Ahab's Wife, or The Star-Gazer

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Thomas Jr. "Moby Dick" has been one of my favorite books for years and years, and when I first learned that there was a novel coming out with the title "Ahab's W…more"Moby Dick" has been one of my favorite books for years and years, and when I first learned that there was a novel coming out with the title "Ahab's Wife," I thought the whole idea was absurd. Ahab is such a chillingly majestic figure that I couldn't imagine him in any social arrangement as intimate and personal as marriage. I simply couldn't imagine his finding a woman who could command his notice, respect, or interest any more than I could imagine him in a relationship of convention or convenience with a "normal" woman. It was like imagining a spouse for Beowulf, or Gandalph, or Darth Vader. As a result, Naslund's managing to invent such a woman struck me as little short of miraculous. That's what I enjoyed most-- the brilliance of inventing a plausible character who filled that impossible bill. (To be honest, it's really fun that her bold heroine is a cross-dresser, a lot like Shakespeare's strongest women!) I also loved her seamless incorporation of the history of the whale ship Essex.(less)
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John Haggerty The man in black was Nathaniel Hawthorne. The line that he and Una discuss is from a Hawthorne story called "The Village Uncle".…moreThe man in black was Nathaniel Hawthorne. The line that he and Una discuss is from a Hawthorne story called "The Village Uncle".(less)
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Lisa Schwarz Yes, whales die. But karma takes its toll
Susan We just read her final letter to Una; I think the author felt that, much like real life, not everything is wrapped up neatly (my theory).

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