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challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I try to keep in mind the time period when reading old books; people did not have the benefit of TV and the internet to know what a whale looks like or even the ocean in many cases. This book is most like one of those documentaries that adds in a fictional story for interest, adds in a sprinkling of poetry and philosophy for good measure and all of it is narrated as though for the visually impaired.
I listened to it on audiobook for there was no way I could make it through reading it. There were times I zoned out and other times I had no idea what I had just listened to and had to look up the chapter summary online. Much like I wanted the disabled whale in chapter 81 to get away while the two ships battled each other for him [at least we learn he was old and quite the fighter in his youth], I kept listening to see if Moby Dick himself would prevail. This book is better for people who like to savor over the words of an old book or study it as part of historical context. I am neither of those people. I have increased my rating for teaching me more about whales, either through this book, or from looking up sperm whales online as a result of reading this book more than enjoying it. [There is an interesting story about studying their sounds while a group of whales hold a newborn baby up for hours until it can swim on it's own] Some of the facts in the book, concern the behaviours of the schools, remain true and scientific all these years later.
If you want the story of Ahab and his quest for revenge it is sporadic throughout the book but is mostly concentrated in the last 10%
I listened to it on audiobook for there was no way I could make it through reading it. There were times I zoned out and other times I had no idea what I had just listened to and had to look up the chapter summary online. Much like I wanted the disabled whale in chapter 81 to get away while the two ships battled each other for him [at least we learn he was old and quite the fighter in his youth], I kept listening to see if Moby Dick himself would prevail. This book is better for people who like to savor over the words of an old book or study it as part of historical context. I am neither of those people. I have increased my rating for teaching me more about whales, either through this book, or from looking up sperm whales online as a result of reading this book more than enjoying it. [There is an interesting story about studying their sounds while a group of whales hold a newborn baby up for hours until it can swim on it's own] Some of the facts in the book, concern the behaviours of the schools, remain true and scientific all these years later.
If you want the story of Ahab and his quest for revenge it is sporadic throughout the book but is mostly concentrated in the last 10%