Moby-Dick or, the Whale - Buddy Read

[Laura]

I am getting impatient to finish so I think personally I'll pick up the pace and try and finish by Sun instead of next Wed. I have loads of other books on my Dec tbr so it'll be good to tick one off and I'm so keen to find out what happens!
I've modified my schedule for the next few days to this:

09/12/2020 115 - 119
10/12/2020 120 - 123
11/12/2020 124 - 128
12/12/2020 129 - 132
13/12/2020 133 - Epilogue

I'll continue to tag spoilers etc.
I'm excited to finish this!

[Frances]

Thank you, @Laura! Need surgery to put some screws to stabilize the vertebrae, but postponed since I'm not in danger of paralysis as long as I don't do any cartwheels, drive racecars, or ride rollercoasters. I have to be mindful of reading position. We all have to be, actually.

I'll be burning the midnight oil these next 2 days to catch up with you guys. I'm embarrassed that I'm not contributing to the discussion. By the way, "burning the midnight oil" -sperm oil?!!!

[Laura]

Oh my goodness - that sounds severe! Take care of yourself!

I'm glad you're still reading along - no worries about catching up. Nice to know there's still a wee posse of us.

[Nóri]

I'm still here too, only at chapter 85 :( I'm reading all your comments as I progress, but I don't think I'm going to be able to catch up... I'll just continue tagging along behind :)

[Frances]

Laura wrote: "I am getting impatient to finish so I think personally I'll pick up the pace and try and finish by Sun instead of next Wed. I have loads of other books on my Dec tbr so it'll be good to tick one of..."

Oh wow! Way to go, @Laura!!! Please do check in on us even after you have finished. 😘

[Samuel]

I'll follow your new schedule as well Laura, finishing MD earlier would help me catch up in the Anna K buddy read. And the book has become really exciting lately.

About chapter 112 (view spoiler)[I also thought of the drink as the cause of the turn of events in the blacksmith's life but I wasn't sure if I interpreted it correctly. Happy to see you arrived at the same conclusion Laura (hide spoiler)]

[Shaina]

Frances wrote: "Thank you, @Laura! Need surgery to put some screws to stabilize the vertebrae, but postponed since I'm not in danger of paralysis as long as I don't do any cartwheels, drive racecars, or ride rolle..."

Frances, this sounds quite serious. I think audiobooks might be helpful and please don't perform any cartwheels ; ) I do have a sore neck sometimes due to bad reading habits. I think I will be more careful in the future.

Please take care!

[Shaina]

Laura, I might speed up too. I can say how much I'll read a day but, I too think it's time to finish the book soon. Let's see how it goes.

Kaisser@ I see you are now moonlighting as Samuel ; ) How do we address you?

[Shaina]

Did anyone enjoy Stubb's horoscope analogy in chapter 99? I found it hilarious. (view spoiler)[ To begin: there's Aries, or the Ram—lecherous dog, he begets us; then, Taurus, or the Bull—he bumps us the first thing; then Gemini, or the Twins—that is, Virtue and Vice; we try to reach Virtue, when lo! comes Cancer the Crab, and drags us back; and here, going from Virtue, Leo, a roaring Lion, lies in the path—he gives a few fierce bites and surly dabs with his paw; we escape, and hail Virgo, the Virgin! that's our first love; we marry and think to be happy for aye, when pop comes Libra, or the Scales—happiness weighed and found wanting; and while we are very sad about that, Lord! how we suddenly jump, as Scorpio, or the Scorpion, stings us in rear; we are curing the wound, when whang come the arrows all round; Sagittarius, or the Archer, is amusing himself. As we pluck out the shafts, stand aside; here's the battering-ram, Capricornus, or the Goat; full tilt, he comes rushing, and headlong we are tossed; when Aquarius, or the Water- bearer, pours out his whole deluge and drowns us; and to wind up with Pisces, or the Fishes, we sleep. (hide spoiler)]

[Shaina]

About chapter 112 (view spoiler)[I'm using the powermobydick link to read while I listen to the audiobook, so the reference to alcohol was mention. It didn't strike me till then. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Shaina wrote: "Did anyone enjoy Stubb's horoscope analogy in chapter 99? I found it hilarious. [spoilers removed]"


I agree - I think Stubb's character is pretty witty and this did make me chuckle!

[Laura]

Samuel wrote: "I'll follow your new schedule as well Laura, finishing MD earlier would help me catch up in the Anna K buddy read. And the book has become really exciting lately.

About chapter 112 [spoilers removed]"

Great!
@Frances- I'll definitely keep checking in to follow everyone's thoughts and chat :)

[Samuel]

@Shaina, I loved that chapter as well, specially the "horoscope". I don't mind being referred to one way or another :), I changed my username because I noticed almost everybody uses the first name in Goodreads.

Chapters 115-119
(view spoiler)[
Ahab is kind of losing it. In The Quadrant he broke the tool of that name and swore off using any of the navigational equipment. He seems to think that fate will bring MD and him together for their confrontation.

Two chapters struck me as particulary important, The Whale Watch and The Candles.

In the first one Fedallah makes a prophecy concerning Ahab, we'll see how it takes place. It looks like Ahab's and Fedallah's interpretation of it doesn't match. A lot of mistery around Fedallah, I'm starting to agree with Stubb (or was it Starbuck?), and see him as a personification of the devil or at least, Ahab's darkness.

The Candles was an ominous chapter. Ahab goes on a rant of open defiance against God and the crew got scared of him. I think after this chapter they lost all hope in the voyage and Ahab's judgement. I have a feeling Starbuck will be forced to make a move.

I didn't know St. Elmo's Fire was a thing. No surprise it arises superstition among the sailors.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Oh my goodness - those last few chapters were amazing!

Chapter 115: The Pequod meets the Bachelor - 119: The Candles

(view spoiler)[
The suspense is building!
We see in eth bachelor such a contrast to the Pequod. A ship with amazing success, celebrating on her way home. Quite a different picture and atmosphere to that of the Pequod!
I wonder why Ahab has the vial of Nantucket soil? Perhaps he suspects he'll never actually set foot on it again? More foreboding!

In the Dying Whale and Whale Watch - it seems Ahab ruminates of life and faith and the prophecy that Fedallah has made about his dying.

The Quadrant - he destroys this navigational aid. He seems to be growing more and more obsessed and unpredictable!

The Candles - I think this may be my favourite chapter yet. I could really picture this as a scene in a movie! The ship is surrounded by a typhoon and lightening. Ahab rails at the storm and becomes such a devlish, imposing figure! I pity Starbuck and his efforts at sense. It seems only he can see the madness in it all.
What's to come - the tension is building?!
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@Samuel - I agree about the importance of these two chapters!
I feel like we're finally coming to the climax of it all - but in what state of mind?!

[Laura]

Chapters 120 - 123

OMG! Starbuck!
(view spoiler)[
So these were interesting again. Ahab doesn't seem to let them do anything sensible re making the ship safe or minimising damage.
It's interesting that Stubb and Flask surmise that the anchors are being tied up as if they're never to use them again!

I can't decide whether Stubb is an irrepressible optimist or just in denial!

The Musket - this was such a good chapter! Poor Starbuck. He sees their fate. He knows they're doomed somehow and tries to justify killing Ahab to potentially save the 30 men aboard..but he can't do it. He's too good! I really feel for Starbuck - he's been the voice of reason throughout and no-one will listen to him.
I like this quote:
"Aye, and say'st the men have vow'd thy vow; say'st all of us are Ahabs. Great God forbid!"

Doom approaches.......
(hide spoiler)]

[Samuel]

Melville surely does like to reference the Bible and other works

[Samuel]

Chapters 129-132
(view spoiler)[
That last chapter was so beautiful. I feel so sad for Ahab, he is aware that he's likely walking into his doom but regardless, he won't give up his chase. He truly loves Starbuck in spite of him being the only one that showed some reticence from the start. Ahab forbade him from lowering when they find Moby Dick.

Back at the beginning of the novel, when Ahab made the sailors vow to hunt Moby Dick I was convinced Starbuck was going to eventually rally some sailors and organize a mutiny. Instead, we had a close call in The Musket but Starbuck didn't have the heart to put down poor Ahab. I feel so much for these two characters now.

Very excited for tomorrow. I'm gonna be emotional after finishing this book.
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Catching up - Chapter 124: The Needle - Chapter 132: The Symphony

(view spoiler)[
The tension is building so much! Everything seems to bode ill - the compass is broken, they have a coffin for a lifebuoy, the log and line are lost - it's not looking good!
Also when asked to help the Rachel search for the Captain's son - Ahab refuses. He's so hardened to humanity and driven to his own task he won't be swayed from it - even for such a cause.

Ahab is concerned that his affection for Pip is weakening his resolve for the hunt. Another ill omen - Ahab's hat is stolen by a bird and they pass anotehr boat who has lost crew to MD.

The Symphony chapter was beautiful. The observations of nature and its effect on Ahab. Also the relationship with Starbuck.
All along Starbuck has been the only one to stand up to Ahab. He's so good, he's not drawn into Ahab's unhealthy obsession. Despite this occasional resistence Ahab still has affection for Starbuck and tells him not to join the hung for MD.
Ahab is resigned to his own fate but at least want to give the First Mate a chance of getting back to his family.
This was a really affecting chapter. Starbuck has been one of my favourite characters throughout and I love how he still tries to save Ahab from himself.
I'm going to be sad when this book finishes and I feel like we're in for a sad end too!
(hide spoiler)]

So close to the end!

[Frances]

I stayed up to finish this. Wow. Definitely not what I expected. The prose is really impressive. Melville writes so beautifully. Nobody ever says that. I suppose it’s because he isn’t writing about a woman, but about whales.

[Samuel]

I finished it as well. I agree with you, @Frances, his writing is one of the best I've seen, although I must confess I'm not very well read.

Spoilers ahead, beware:
(view spoiler)[It was no secret that things would go awry and that Ahab was going to meet the fate he did. We also had a prophecy in the later chapters, and when a prophecy is included in a book they tend to happen as told. What I didn't expect, not even close, was the final casualty count... I kinda expected Quequeeg and that one sailor that was only mentioned in two chapters because Ish foreshadowed it.

One thing I really liked is how as far as I know, no detail went wasted. For example, in the Epilogue when Ish told us what happened to him it connects back to that time he told us he experienced a similar fate to Pip's when the later fell off a boat.

Sorry for beating around the bush, I prefer to be vague in case someone accidentally opens the spoiler tag. (hide spoiler)]

I really, really liked this book. I'm sure I'll revisit it again in the future. Very glad we did this.

[Samuel]

Also this might be a stretch but when Melville confronts two different personalities / points of view, like Ahab and Pip, Ahab and Starbuck or Starbuck and Stubb, specially towards the end, it reminds me of Dostoevsky when he does the same in Karamzov or C&P.

[Laura]

FINISHED!
WOW!

(view spoiler)[
I loved this book! I'm not sure whether I loved the book or whether I loved Ish, Queequeg, Starbuck and Ahab?!
The writing was so evocative - in those final chase chapters I felt like I could see exactly what was happening.
The sense of doom which built throughout was inevitable but I had never predicted the result would be so catastrophic!

I loved seeing the relatioship between Ahab and Starbuck develop towards the end. I don't really know how to express how I feel about this book. I'm SO glad we read this and thank you all for your company throughout!

I agree Samuel that this book will bear revisiting at some point. I think I need to recover for a while first though....
(hide spoiler)]

[Frances]

I feel so small writing comments about my thoughts after reading what now seems like such a wondrous masterpiece of a book. But I just want to say that:

(view spoiler)[ I think all those chapters on the anatomy of the whale that other readers have commented on, and that we have all struggled to make 3-D images of in our heads; and all those chapters on harvesting of spermacetti, and chapters on whaling, etc. These are character-building that lead up to the final chapters so that we aren’t surprised as to why Moby Dick did what he did -as a cognizant (pre-meditated) creature who has been continuously hunted. I think that along with getting to know the mates on board the Pequod, getting to know the whales as characters was what the book was about as well. And that this would provide the reader more information when we “judge” if what had happened in the end was “justified”, as we all do end up making decisions as to whether Ahab “deserved to die” or whether we wished Ahab had succeeded in his “revenge”. I’m not as eloquent as I was in my academic days. And I’m far from being well-read. I’ve only recently started reading classics. So I hope I’m making some sense.
(hide spoiler)]

This was a wonderful adventure, everyone! It was more fun because I had all of you along with me. I would have taken longer to read this without Samuel’s schedule for sure. I’m looking forward to more Buddy Reads with you all. ❤️

[Shaina]

I just finished the book. Phew! It really was a very intense read. I'm really glad I had company as I don't think I would have made it alone or than I would have so many different insights in it. I really enjoyed the last three chapters of the book quite a bit.

(view spoiler)[I was very intrigued about the death omens since Ahab referred to the particulars of his death. All I wanted to know was how those conditions would be fulfilled. I was quite upset with him for refusing to search for the missing boy. How could he be so compassionate to Pip one moment and so unfeeling the next so as to refuse to help look for a lost child of twelve?

I felt horrible that the entire crew had to die for one deranged man's vengeance. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Samuel wrote: "That was a great article.

@Frances, I think you are onto something there. Also, back then specially, common people wouldn't be familiar with whales and didn't have easy access to information like ..."

I'm still thinking about this book and reading some reviews and reactions. I found this and thought it might be interesting: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertain...

[Samuel]

That was a great article.

@Frances, I think you are onto something there. Also, back then specially, common people wouldn't be familiar with whales and didn't have easy access to information like we do nowadays, making those chapters even more of a necessity.
Laura's article also reinforce the "reader as a judge" point. We (the readers) are the makers of meaning in a world of endless meaning

A review I read recommended the Moby Dick movie from 1956. Apparently the screenwriter was the writer Ray Bradbury and the priest at the beginning of the novel is played by Orson Welles (Citizien Kane). It looks interesting.

[Laura]

Thanks @Samuel - I'll see if I can get access to that version of the film.

[Frances]

Moby Dick is based on In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, which I now want to read. Thank you for the article, Laura. I'm curious as to what Philbrick has to say that he can write a whole book like Why Read Moby-Dick?. It's taking fan-fiction to a high level! But I can read MD 3x over and never truly appreciate it. The chapter on White alone is like the chapter on Echo of House of Leaves.

[Storm]

I fell off for a bit but I did finish and read everyone's thoughts as I did. I think I ended up not liking it as much everyone else but I loved the ending! I wish we had more of those concentrated plot driven chapters throughout.

Better late than never, here is my review in case anyone is still on this thread or comes by later.

[Laura]

Hey Storm,
Glad you finished and yeah the end was so full of action!
Great review!