turns out to be even more. If you're a biology freak, you'll love this book. Maybe one-fourth part is about whale anatomy, especially sperm whale. Blubber, bones, spouts, nose, teeth, fins, you name it. References from numerous books about whales are included.
Another one-fourth is about the technical details of a whaling-ship, the tools used to catch a whale and the process of getting oil out of it. Kinda gross and horrible. Poor whales. I don't want to be a whale in those days (1850s). Maybe the only thing I ever love from a whaling ship is that the journey seems to be more lively compared with slave-ship, a ship-of-war, or a merchant ship. Moreover, one whale ship seemed to be always in the most friendly term with another.
Another one-fourth is basically a description followed by reflection on the crews and officers, especially their infamous captain, Ahab, who swore that he would chase the whale that had made him lose one leg (also destroyed his pride, I suppose) until the end of the world. The words used are so poetic, the narrative is filled with soliloquies, which will become awfully boring and unpractical if used in modern days.
The last one-fourth is the adventure part. Yay, finally ;p
Of which, kinda exhilarating. The life dynamics in the ship, which is named Pequod, were great. I have to say that Melville should have give more length to this part of the book, because I still think there's much to be told, such as the interaction between the crews and the exotic pagan harpooners (who does not love Queequeg anyway). Blame me not, I love adventurous stories.
However, Melville had his own reason. He did not want Moby Dick to become a mere adventure story. Definitely not. It is also not a "preachy" book that told us not to drag innocent people into our own dark ambition, like Ahab. It is more than that. It gives us a more thorough explanation on how it feels to become a whaling-ship crew, how it feels to have a voyage around the world to seek whales (and what not) plus what is this Leviathan called whale really about.
It took me a month to finish this book. Yeah, it's not THAT long, only 540 pages or something. A bit tiresome (especially with the biology lesson and technical details), but it's worth it. The climax/ending is breathtaking, I assure you.
Another one-fourth is about the technical details of a whaling-ship, the tools used to catch a whale and the process of getting oil out of it. Kinda gross and horrible. Poor whales. I don't want to be a whale in those days (1850s). Maybe the only thing I ever love from a whaling ship is that the journey seems to be more lively compared with slave-ship, a ship-of-war, or a merchant ship. Moreover, one whale ship seemed to be always in the most friendly term with another.
Another one-fourth is basically a description followed by reflection on the crews and officers, especially their infamous captain, Ahab, who swore that he would chase the whale that had made him lose one leg (also destroyed his pride, I suppose) until the end of the world. The words used are so poetic, the narrative is filled with soliloquies, which will become awfully boring and unpractical if used in modern days.
The last one-fourth is the adventure part. Yay, finally ;p
Of which, kinda exhilarating. The life dynamics in the ship, which is named Pequod, were great. I have to say that Melville should have give more length to this part of the book, because I still think there's much to be told, such as the interaction between the crews and the exotic pagan harpooners (who does not love Queequeg anyway). Blame me not, I love adventurous stories.
However, Melville had his own reason. He did not want Moby Dick to become a mere adventure story. Definitely not. It is also not a "preachy" book that told us not to drag innocent people into our own dark ambition, like Ahab. It is more than that. It gives us a more thorough explanation on how it feels to become a whaling-ship crew, how it feels to have a voyage around the world to seek whales (and what not) plus what is this Leviathan called whale really about.
It took me a month to finish this book. Yeah, it's not THAT long, only 540 pages or something. A bit tiresome (especially with the biology lesson and technical details), but it's worth it. The climax/ending is breathtaking, I assure you.
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rough, rough read. Was required reading for all English undergrads... While I'm proud to say I made it through, it wasn't one of the more enjoyable classics that I've read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes