Moby Dick

by Geraldine McCaughrean (Adaptor), Victor G. Ambrus (Illustrator), Herman Melville (Original Work)

Ishmael é um marinheiro experiente que decide fazer sua primeira viagem num navio baleeiro. Ele conhece Queequeg, um nativo do Pacífico, e os dois embarcam no Pequod, o navio do misterioso capitão Ahab. Na tripulação havia um certo grupo oculto que os marinheiros chamavam "os demônios de Ahab"; eles eram chefiados por Fedallah. O objetivo da viagem de Ahab era vingar-se de Moby Dick, a lendária baleia que comeu sua perna. Muita gente do mar conhece a baleia branca. Sempre se encontra quem conte histórias e mais histórias sobre seu tamanho, força, ferocidade, inteligência.

Parece em tudo uma baleia extraordinária, dotada de vontade e raciocínio, um ser superior. Finalmente, depois de muito tempo já no mar, o próprio Ahab é quem avista, à distância, Moby Dick. A baleia é realmente colossal. Cada salto dela no ar, seguido de seu estrondoso mergulho no oceano, espanta cada vez mais a tripulação do Pequod. Moby Dick sai vitorioso do primeiro confronto. O bote do capitão - o que transportava Fedallah e os demais "demônios" - é destruído. Ahab é salvo, mas Fedallah e seus homens somem. No dia seguinte, Fedallah aparece morto. No entanto, Ahab pega num bote para, outra vez, perseguir Moby Dick. Mas a baleia branca se volta e investe contra o Pequod, que afunda. Ahab é arrastado para as profundezas, preso à corda do último arpão que conseguira cravar em Moby Dick. A gloriosa baleia branca prossegue seu domínio sobre os oceanos. De toda a tripulação, sobrevive apenas Ishmael.

Genres: Classics, Fiction

152 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2006

About the author

Geraldine McCaughrean is a British children's novelist. She has written more than 170 books, including Peter Pan in Scarlet (2004), the official sequel to Peter Pan commissioned by Great Ormond Street Hospital, the holder of Peter Pan's copyright. Her work has been translated into 44 languages worldwide. She has received the Carnegie Medal twice and the Michael L. Printz Award among others.

Reviews

[Repix Pix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Las adaptaciones de Geraldine son una maravilla.

[Barbara DaCosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This version of Moby Dick presents Herman Melville's complete story line. I came across this book while researching for my own work Mighty Moby, and really enjoyed McCaughren's adaptation of this classic. She was able to capture the majesty of the story, and the poetic elegance of Melville's writing while making it her own original work. She also did this without talking down to a younger audience or calling attention to her writing unecessarily. The illustrations are fabulous.

[Zoe Kennard]

The problem with abridging an 800 page novel from 1851 into a 100 page picture book is that the things I found charming in the original (the homoeroticism and the digressions about dubiously accurate whale facts) are of course the first things to be cut, leaving behind mostly just the racism and depression. I'm also fascinated by the choice to add an epilogue that somehow makes it even more dismal. I do sort of like the illustrations though.

[Kalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s be real, I was never going to read the original full version of Moby Dick. That’s not the kind of reader I am. That’s why I like this book so much. It gives me all the knowledge I need to answer Jeopardy questions and some very splendid pictures to help my imagination along.

[Gig Wailgum · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting take on the classic. did not like the beginning but the middle and end were strong. illustrations were excellent.

[Kátia Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que história linda! Que obsessão trágica!Uma lição para aprendermos que a vingança não traz paz de espírito. Perdoar/esquecer e seguir em frente é o melhor remédio.

[Glenn Banks · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s ok

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the original--I hear it's boring and slow in the vast middle--so I think we just got all the action in this Oxford Illustrated version! My children enjoyed listening to me read it to them.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned more history of the sea and sparked memories of a childhood spent near the ocean.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm recommending this for the illustrations. Victor Ambrus at his best!