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Moby-Dick or, The Whale

Herman Melville

Start date: October 1, 2022

Finish date: October 31, 2022

Discussion: Lesser Know Classics

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What Members Thought

Oct 05, 2023 Shirley (stampartiste) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-classics, classics-500-plus-pages, read-date-unknown, published-1899-and-earlier, to-read-in-2023

Moby-Dick or, The Whale was one of those big-book classics that I promised myself to read again one day (I read it in my high school American Literature class before time began, and I remember hating it). A few years ago, it moved up my TBR ladder a couple of steps when I discovered Herman Melville’s short story, Bartleby the Scrivener. Melville’s humor completely caught me off guard, and I thoroughly enjoyed that story. In looking over my potential reads in 2023, I thought it was time to go ahe Moby-Dick or, The Whale was one of those big-book classics that I promised myself to read again one day (I read it in my high school American Literature class before time began, and I remember hating it). A few years ago, it moved up my TBR ladder a couple of steps when I discovered Herman Melville’s short story, Bartleby the Scrivener. Melville’s humor completely caught me off guard, and I thoroughly enjoyed that story. In looking over my potential reads in 2023, I thought it was time to go ahead and get on with Moby Dick.

As I wrote in another review, reading Nathaniel Philbrick’s Why Read Moby-Dick? greatly enhanced my interest in reading Moby Dick. So I went into Moby Dick with a completely different mindset. And I’m glad I did.

This time around, I thoroughly enjoyed Moby Dick. As readers know, Melville left no stone (or whale) unturned in writing this encyclopedic novel about whales, and particularly about the sperm whale. After reading Melville’s never-ending digressions, there is nothing a reader could not tell you about whales, the whaling industry, whale men, whale ships, whale habitats, whale oil and whale oil extraction, processing and storage, etc. etc. etc. Even though that may all sound so boring, it actually wasn’t. Melville’s highly developed sense of humor prevented that. I had to chuckle to myself when he went off on another tangent. I felt like I was there for the ride, and I was ready to go where he would lead.

As to the characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the developing relationship between the American narrator Ishmael and the Polynesian harpooner, Queequeg. So I was disappointed that Queequeg became a minor character once he went aboard the whaling ship Pequod. The forces of good versus evil to me were exemplified by Starbuck, the Quaker first mate of the Pequod, and Captain Ahab whose obsession for revenge against the white sperm whale doomed the voyage from the start. Starbuck was a good man, with no power to change Ahab or the destiny of the men on the ship.

Moby Dick was a gripping story and is a great reminder of the hard, dirty work and determination that many men were willing to do to earn a living. Life was uncertain, and death a constant companion. It made me appreciate those who went before me and whose endeavors made my life so much easier. ...more

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Jan 27, 2021 Tim Callicutt rated it liked it

Shelves: 100-essential-novels, 2021-books

Let's talk about obsession. There are many ways to approach the topic, but I would argue that it can be found in its purest form in the minds of small children. If you've ever had the pleasure of chatting with a kid who has become obsessed over something mundane, you've probably had a similar experience to reading this novel. While the passion is admirable, and there are a few interesting gems tucked within, the conversation is mostly an exercise in patience. It is aimless and full of things you Let's talk about obsession. There are many ways to approach the topic, but I would argue that it can be found in its purest form in the minds of small children. If you've ever had the pleasure of chatting with a kid who has become obsessed over something mundane, you've probably had a similar experience to reading this novel. While the passion is admirable, and there are a few interesting gems tucked within, the conversation is mostly an exercise in patience. It is aimless and full of things you didn't really need to know.

Let's start with the positives here. There's no denying that Melville is an excellent writer. Even though the book was a slog at times, that was due to content, not the actual prose. When I found myself disconnected from the big picture, the action of reading (or listening) to Melville's words was still pleasant. This isn't to say that Melville doesn't have the ability to come up with a killer plot. If you want to understand why this book is a classic, just read the climactic battle with Moby Dick. It's a masterclass in literary adventure. The throughline of Fedallah's prophecy also provides a sense of narrative depth. I would argue that the climax itself makes the book worth it.

Also, Melville knows how to write good characters. Each character felt distinct. This is impressive especially after we hit the Pequod and meet its extensive crew (not to mention the bit parts we get in all the gams). On the boat, Ahab obviously sticks out. Everything that man spoke was pure poetry. Maybe the kind of poetry you get from a raving lunatic hanging out it in the subway, but poetry nonetheless. I really wish that he had appeared more than he did. Melville is wise to anchor the book around Ishmael and (to a lesser extent) Queequeg. Ishmael offers a steady hand as he narrates the adventure - he strikes a good balance between personal investment and dispassionate observance. Queequeg, on the other hand, is quite a character. Melville is certainly hampered by his own historical context here, but considering the time, he gives us a remarkably sympathetic portrayal. I did not expect Melville to extend that level of empathy to a Polynesian cannibal. Ishmael and Queequeg's relationship is fascinating, and after the first few chapters I had high hopes that this would be one of my books of the year.

However, Moby Dick won't be on that list. At no point will I challenge its place in the canon. Heck, there's a strong possibility I'll reread it in the future - something exceedingly rare for me as my TBR list keeps growing. However, for a novel about obsession, there is a distinct lack of focus. It turns out Melville is that kid from the beginning. There's passion and interest here, but just as things get going, we'll have a long philosophical discourse on the color white or a not-so-quick detour through "cetology for beginners." While these diversions are of occasional interest they come off as unnecessary at best. They severely hamper the pace. And even their attempts at introspection get drowned out by all the details.

I've not done the research to see if there's a legitimately good abridged version of this novel, but it would benefit from that treatment. There's a masterpiece here somewhere, but the place needs to be tidied up a bit before you can see it for all its glory.
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Feb 12, 2019 Jannah mohamed rated it did not like it

I couldn't finish the book, because I hated reading this book. Especially because the book kept on going off the story and talking about other things. Most people probably enjoyed reading the book, but even through kept on trying to finish the book. but I just couldn't bring myself to finish it. ...more

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May 12, 2019 Jill rated it did not like it · review of another edition

This book is the emperor's new clothes. Didn't like it, but that could have something to do with the alacrity with which I read it for a required class. ...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Steve Knier rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction

Jan 21, 2013 Neeria marked it as to-read

May 24, 2013 Alana marked it as to-read

Dec 16, 2022 Cleo rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, american-history, american-literature

17 likes · Like

Jul 20, 2014 Library Nymph rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, american-lit, rory-gilmore-challenge

Aug 24, 2014 Sandra marked it as to-read

Shelves: before-i-die, classics

Dec 11, 2014 Devon marked it as to-read

Jan 15, 2015 Dale marked it as to-read

Apr 05, 2015 Ryan marked it as to-read

Apr 29, 2015 Julinda Hopkins marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle

May 09, 2015 Ileana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favorites, will-reread

1 like · Like

Jan 16, 2024 Elena rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1000-guardian, 1001-books, own, usa

Jan 03, 2019 Yefim rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, audiobooks, psychological-drama, historical-novel, classics, pre-ww1-fiction, slooowwww, philosophy, books-in-english, literary-fiction