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Herman Melville

Moby Dick

I would guess that most readers of this review will know the story of Herman Melville's Moby Dick - how Ishmael signs on with the whaling ship Pequod, to find that it's captain, Ahab, only has one whale on his mind. What you may not know is how long the book actually is - nearly 650 pages. Melville is an expert story teller, but sometimes I got the feeling that he was padding out the book just for the sake of it, in particular the long sections giving various facts about whales.

I found it interesting to see that Melville isn't totally pro-whaling - there are points in the book where he recognises it as the killing of intelligent and (mostly) harmless creatures. As the book nears its conclusion we see Melville's skill in his portrail of Ahab's insanity - how he sees that the sensible thing to do would be to give up the chase, but feels that he has no choice in the matter.

If you are planning to read this book then you might be tempted to skip some of the chapters on general whale facts. Alternatively, since the chapters are short and their are a lot of them, the almost poetical style of Melville's writing means that it's the sort of book from which you could read a chapter a day aloud .

Note: You can read Moby Dick at http://www.enotes.com/mobydick-text/

Amazon.com info

Paperback 672 pages
ISBN: 0099511185
Salesrank: 1669168
Weight:1.1 lbs

Published: 2008 Random House UK

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Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 672 pages
ISBN: 0099511185
Salesrank: 36132
Weight:1.1 lbs

Published: 2007 Vintage Classics

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Paperback 672 pages
ISBN: 0099511185
Salesrank: 178501
Weight:1.1 lbs

Published: 2007 Vintage Classics

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Product Description
When Ishmael sets sail on the whaling ship Pequod one cold Christmas Day, he is clueless to the horrors that await him on the vast and merciless ocean. The ship's strange captain, Ahab, is in the grip of an obsession to hunt down the famous white whale, Moby Dick, and will stop at nothing on his quest to annihilate his nemesis. Considered a failure during Melville’s lifetime but now hailed as a classic American novel, Ishmael’s story combines symbolism and philosophical debate with gripping adventure narrative in an uncanny and unforgettable fashion. An extract from Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-ship Essex by Owen Chase—which inspired Melville's own story—is also included.

Product Description

When Ishmael sets sail on the whaling ship Pequod one cold Christmas Day, he is clueless to the horrors that await him on the vast and merciless ocean. The ship's strange captain, Ahab, is in the grip of an obsession to hunt down the famous white whale, Moby Dick, and will stop at nothing on his quest to annihilate his nemesis. Considered a failure during Melville’s lifetime but now hailed as a classic American novel, Ishmael’s story combines symbolism and philosophical debate with gripping adventure narrative in an uncanny and unforgettable fashion. An extract from Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-ship Essex by Owen Chase—which inspired Melville's own story—is also included.

Timeless, Priceless, and all the other lesses *****
Obviously, this is a piece of American literature that no home with any position in academia, or a position as a human being, should be without. This publisher does a good job too. Penguin, Barnes and Noble--they all work hard to bring you the modern library classics, but vintage is still doing it. The never needed to start. Read something of Melville's if you don't have the gusto to read Moby Dick. And try reading it from a savvy publisher.

Timeless, Priceless, and all the other lesses *****

Obviously, this is a piece of American literature that no home with any position in academia, or a position as a human being, should be without.

This publisher does a good job too. Penguin, Barnes and Noble--they all work hard to bring you the modern library classics, but vintage is still doing it. The never needed to start.

Read something of Melville's if you don't have the gusto to read Moby Dick. And try reading it from a savvy publisher.

A Masterpiece *****
This wasn't that particularly popular in Melville's lifetime, and indeed a lot of books that he wrote weren't but in a revival of his works in the 1920's more notice and a greater appreciation of what he wrote came to be taken. Now rightfuly considered a masterpiece, not just amongst his works but of world literature it is amazing that so many people know the basic story but haven't read it. Being one of my favourite novels I usually end up reading it approximately every eighteen months or so, and am always in awe. There is just so much to take in with this fantastic tale. There is admittedly one section of the story that you may want to skip and that is when Melville goes on about the classification of whales etc. This part could possibly stop you finishing the book. I myself don't read this part any more but then I have read it countless times before. There is so much more than just Captain Ahab wanting to get revenge on the whale that lost him his leg, the whole story is full of imagery and symbolism, and although not everyone likes such things this story draws you in fully, keeping you deeply absorbed. There is just so much here that you can never really tire of reading it, you will always come across something different that you may have missed before. Melville was way ahead of anyone else writing at the time when he penned this that his genius was somehow overlooked. This book is like an onion with its many layers that you can peel back and find yet more subtleties. A definite book to read before you die.

A Masterpiece *****

This wasn't that particularly popular in Melville's lifetime, and indeed a lot of books that he wrote weren't but in a revival of his works in the 1920's more notice and a greater appreciation of what he wrote came to be taken. Now rightfuly considered a masterpiece, not just amongst his works but of world literature it is amazing that so many people know the basic story but haven't read it. Being one of my favourite novels I usually end up reading it approximately every eighteen months or so, and am always in awe. There is just so much to take in with this fantastic tale.

There is admittedly one section of the story that you may want to skip and that is when Melville goes on about the classification of whales etc. This part could possibly stop you finishing the book. I myself don't read this part any more but then I have read it countless times before. There is so much more than just Captain Ahab wanting to get revenge on the whale that lost him his leg, the whole story is full of imagery and symbolism, and although not everyone likes such things this story draws you in fully, keeping you deeply absorbed. There is just so much here that you can never really tire of reading it, you will always come across something different that you may have missed before.

Melville was way ahead of anyone else writing at the time when he penned this that his genius was somehow overlooked. This book is like an onion with its many layers that you can peel back and find yet more subtleties. A definite book to read before you die.

Some years ago - never mind how long precisely *****
The greatest novel ever written, this functions as both an adventure story and also an encyclopedic analysis of whaling lore. Somehow, being a genius, Melville structures this novel to also analyse the human condition and the mysteries of existence itself. It's funny, too, in places. Don't skip the whaling sections: they are all-important. The book seems, in part, to be about how we catalogue experience, and Melville approaches this question from an endless variety of angles, using a fairly simple premise (whaling) as the basis for an ultimately cosmic, mind-expanding rumination on what it means to be human.

Some years ago - never mind how long precisely *****

The greatest novel ever written, this functions as both an adventure story and also an encyclopedic analysis of whaling lore. Somehow, being a genius, Melville structures this novel to also analyse the human condition and the mysteries of existence itself.

It's funny, too, in places.

Don't skip the whaling sections: they are all-important. The book seems, in part, to be about how we catalogue experience, and Melville approaches this question from an endless variety of angles, using a fairly simple premise (whaling) as the basis for an ultimately cosmic, mind-expanding rumination on what it means to be human.

well past its sell by date *
I enjoy trying anything considered a classic as there usually turns out to be a good reason for it. I can vaguely see why some of the writing in this book may have been considered entertaining when there was less competition on the market but it wasn't for me. Even for this fantatic price I'd say you need to be a die hard classics fan to get much out of reading this. Be prepared for a hard slog.

well past its sell by date *

I enjoy trying anything considered a classic as there usually turns out to be a good reason for it. I can vaguely see why some of the writing in this book may have been considered entertaining when there was less competition on the market but it wasn't for me. Even for this fantatic price I'd say you need to be a die hard classics fan to get much out of reading this. Be prepared for a hard slog.

Much more than a mad captain and a white whale... *****
"Only the infidel sharks in the audacious seas may give ear to such words, when, with tornado brow, and eyes of red murder, and foam-glued lips, Ahab leapt after his prey." Most readers come to Moby-Dick thinking they know exactly what they're going to get. After all, who doesn't know the tale of the fanatical Ahab and his one-legged quest in search of the colossal white whale that so maimed him? This is why actually reading the novel is so important, for while popular culture lifts Melville's most obvious symbols from which to weave its myths, the genius of this work lies in what is going on right there on the page: the writing, the structure, the language. David Herd's introduction to the Wordsworth Classics is an essential read, and offers insight into why Melville's is considered not just a classic, but one of the "greatest novels ever written by an American" - this is an extraordinary claim! Herd argues for a political reading of the novel that makes Melville a prophet of our times; and it's convincing. Moreover, the novel is a treatise on autodidacticism (self-learning), the free-sharing of information (Wikipedia?), democracy, inspiration, cetology, philosophy, death, and I could keep going. It's difficult not to admire Melville as he struggled with this novel, dealt with its lack of commercial success: "Dollars damn me" he wrote to Hawthorne, but stayed true to its purpose with the same "fixed and fearless, forward dedication" as his character Ahab embodies as he races towards his doom. All this being said, the novel does tell a story, albeit one that follows an unconventional narrative path. Ishmael perfectly sums up the novel's structure, telling us "Out of the trunk, the branches grow; out of them, the twigs. So, in productive subjects, grow the chapters." We are treated to humour, as in Ishmael's meeting with the magnificent Queequeg; Shakespearean soliloquies; and the dramatic final stages of the chase that close out the novel. And I have bent the corners of many pages to go back to, in order to re-read some of the most startlingly rich and poetic language. Yes, the flawed and terrifying Ahab, and his nemesis, the white whale, are unique and singular creations for which this novel will continue to be best known, but Moby-Dick is a work that needs to be read at much greater depth than just a story, in order to be fully appreciated.

Much more than a mad captain and a white whale... *****

"Only the infidel sharks in the audacious seas may give ear to such words, when, with tornado brow, and eyes of red murder, and foam-glued lips, Ahab leapt after his prey."

Most readers come to Moby-Dick thinking they know exactly what they're going to get. After all, who doesn't know the tale of the fanatical Ahab and his one-legged quest in search of the colossal white whale that so maimed him? This is why actually reading the novel is so important, for while popular culture lifts Melville's most obvious symbols from which to weave its myths, the genius of this work lies in what is going on right there on the page: the writing, the structure, the language.

David Herd's introduction to the Wordsworth Classics is an essential read, and offers insight into why Melville's is considered not just a classic, but one of the "greatest novels ever written by an American" - this is an extraordinary claim! Herd argues for a political reading of the novel that makes Melville a prophet of our times; and it's convincing. Moreover, the novel is a treatise on autodidacticism (self-learning), the free-sharing of information (Wikipedia?), democracy, inspiration, cetology, philosophy, death, and I could keep going. It's difficult not to admire Melville as he struggled with this novel, dealt with its lack of commercial success: "Dollars damn me" he wrote to Hawthorne, but stayed true to its purpose with the same "fixed and fearless, forward dedication" as his character Ahab embodies as he races towards his doom.

All this being said, the novel does tell a story, albeit one that follows an unconventional narrative path. Ishmael perfectly sums up the novel's structure, telling us "Out of the trunk, the branches grow; out of them, the twigs. So, in productive subjects, grow the chapters." We are treated to humour, as in Ishmael's meeting with the magnificent Queequeg; Shakespearean soliloquies; and the dramatic final stages of the chase that close out the novel. And I have bent the corners of many pages to go back to, in order to re-read some of the most startlingly rich and poetic language.

Yes, the flawed and terrifying Ahab, and his nemesis, the white whale, are unique and singular creations for which this novel will continue to be best known, but Moby-Dick is a work that needs to be read at much greater depth than just a story, in order to be fully appreciated.

Great purchase *****
Great condition, standard delivery purchased but it came super quick despite postal strikes. Highly recommmended seller.

Great purchase *****

Great condition, standard delivery purchased but it came super quick despite postal strikes. Highly recommmended seller.

A classic plagued with irrelevant information **
Unfortunately Moby Dick is a novel which starts with much promise but then crawls through a sea of chapters with minimal relevance to the storyline, culminating in a brief and disappointing conclusion. One would expect there to be an unlimited number of compelling stories to take place on a whaling ship over the period of the journey but sadly this is not the case. The book begins well, although you may disagree if you grow tired of the constant bombardment of biblical references that occur as early as the first chapter. We meet Ishmael and soon enough, the savage who becomes his great friend, Queequeg. One assumes that the story will revolve around these two but as soon as the Pequod sets sail, they fade into obscurity. This is puzzling as Ishmael is the narrator and yet, surely can not be present in certain scenes described. The main positive to be taken from the book is the author's portrayal of the obsessive character of Captain Ahab. It is essential for the story's sake that Melville fully displays to the reader the hatred that consumes Ahab with regards to Moby Dick and this the author does successfully. However, aside from Ahab and the first mate Starbuck, the reader struggles to identify with any other characters. Instead, there is an all too frequent insertion of chapters describing in far too much detail about cetology and the whaling industry? Alas, the author is insistent on this as opposed to having chapters where we meet interesting, new characters who surely inhabited whaling ships in the Nineteenth Century. The story nosedives after the ship leaves Nantucket and when the ship finally comes into contact with Moby Dick, the chase lasts short of thirty pages - a rushed and slightly disappointing ending. Make no mistake; Ahab is the reason why this book is regarded as a classic. Without him, this story would have been long forgotten.

A classic plagued with irrelevant information **

Unfortunately Moby Dick is a novel which starts with much promise but then crawls through a sea of chapters with minimal relevance to the storyline, culminating in a brief and disappointing conclusion. One would expect there to be an unlimited number of compelling stories to take place on a whaling ship over the period of the journey but sadly this is not the case.

The book begins well, although you may disagree if you grow tired of the constant bombardment of biblical references that occur as early as the first chapter. We meet Ishmael and soon enough, the savage who becomes his great friend, Queequeg. One assumes that the story will revolve around these two but as soon as the Pequod sets sail, they fade into obscurity. This is puzzling as Ishmael is the narrator and yet, surely can not be present in certain scenes described. The main positive to be taken from the book is the author's portrayal of the obsessive character of Captain Ahab. It is essential for the story's sake that Melville fully displays to the reader the hatred that consumes Ahab with regards to Moby Dick and this the author does successfully. However, aside from Ahab and the first mate Starbuck, the reader struggles to identify with any other characters. Instead, there is an all too frequent insertion of chapters describing in far too much detail about cetology and the whaling industry?

Alas, the author is insistent on this as opposed to having chapters where we meet interesting, new characters who surely inhabited whaling ships in the Nineteenth Century. The story nosedives after the ship leaves Nantucket and when the ship finally comes into contact with Moby Dick, the chase lasts short of thirty pages - a rushed and slightly disappointing ending. Make no mistake; Ahab is the reason why this book is regarded as a classic. Without him, this story would have been long forgotten.

Moby Dick, Including Original Rockwell Kent Drawings *****
Everybody knows about the story of Moby Dick already, so I'll dispense with that part of the review. The reason I bought this book was for the reproductions of every original Rockwell Kent pen and ink drawings from the 1930 Lakeside Press (Chicago) edition of Moby Dick. This edition faithfully reprints every one of Mr. Kent's excellent drawings, even on the original page numbers. Say what you will about Moby Dick, but if you like the drawings of Rockwell Kent, this edition is for you.

Moby Dick, Including Original Rockwell Kent Drawings *****

Everybody knows about the story of Moby Dick already, so I'll dispense with that part of the review. The reason I bought this book was for the reproductions of every original Rockwell Kent pen and ink drawings from the 1930 Lakeside Press (Chicago) edition of Moby Dick. This edition faithfully reprints every one of Mr. Kent's excellent drawings, even on the original page numbers.

Say what you will about Moby Dick, but if you like the drawings of Rockwell Kent, this edition is for you.

a bit drawn out but amazing prose *****
Wow! Every aspiring writer should give this a read...or then again maybe they shouldn't since it may be too depressing to read something this good. Like Joseph Conrad's works, Lord Jim and Heart of Darkness, Moby-Dick is somewhat autobiographical, at least in the sense that Melville took to the high seas in a whaling boat in the middle of his life, prior to writing this. As a high schooler I found this book terribly boring, but now I mainly see it as amazingly well written. Kids probably shouldn't be forced to read classic literature because they generally don't appreciate it. In a sense, the whole novel is one long buildup to the final devastating scene, and perhaps there's some Freudian or other indirect psychological meaning to that layout of the story, but you'll have to find an expert for the correct interpretation. Apparently, Melville wasn't particularly commerically successful in his lifetime, partly because he was unconventional in style and wouldn't crank out mindless rubbish. Billy Budd is also certainly worth reading again. In summary, Moby-Dick should be required reading for every adult! Author of Adjust Your Brain: A Practical Theory for Maximizing Mental Health.

a bit drawn out but amazing prose *****

Wow! Every aspiring writer should give this a read...or then again maybe they shouldn't since it may be too depressing to read something this good. Like Joseph Conrad's works, Lord Jim and Heart of Darkness, Moby-Dick is somewhat autobiographical, at least in the sense that Melville took to the high seas in a whaling boat in the middle of his life, prior to writing this. As a high schooler I found this book terribly boring, but now I mainly see it as amazingly well written. Kids probably shouldn't be forced to read classic literature because they generally don't appreciate it. In a sense, the whole novel is one long buildup to the final devastating scene, and perhaps there's some Freudian or other indirect psychological meaning to that layout of the story, but you'll have to find an expert for the correct interpretation. Apparently, Melville wasn't particularly commerically successful in his lifetime, partly because he was unconventional in style and wouldn't crank out mindless rubbish. Billy Budd is also certainly worth reading again. In summary, Moby-Dick should be required reading for every adult! Author of Adjust Your Brain: A Practical Theory for Maximizing Mental Health.

Should be Read Once ****
I made my mind to read Moby Dick after reading Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell. I did enjoy reading it overall, but I have to confess that at times I had to force myself to keep going, and also that I glanced over a few chapters without - I think - missing too much of the overall plot. If you are planning to read this book just keep in mind that the language, although beautiful, has a much slower flow than that of a more contemporary book. Melville has quite insightful and philosophical passages, and from a historical perspective this is an extremely rich book. The information on whaling and the economic importance of it during that period is remarkable - quite a resource for anyone doing research on the subject, or merely curious about it. But, if I had to summarize it in a few words, it is a book about men facing their demons, and as such, it is a timeless book. Would I read again? Probably not, but I do feel it is a book that deserves to be read at least once.

Should be Read Once ****

I made my mind to read Moby Dick after reading Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell. I did enjoy reading it overall, but I have to confess that at times I had to force myself to keep going, and also that I glanced over a few chapters without - I think - missing too much of the overall plot.

If you are planning to read this book just keep in mind that the language, although beautiful, has a much slower flow than that of a more contemporary book. Melville has quite insightful and philosophical passages, and from a historical perspective this is an extremely rich book. The information on whaling and the economic importance of it during that period is remarkable - quite a resource for anyone doing research on the subject, or merely curious about it.

But, if I had to summarize it in a few words, it is a book about men facing their demons, and as such, it is a timeless book.

Would I read again? Probably not, but I do feel it is a book that deserves to be read at least once.

Horizon, witness distance. Paramount to my resting place. *****
Thank god for this vendor, the only supplier that would back me up in my time oh need. Send it to me, oh, touched by the grace of chaos and good! Oh albatros, oh heavenly messenger in my time of mundane peril. Speak to me, and let me question what I know. Because, I've read books, but I haven't gone whaling.

Horizon, witness distance. Paramount to my resting place. *****

Thank god for this vendor, the only supplier that would back me up in my time oh need. Send it to me, oh, touched by the grace of chaos and good! Oh albatros, oh heavenly messenger in my time of mundane peril. Speak to me, and let me question what I know. Because, I've read books, but I haven't gone whaling.

A gripping classic on the high seas *****
Opening with the famous line "Call me Ishmael", so begins this classic tale of one man's obsession with a noble, beautiful, yet highly intimidating beast of the seas, the white sperm whale Moby Dick. Set in the 1850's, this story tells of Captain Ahab and his passionate quest to get his revenge on the whale which severed his leg on a past sea-voyage. The story is told by Ishmael, who along with his newly-found friend Queequeg, embark on this most fateful journey. This book really expresses the heart and soul of men who spend many years of their lives away from their loved families and friends to pursue and kill the proud sperm whales of the deep blue. When reading Melville's description of life at sea, you really get a feeling of a sad dignity to the whaleman's life as he travels the globe. This novel isn't so much about a whale, but about one man's intense sorrow and desire for vengence and the lengths to which he'll go to acheive his victory over a foe which seems almost to exist solely to torment him. It's a book rich with commentary on the depths of one's soul. Although this story is told by Ishmael, much of it is written more by an omniscient narrator. Certainly, there are many scenes which are described in detailed which Ishmael's character certainly couldn't have been present for. In fact, Ishmael himself hardly seems to play much of a role in the events within the novel. But, he does spend many chapters describing the sperm whale, such as it's dimensions, eating and travelling patterns, the various goods its body produces, etc. He speaks of this so much at certain points it's almost a little too much. But, he gives wonderful details which suggest Melville really did some in-depth research for this novel. I can certainly see why this is a classic. It's so very well-written and reading it made me wish so much I had this type of literary talent. The descriptive language is very beautiful. The characters all seem so real, particularly Captain Ahab, who's seems to be burdened with a good nature, but heavy heart. Although the novel may seem a little slow or long at some points and the lengthy description of the Sperm Whale can become tedious, it's well worth wading through these low points to enjoy this wonderful tale. I think this is really a great book and certainly worth reading.

A gripping classic on the high seas *****

Opening with the famous line "Call me Ishmael", so begins this classic tale of one man's obsession with a noble, beautiful, yet highly intimidating beast of the seas, the white sperm whale Moby Dick. Set in the 1850's, this story tells of Captain Ahab and his passionate quest to get his revenge on the whale which severed his leg on a past sea-voyage. The story is told by Ishmael, who along with his newly-found friend Queequeg, embark on this most fateful journey.

This book really expresses the heart and soul of men who spend many years of their lives away from their loved families and friends to pursue and kill the proud sperm whales of the deep blue. When reading Melville's description of life at sea, you really get a feeling of a sad dignity to the whaleman's life as he travels the globe. This novel isn't so much about a whale, but about one man's intense sorrow and desire for vengence and the lengths to which he'll go to acheive his victory over a foe which seems almost to exist solely to torment him. It's a book rich with commentary on the depths of one's soul.

Although this story is told by Ishmael, much of it is written more by an omniscient narrator. Certainly, there are many scenes which are described in detailed which Ishmael's character certainly couldn't have been present for. In fact, Ishmael himself hardly seems to play much of a role in the events within the novel. But, he does spend many chapters describing the sperm whale, such as it's dimensions, eating and travelling patterns, the various goods its body produces, etc. He speaks of this so much at certain points it's almost a little too much. But, he gives wonderful details which suggest Melville really did some in-depth research for this novel.

I can certainly see why this is a classic. It's so very well-written and reading it made me wish so much I had this type of literary talent. The descriptive language is very beautiful. The characters all seem so real, particularly Captain Ahab, who's seems to be burdened with a good nature, but heavy heart. Although the novel may seem a little slow or long at some points and the lengthy description of the Sperm Whale can become tedious, it's well worth wading through these low points to enjoy this wonderful tale. I think this is really a great book and certainly worth reading.