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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
Little audiobook I listened to whilst sailing on a game called Sea of Thieves.
Another fantastic book from Melville. Ahead of his time in so many ways. Here he uses a racist narrator to highlight the grossness of paternalistic racism.
That whole 'aren't they doing well despite their disadvantages' sort of racism. Here manifest as 'they are too stupid to be cunning, too weak to be a threat'
Basically modern racism. Congratulations humanity, we managed to allow racism to spread far and wide and stretch to other groups beyond race. All because everyone believes their own self-delusional protestations of altruism and that you can't be racist if you're doing nice things for those people.
Grinds my gears.
Anyway the book...
Fantastic book. Really tight writing. Loved the tension built up along the way. Ending was a little flat.
True equality is realising that all people are 'capable' of evil as well as good. They are 'capable' because it is a universal of human nature. No group of people has a monopoly on good or evil. No group lacks certain qualities that allow for it. We are just responding to the hand dealt. Morality is judgement after the event and usually it holds its own degrees of prejudice. That knowledge does nothing to soothe history's injustices. It should just bring a little perspective in the here and now. You know, the place where it matters.
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A rich and complex short novel, I'd say equally informative and adventurous.
It touches some delicate issues – namely, black slavery in South America, and the extents to which violence is justifiable – that would require some historical and theoretical background to be understood fully.
Plot-wise, it's well executed, and a pleasure to read – I personally love the complexity of Melville's style.
However, it felt like a much lengthier and time-consuming read than it should've been, for the ultra-specialised nautical terminology that repeatedly required me to stop and check out the various meanings.
It touches some delicate issues – namely, black slavery in South America, and the extents to which violence is justifiable – that would require some historical and theoretical background to be understood fully.
Plot-wise, it's well executed, and a pleasure to read – I personally love the complexity of Melville's style.
However, it felt like a much lengthier and time-consuming read than it should've been, for the ultra-specialised nautical terminology that repeatedly required me to stop and check out the various meanings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Deportation
Minor: Cannibalism
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2 / 4 : If you have time, read
[A gregarious American captain boards a Spanish slave ship, only to slowly surmise that not everything is as it seems]
Both interesting and frustrating for its unreliable narrator, Benito Cereno lacks the tension and creeping horror which would seem to be implied by the short story's conceit.
Not especially perspicacious in its presentation of race, which would otherwise be the story's main draw.
I listened to a narration by Pete Cross
[A gregarious American captain boards a Spanish slave ship, only to slowly surmise that not everything is as it seems]
Both interesting and frustrating for its unreliable narrator, Benito Cereno lacks the tension and creeping horror which would seem to be implied by the short story's conceit.
Not especially perspicacious in its presentation of race, which would otherwise be the story's main draw.
I listened to a narration by Pete Cross
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes