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A review by djl
Moby Dick (Graphic Novel) by Christophe Chabouté, Herman Melville
4.0
Here is yet another confession. The only version of Moby Dick that I have EVER been able to finish was the Great Illustrated Classics edition. I was in love with that book so much that I can't even remember how many times I re-read it on road trips as a youngster. Only Black Beauty was the other title in that collection that made as many road trips for obvious horse-lover reasons.
Both in high school and college, I attempted to read the original unabridged edition... for my own entertainment. It was never required reading in either setting for my English classes, but I wanted to try and read Melville's original work. I failed both times and have thus given up attempting. For now.
Now, based on my experience with the version I have read and know, I believe Chabouté has captured the spirit of the story Melville penned. He establishes and builds the ominous atmosphere present in the story throughout the graphic novel culminating into the fateful clash between the obsessive Ahab and Moby Dick. The black inky drawings along the white pages are a stark contrast that really fits from starting with Ishmael's arrival in Nantucket to finishing with Ishmael on the coffin/life-buoy.
The only drawback I see is that while the main characters (Ishmael, Queequeg, Starbuck, etc.) are all present, there doesn't seem as much interaction or development as was present even in the Great Illustrated Classic. (This hurt the most for Queequeg, a favorite of mine, though I liked how Chabouté depicted him here.) It's difficult to put an entire novel into graphic format, especially in a single volume, so I can understand cutting somewhat. But it felt odd because readers are hearing this story from Ishmael (I mean, all versions start off with "Call me Ishmael.") yet beyond the beginning and the end, he seems to merely fade into the background.
I suppose Ahab's obsession must be placed in the foreground as that IS the story. It would have been good to see these familiar characters and hear their voices more than was present.
Overall, I do recommend Chabouté's graphic rendition of Moby Dick, both for those who have finished and appreciate the original and for those who, like me, cannot finish the original for now.
Both in high school and college, I attempted to read the original unabridged edition... for my own entertainment. It was never required reading in either setting for my English classes, but I wanted to try and read Melville's original work. I failed both times and have thus given up attempting. For now.
Now, based on my experience with the version I have read and know, I believe Chabouté has captured the spirit of the story Melville penned. He establishes and builds the ominous atmosphere present in the story throughout the graphic novel culminating into the fateful clash between the obsessive Ahab and Moby Dick. The black inky drawings along the white pages are a stark contrast that really fits from starting with Ishmael's arrival in Nantucket to finishing with Ishmael on the coffin/life-buoy.
The only drawback I see is that while the main characters (Ishmael, Queequeg, Starbuck, etc.) are all present, there doesn't seem as much interaction or development as was present even in the Great Illustrated Classic. (This hurt the most for Queequeg, a favorite of mine, though I liked how Chabouté depicted him here.) It's difficult to put an entire novel into graphic format, especially in a single volume, so I can understand cutting somewhat. But it felt odd because readers are hearing this story from Ishmael (I mean, all versions start off with "Call me Ishmael.") yet beyond the beginning and the end, he seems to merely fade into the background.
I suppose Ahab's obsession must be placed in the foreground as that IS the story. It would have been good to see these familiar characters and hear their voices more than was present.
Overall, I do recommend Chabouté's graphic rendition of Moby Dick, both for those who have finished and appreciate the original and for those who, like me, cannot finish the original for now.