Moby-Dick or, the Whale - Buddy Read

[Laura]

@Frances - no problem! :)
I was happy to fix it - just about to get stuck into the introduction etc today in prep for starting properly tomorrow :)

[Shaina]

I just finished that bit. Happy reading, Laura!

[Laura]

Yep - enjoyed the intro in my version and the Extracts. So excited to get started tomorrow!

[Shaina]

Ok..I'm starting with MD the ebook and listening to the audiobook suggested by Lazy reader. Hot chocolate to go along with it.

Will report after I finish chapter 3.

[Shaina]

Ok. I felt a little lost with certain terms like battery, hypos, mole, Corlears hook etc. For those who feel the same please use this excellent link.

http://www.powermobydick.com/Moby001....

[Samuel]

I made a spreadsheet with Laura's schedule to keep track of my progress. Here it is in case someone else wants to use it.

I'm getting a good first impression out of the book so far, it feels really well written, although it's putting my English to the test with all the sailing/whaling jargon. Thanks so much for the link, Shaina

[Nóri]

Hey guys, is it still okay to join? I have other stuff lined up for November but I really want to read this, and hopefully I can manage three chapters a day :)

[adele]

You guys are amazing. Shaina, that link is going to be INVALUABLE while reading this. THANK YOU!! Also I’m already a bit behind. Good start. But I really like the voice it’s written in so far so I’m excited for the rest of it!

[Frances]

Shaina wrote: "Ok. I felt a little lost with certain terms like battery, hypos, mole, Corlears hook etc. For those who feel the same please use this excellent link.

http://www.powermobydick.com/Moby001...."

Oooh, thank you for this, @Shaina. I was having such a hard time with the flow of the book. MD made me feel so dumb. 😫

Thank you too, Kaiser for the Spreadsheet. Yours is prettier than mine.

Welcome, Nóri! 🤗

Does anyone have an illustration of Ishmael to share?

[Shaina]

Kaisser, thank you for sharing the spreadsheet. I'm kinda old school and use my dairy and pencil to track progress.

[Shaina]

Welcome, Nori. Your just in time. Good luck!

[Shaina]

Kaisser, Adele and Frances..most welcome and I'm happy I found that link too.

I'm enjoying the book so far. I found Ishmael funny. I was laughing out loud when I read " A peddler of heads too—perhaps the heads of his own brothers. He might take a fancy to mine—heavens! "

[Laura]

Nóri wrote: "Hey guys, is it still okay to join? I have other stuff lined up for November but I really want to read this, and hopefully I can manage three chapters a day :)"

Of course - please join us :)

[Laura]

I'll try and do a wee summary as we go - I can't promise to do this every day but France Andree does this for Brother's Karamazov and it works really well!

SUMMARIES
Chapter 1 - Loomings
(view spoiler)[
We meet Ishmael. He observes how humans are attracted to bodies of water. Describes himself as being a sailor (not a passenger) and explains the recent decision to join a whaling ship.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 - Carpet Bag
(view spoiler)[
Ishmael arrives in New Bedford and has to wait a few days before being able to travel onward to Nantucket. He explains why he wants to start from Nantucket. He doesn't have much money so goes in search of cheap lodgings and stumbles across the Spouter Inn
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 - The Spouter Inn
(view spoiler)[
Ishmael describes the Inn, its landlord and other characters. He's told he'll have to share a bed with a harpooneer. He builds an imaginary picture of his potential bedmate and decides to try and find elsewhere to sleep - unsuccessfully. The harpooneer is late returning - he's out "peddling heads" as the landlord tells Ishmael. He decides to share the bead and forms a stranger image of his bedmate from the trappings he sees in the room. He wakes when the harpooneer returns and is initially terrified of him as being a "Savage". The landlord helps resolve any understanding and he decides the harpooner is ok - he's called Queequeg.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

THOUGHTS
So I loved these opening few chapters!
I've taken an immediate liking to Ishmael - he's funny! He's self deprecating but also very intelligent it seems - from the various references thrown in amongst his anecdotes.

I feel like a picture of the life of a sailor has been created and I'm excited to see what happens next.

(view spoiler)[
Are we to assume that Ishmael is from money? In ch 1 he mentions being from an "old" family and having been a schoolteacher?
(hide spoiler)]

[Shaina]

Laura, thank you for that summary. I'm sure we will be grateful for it in a few days.

I found Ishmael funny as well.I found him quite street smart too. The thought of him being from an old family did cross my mind when I read that line, however I realised he had not shared anything about his past but anecdotes about others. So I assumed this to be similar information.

[Storm]

I think this book is off to a solid start. Ish (I already gave him a nickname as I write notes in the margins lol) has a great narration voice.

Laura I actually assumed the opposite, and thought he did not come from money because he makes many more references and jokes about having no money. But those two things can go together, coming from money but having none now.

[Laura]

@ Shaina and @Storm

I'm going to copy the nickname and call him "Ish" too - I love it!

I wondered abot the money thing - it seems liks he talks of his own experience but now he has little money in his current way of life. I wonder if we'll find out?

[Laura]

2nd NOV

SUMMARIES

Chapter 4 - The Counterpane
(view spoiler)[
Ish awaks to find Queequeg's arm around him. After some efforts to wake Q he finally manages. An amusing description is given of Q's toilet/ablutions efforts. He uses his harpoon to shave.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5 - Breakfast
(view spoiler)[
Ish explains there's no ill feeling towards the landlord about his joking the previous night. The Sailors sit for breakfast but are very quiet. Q uses his harpoon to eat.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 - The Street
(view spoiler)[
The streets of New Bedford are described. Many colourful characters people the streets. Young men wanting to become whalers are spotted. There are beautiful houses and the money comes from whale oil.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

2nd Nov

THOUGHTS
I'm still loving it. I'm actually laughing out loud and finding Ishmael's narration really amusing so far. He has a kind of wry self-deprecating observational humour and he's not afraid to laugh at himself.
Despite Queequeg's being an unusual character, Ishmael seems quite open minded towards him (perhaps unsual in the times?)

I'm loving his various cultural references (although I'm heavily relying on the notes). I feel like his character is being established as an intelligent, educated and insightful/sympathetic character. I really like him already! I'm excited to see how the relationship with Queequeg develops - I think they'll be an interesting pair!

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog]

Not sure if it matter if he comes from money. My suspicion is that he is an educated "landlubber" taking to sea on something like a whim
This makes him a good "one of us" who can help ease us into a world that tended to be its own universe.

I have seen it argued that a full rigged ship represented one of the most complex technologies of its time. What the Pequod will be to "Ish" (that is kinda cute) would be like one of us hitching a ride on the space shuttle.

[Andy]

Okay, so I had a horrendous migraine on the 1st and am already playing catch up (both here and With Brother Karamazov) however, I have finished the first three chapters and I have so many thoughts and feeling!

So I tried to pick up this book when I was in highschool and abandoned it after a few pages. However, reading it now? I fell instantly in love with it.

Chapter one: (view spoiler)[ He has a serious case of wanderlust so beautifully described that I could instantly put myself in his shoes (it wasn't hard as I once wanted to walk across the US). Ish goes out of his way to explain that he has no money and is going to be working for his adventure, and the line 'a purse is but a rag unless you have something in it' was pretty great. And as someone drawn to water the part about meditation, water and the magic and mythological (Narcissus and Poseidon) references just drew me in. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Two: I felt like he was bit rambley in this chapter, but it was short so I didn't mind.

Chapter Three: (view spoiler)[ So much was covered in this chapter. The description of the Spouters Inn was sublime and reminded me of some lines out of classic Gothic Literature. Ish so far kind of concerns me, he goes from cool as a cucumber to flying off the handle at the drop of a hat (mostly with the Inn Keeper). He also talks about tricking his then unknown bedfellow without due cause other then, he wanted a room to himself. It denotes a certain sense of selfishness.

His room mate took me rather by surprise. "better to sleep with a sober cannibal then a drunken Christian". Although I couldn't tell if that last line in the chapter was suppose to be sarcastic or not: "and I have never slept better in my life." If he was serious about never sleeping better then next to a unknown cannibal I would like to throw some serious shade onto his sanity. But then it begs the question of the use of the word Cannibal. Is it used in the serious man-eating way or the same way people use to say 'savages' or 'barbarians' ? (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ Here we get a bit of a look into his past. He says his stepmother beats him and that he lives in a three storied house. which can tie back to what everyone has been saying about the money. My guess is that he grew up in a wealthy household but rather 'Cinderella'-esque with his relations, explaining why he grew up to be a relatively poor school teacher.
This chapter also has an excellent description of the 'sleep paralysis demon' altho all it did was hold his hand.

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5: It exists. It serves to say that no hard feelings were had.

Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[
The part that really interested me about this chapter was the second reference (that I caught anyway) to Salem. "-Save in Salem, where they tell me the young girls breathe such musk, their sailor sweethearts smell them miles from shore-" if it was just referencing the town, it wouldn't have caught my eye but this is the second time it specifically mentions the ladies. It gave me strong witchy vibes.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

3rd NOV

SUMMARIES

Chapter 7 - The Chapel
(view spoiler)[Ish visits and describes the chapel - with its many plaques to lost fisherman. He describes the congregation and the widows among them. Queequeg is there. Ish contemplates grief and faith and life and death. He contrasts this threat of death with the attraction of whaling and how it still appeals to him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8 - The Pulpit
(view spoiler)[We meet the chaplain Father Mapple - seemling a former sailor and harpooneer himself. His pulpit is also very suited to a church which serves sailors, resembling the bow of a ship and reached by climbing a rope ladder, also as if climbing aboard a ship. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9 - The Sermon
(view spoiler)[Father Maple preaches the story of Jonah and the Whale - how Jonah disobeyed God and tried to run from him. Although his money bought him passage on a ship he couldn't hide from God and the storm found him. Upon being cast overboard he is swallowed by a whale and only then truly repents. He doesn't ask for deliverance but leaves his punishment to God. He's spat out from the Whale and saved to go on and preach God's truth. The pastor explains that Jonah is a bad example due to his sins but good example of repentance.
The sermon advises that men should remain true to God and not be swerved from that path no matter how difficult. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

3rd NOV

THOUGHTS

These chapters were less humorous but I feel they laid some important foundations.
(view spoiler)[
The description of the Chapel congregation highlights what a risky business it is to go to sea as a whaler. I wonder how many of the characters we're about to meet will survive?
The three different ways the men dies - overboard, towed away by a whale and killed by a sperm whale - these seem to be setting the whale up as the enemy also.
It was interesting that Q was there. Also Ish observes that "he was the only one that cannot read" as this stage he doesn't really know Q so this can only be assumption because he's a "savage" - probably a fair one but still.
I liked the description of Father Mapple and his pulpit - he seems a fitting chaplain for a seafaring and whaling community.
I wonder if the sermon is an indication of the morality of the book? It will be interesting to see if there are religious lessons offered throughout.
(hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

So I was trying to find a statistic on the mortality rate of sailors in the 1840's (ish) and I ran across this. Its for Glouster specifically but there is a lot of really great information about the fishing industry in general.
American History On The Water

[Samuel]

I'm intrigued about where the book is going. After the sermon it's likely that the book will go beyond whaling and explore Ish's character in depth.

[Frances]

I found this online. I hope it will be helpful rather than overwhelming.

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literatur...

[Laura]

@Andy and @Frances thank you! both those sources look really helpful. It's interesting to see the pictures of the whaling implements, I'm sure they will be useful going forward.
@Kaisser yeah I agree, I'm really looking forward to how the whaling aspect ties in with other themes.

[Andy]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ Do you have any idea how many books and short fictions I have read? Particularly ones that use the term 'bearskin'? I thought it meant made from the literal pelt of a bear.... It's made from wool. And this is exactly why I read, if I hadn't I might have gone on thinking that. So I learned a thing today.

I don't know why but this line struck me as particularly beautiful:
"But Faith, like a jackal, feeds among the tombs, and even from these dead doubts she gathers her most vital hope."
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ Is it just me or does that church feel more like a shrine to the sea? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ Since this chapter had so much to do with Jonah and the Whale I decided I would dust off my never read bible and read that section so I knew what it was all about. I don't know about other versions but Whale is never mentioned once. It just says 'large fish' in mine. (hide spoiler)]

[Shaina]

Andy, I love how you share your thoughts from every chapter. What stuck me from chapter 7 was these lines:
how it is that we still refuse to be comforted for those who we nevertheless maintain are dwelling in unspeakable bliss; why all the living so strive to hush all the dead; wherefore but the rumor of a knocking in a tomb will terrify a whole city. All these things are not without their meanings.

[Shaina]

Kaisser, thank you for the link. It is quite interesting. I loved the get your fish posters.

[Frances]

Shaina wrote: "Andy, I love how you share your thoughts from every chapter. What stuck me from chapter 7 was these lines:
how it is that we still refuse to be comforted for those who we nevertheless maintain are ..."

I really liked this one, @Shaina, from Ch 7 also:

(view spoiler)[
Methinks we have hugely mistaken this matter of Life and Death. Methinks that what they call my shadow here on earth is my true substance. Methinks that in looking at things spiritual, we are too much like oysters observing the sun through the water, and thinking that thick water the thinnest of air. Methinks my body is but the lees of my better being. In fact take my body who will, take it I say, it is not me."

-it sounds like what should be written on a tombstone. And it sounds like something that would comfort those who are grieving who are left behind

(hide spoiler)]

[Shaina]

Yes! I too loved that line. Thank you, Frances. I felt I was maybe being over emotional and so didn't mention it. I'm glad someone else also liked it.

[Samuel]

(view spoiler)[@Andy, the bible I had laying around also talked about "a great fish". It reminds me of the forbidden fruit, which is never specified, yet in art it's portrayed as an apple. Perhaps it's the same case with the great fish.

@Frances, that quote felt very important. It seems like Ishmael is accepting of death should it come, although it's easy to hold that stance while still safe from danger.
(hide spoiler)]

[Shaina]

Kaisser, in the first chapter Ishmael already states:

This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship.

I think this means he is prepared for death.

Even in chapter 7 after he states the lines Frances quoted he says:

In fact take my body who will, take it I say, it is not me. 

[Frances]

Shaina wrote: "Kaisser, in the first chapter Ishmael already states:

This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship.

I th..."

Yes, Shaina!!! I saw that too!!! I'm so glad I'm not reading this book alone. It would be so lonely enjoying MB by myself. And to think so many people are saying this is such a boring book....

BTW, has anyone noticed that so far, the themes have been broken down into chapters of 3? The introduction were the first 3 chapters. He settled into town (Ch4-6). He was in church for Ch7-9. And he is getting to know Q for Ch10-12. I wonder if this will be the same for the rest of the book? If so, then our plan of 3ch/day was a good one. 🤗

[Laura]

Andy wrote: "Chapter 7 Do you have any idea how many books and short fictions I have read? Particularly ones that use the term 'bearskin'? I thought it meant made from the literal pelt of a bear.... It's made ..."

I did NOT know that about Bearskin - every day is a school day!
I also underline that exact quote from CHapter 7!

[Laura]

@Frances
I didn't notice that about the theme breakdown into 3 chapter - great observation!

I agree it's nice to have companions for reading this.
I loved Chapter 7 and definitely feel it gives us an insight into his philosophy of life.

[Laura]

NOV 4th

SUMMARIES

Chapter 10 - A Bosom Friend
(view spoiler)[Ishmael returns to the Spouter and sees Queequeg carving and counting the pages in a book. He admires his contentedness and tries to catch his attention. They converse a little by looking through the book together and Quequeg swears eternal friendship. Ishmael faces a dilemma whether to woship his idol with Queequeg and then decides to join him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11 - Nightgown
(view spoiler)[They once again share the bed - quite comfortably and continue chatting. They awake and sit snug against the cold. Queequeg smokes and starts to tell his story (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12 - Biographical
(view spoiler)[Queeqeug from an island Rokovoko, not on any maps. He comes from distinguished lineage - his father a King. He wanted to broaden his horizons. When a visiting ship refuses to take him on board he follows it in his canoe and jumps on board. He's allowed to stay and becomes a harpooneer. He had hoped to learn from Christendom and return enlightened to his people but he's seem that Christian men are also despondent. He's not ready to return home yet. He learns of Ishmael's plan and swears to join him. Ish quite happy at this. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapters 10 - 12 - THOUGHTS

I love these two!
(view spoiler)[
I love the friendship that's developing between Ishmael and Queequeg. I wonder whether Ishmael's assessment of Queequeg as a savage makes the relationship more naive than if it were another character he was getting to know. Ishmael's initial reservation about having to share a bed is now cast aside.

I loved the line " You cannot hide the soul" Ish seems some dignity and spirit in Queequeg.
I also likes how Ishmael questioned "What is worship?" and how he justified this to himself whilst joining Q in what I guess he deemed "idolatrous". Interesting open-minded interpretation of his Christian beliefs.

Loving these 2 characters and their developing friendship. I see Queeqeug saving Ishmael's life perhaps in the future.
(hide spoiler)]

[Storm]

Shaina you are right! I have loved that the three chapter division has been theme driven. I also have liked that there seems to be a balance of shorter and longer chapters. I hope that continues.

Here are some completely random observations of mine that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet.

(view spoiler)[Chapter 7 (I think) when he's looking at the graves, there may have been a little nod to Shakespeare. The first grave has the name John Talbot which is the big hero general from Henry VI, part 1.

Chapter 9: I had to chuckle to myself that the sermon was on Jonah at all because, of course. It was mentioned earlier but yes; most translations say Big Fish and not whale. I was curious whether this was true for mid-1800 bibles. He mentions Sodom and Gomorrah briefly in this chapter which made me think of how the word homosexual isn't in the Bible until the early 1900s. I also laughed at how the pastor talked in the sailor theme lingo (calling the congregation sailors). I know he was previously a sailor but his over the top language reminded me of the Series of Unfortunate Events books where every character in each book was so very much into whatever the theme of that individual book was.

Chapter 10: After reading the intro chapters, I thought Ish would befriend his cannibal on the boat by necessity. But that is obviously not the case. I wonder if one of the reasons for the initial poor reception to the novel was his close (by choice) friendship to a black pagan. This chapter also firmly added this book to the ever growing list me and my friends have titled "Does every classic novel have homoerotic undertones?" (hide spoiler)]

[Shaina]

Storm, thank you for sharing that Shakespeare connection. I haven't read any (sadly) but will keep it in mind for future reference.

I wasn't aware of the word homosexual not being in the Bible till the 1900s. It is a very interesting fact. I would be happy to read more if you could share a link where I can find this information.

[Laura]

Storm - I love your observations. There are some strong homoerotic undertones but I'm trying to ask myself if that's me reading as a modern reader and whether they would have been perceived in that way when the book was written? I honestly don't know.

[Storm]

@Shaina It may be a one time thing, but I'm definitely going to keep a little eye out to see if my boy Willy Shakes comes up again. And yes! I first heard about it in philosophy class in college. I looked it up again to double check. The original Hebrew word more directly meant abuser and wasn't translated to "homosexual" in English until 1946. There are a million articles if you wanna look more into it, but here is an interview to get you started.

@Laura I do wonder what the then current audience might have thought as they read it. Not just about that part, but everything. Like what little pop culture references do I miss that they would chuckle at. But I definitely think you're right about them not perceiving those undertones in such an obvious way. Classical works are chock full of moments like these. The way things are worded hit our ears so differently; a modern author wouldn't write a best friend scene like that without romantic intentions. At least, I don't think they would unless they wanted there to be a line of confusion lol.

[Laura]

NOV 5
SUMMARIES

Chapter 13 - Wheelbarrow
(view spoiler)[
Ish and Q load their gear onto a wheelbarrow and head for the ship. The landlord and folk in the pub find their sudden friendship amusing and as they're walking along the street the folk of New Bedford also find them an unusual pairing.
They exchange stories of cultural misunderstandings - Q when he first tried to use a wheelbarrow and he tells of a Captain visiting his island and misunderstanding the use of a ceremonial bowl at a wedding.
On board the ship they again cause confusion by their friendship and some passenger mocks Q who thrown him around a bit but does no serious harm. The Captain warns him but then the ship's boom gets loose and knocks Q's tormentor overboard, causing chaos. Q sorts it all out - secures the boom and saves the man overboard. He's modest when being offered reward.
Ishmael sticks by Q from then on.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14 - Nantucket
(view spoiler)[
Nantucket is described as a tiny, sandy island where wood is scarce and precious. The origin story of it being found by an Indian tribe after an eagle carried off a child and desposited him there. They found the island and made a life there gradually mastering the sea and fishing and sailing.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15 - Chowder
(view spoiler)[
They arrive in Nantucket late and only have time to look for food and lodging. They were recommended an Inn by the Innkeeper in New Bedford - his cousin. Despite confusing directions, they find it. Ishmael finds the pots hanging from masts outside ominous as it makes him think of a gallows. They enjoy the chowder. On thie way to bed the landlady won't let Queequeg take his harpoon becasue of a previous incident when a tenant was killed (killed himself?) They head to be and order chowder for breakfast
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

NOV 5

THOUGHTS

Chapters 13 - 15
Feeling like there is a sense of foreboding creeping in.
(view spoiler)[
I felt like these chapters were a little heavier. Although there are amusing interludes with the stories of the wheelbarrow misunderstandings etc, I got a sense of imminent doom. Ishmael mentions that he:
"..clove to Queequeg like a barnacle; yea, till poor Queequeg took his last long dive."
So we know that somewhere in the story Queequeg is going to perish!
Also upon finding the Inn - the gallows like structure outside seems foreboding to Ishmael.
I feel like these are heralds of doom. Also I wonder if there will be significance in Q not having been allowed to take his harpoon up to bed with him.

Anyway they're in Nantucket and I'm eagerly aticipating them finally going to sea!

(hide spoiler)]

[Samuel]

I'm going to try to articulate some thoughts after chapters 16-18:

(view spoiler)[Ishmael picks a ship to embark on in these chapters. He opts for the Pequod, a ship named after a tribe that went extinct. This choice, taken in conjunction with everything our reading club pointed so far, adds to the feeling of apprehension.

We also get to meet the two major stakeholders in the ship, Captains Peleg and Bildad, who have contrasting personalities. Cpt. Peleg feels more like an old seaman who doesn't concern himself too much with spiritual thoughts while Cpt. Bildad is a very pious man and also quite hypocritical, quoting the Bible to tell Ish not to want for a big paycheck while simultaneously being a very stingy man himself, as seen in how much he meant to pay Ish and how he saves trifling patches and twines during the sail repairs at the end of ch. 18.

We also get a description of the actual captain of the ship, who seems like a really interesting character. I'm looking forward to meeting him. (hide spoiler)]

[Frances]

Scentofabook aka Saanj wrote: "Storm wrote: "Shaina you are right! I have loved that the three chapter division has been theme driven. I also have liked that there seems to be a balance of shorter and longer chapters. I hope tha..."

@Saanj, I learned nada in literature in school, so don’t feel bad. Shakespeare? We were made to read The Merchant of Venice and the The Odyssey, but we understood diddly squat of it. We didn’t read any other classics either. We had literature in Filipino, English, and Spanish -all lousy. That’s why I’m “catching up”. 🤗

[Laura]

I think I'll have to give up the summaries as I won't always have time. Sorry!

Tonights THOUGHTS

Chapter 16 - The Ship
(view spoiler)[
So Ish is left to decide on a ship himself, according to advice from Q's wee idol - he settles upon the Pequod.
As @Kaiser mentions - the naming of the ship after an obliterated trib may not bode well.
I felt sure we were going to finally meet Ahab...but not yet!
We meet Peleg and Bildad - contrasting characters. It seemed like they were almost doing a good-cop/bad-cop act when deciding what to pay Ishmael. I felt like they may have swindled him a bit - maybe not - but he settles for less than he'd hoped.
The ship sounds characterful from the descriptions.
Lost of mystery is built surrounding Ahab. We know he lost his leg in the last voyage and he's been moody but Peleg assures Ishmael that he's a good man and this mood will pass. Ishmael feels a mystery surrounding Ahab and is keen to meet him.

It's hard to read this chapter and feel suspense. As a modern reader you already "know" about Captain Ahab. I can appreciate the suspense being built here though.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17 - The Ramadan
(view spoiler)[
I felt this chapter was a bit hysterical! Why do they all jump to the concusion that something terrible has happened? Anyway Ishmael is at pains to say how open minded he is about religion....but there's a line and he loses patience with Q's enduring devotions. He tries to persuade Q to his way of thinking but to no avail.

I wonder if this chapter was to show us how open minded Ishmael is, or to foreshadow that Q's devotions may be problematic in the future? Interesting.....
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18 - His Mark
(view spoiler)[
Ishmael takes Q to the Pequod. At first the Captains are reluctant to employ a savage but a bit of hairsplitting arguing by Ishmael persuades them - that and a demonstration of Queequeg's prowess with a harpoon. They offer Queequeg a large lay. I was impressed by this - Cpt Peleg seems to overcome any prejudice pretty quickly when he sees what a valuable crew member Q will be.
I did laugh when they called Q hedgehog by accident! Annoying that Cpt P kept getting his name wrong but interesting how he managed his signature.

So they're all set for sea - now to meet Ahab!
(hide spoiler)]