I devoted an entire day to reading it nonstop because I knew I would never pick it up again if I let myself put it down. It was definitely dense and a lot of it was a slog, but I’m still glad to have read it. There are some good parts in there, there’s just a LOT of detail about whaling as well.
It’s a period piece. Don’t expect much in terms of plot development or action but Melville is superb in creating atmosphere for different scenes. His tone is very detached, so once you realize *what* is he actually describing, you might be slightly shocked. At one point there is a classification of different whale types just inserted into the book. Absolutely nothing happens in it, feel free to skip it. It’s not a Chekov’s science, it’s just kinda’ there… To sum it up, if you’re fine with Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and you like period atmospheric pieces with low plot and action, you’ll enjoy it. If you expect something like Dumas, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
I didn’t enjoy it back in my school days when it was required reading, but I re-read it a couple years ago and absolutely loved it. It’s got a lot going for it, from amazing characters, to adventure, psychology, to historical reality, biology, seafaring, etc. I actually loved the descriptive parts as they filled in my ignorance and added to the period flavor.
I’ve just given up on it today – got halfway through but it was feeling like a chore not a pleasure. I will go back to it though as I agree there are some great passages
Favorite American masterpiece of all time. I named my cats Ishmael, Quiquig, and Starbuck for the novel. Outstanding characterizations, Wonderous descriptions, and an unforgettable tale. The 19th century version of “Jaws,” only better.
Yes, read it in my youth, a 4, read a couple times in middle age, gave it a 5.. read it as a senior, part of a one city one book read.. definitely a 5..
My friend and I read it aloud to each other while we cooked dinners. We though it was an honest-to-god hoot. The language is awesome and hilarious when read aloud. The story is pretty good/classic.
Enjoy it. Great stuff in there, which is why it is still read. It’s almost 170 years old, written before the (American) Civil War, so the language might take some getting used to. (Plus he made up a lot of words!) I think they force us through it in high school so that we will come back as adults and read it properly.
the movies really helped me visualize the preacher’s pulpit, other than that, i had to google everything about the ship to get an idea of what the sailors were doing and on what part of the ship they were located.
I wrote my undergrad senior thesis on Moby Dick, so even as a teenager, I loved it. I applied Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning to the characters. (I was a geek.)
Dense read. I’m an English teacher and I don’t think it’s worth the effort.
I devoted an entire day to reading it nonstop because I knew I would never pick it up again if I let myself put it down. It was definitely dense and a lot of it was a slog, but I’m still glad to have read it. There are some good parts in there, there’s just a LOT of detail about whaling as well.
Myself, my hubby, and my son have read it. None of us were blown away.
I liked it, and it’s one of those books that you ought to read. Or at least start, and claim to have read.
LOL
I failed American Romanticism in undergrad because I could not get through it. It was the worst.
Required reading at one time for school. Didn’t care for it at the time. Maybe I should try again as an older adult.
I loved it.
Yes. Worth it. Then you will understand why Moby Dick stands the test of time.
It’s a period piece. Don’t expect much in terms of plot development or action but Melville is superb in creating atmosphere for different scenes. His tone is very detached, so once you realize *what* is he actually describing, you might be slightly shocked. At one point there is a classification of different whale types just inserted into the book. Absolutely nothing happens in it, feel free to skip it. It’s not a Chekov’s science, it’s just kinda’ there… To sum it up, if you’re fine with Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and you like period atmospheric pieces with low plot and action, you’ll enjoy it. If you expect something like Dumas, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
Don’t expect much plot development in modern novels, either.
Was my favorite book as a high schooler. What can I say…I was a different kind of kid! Might have to read it again.
I didn’t enjoy it back in my school days when it was required reading, but I re-read it a couple years ago and absolutely loved it. It’s got a lot going for it, from amazing characters, to adventure, psychology, to historical reality, biology, seafaring, etc. I actually loved the descriptive parts as they filled in my ignorance and added to the period flavor.
I’ve just given up on it today – got halfway through but it was feeling like a chore not a pleasure. I will go back to it though as I agree there are some great passages
The first (and one of the few) book I couldn’t finish!
Favorite American masterpiece of all time. I named my cats Ishmael, Quiquig, and Starbuck for the novel. Outstanding characterizations, Wonderous descriptions, and an unforgettable tale. The 19th century version of “Jaws,” only better.
Amazing adventure story!
I couldn’t get past “they call me Ismael”
Yes, read it in my youth, a 4, read a couple times in middle age, gave it a 5.. read it as a senior, part of a one city one book read..
definitely a 5..
Had to read it in High School, so it’s possible but I hated it. I hated most books that I was forced to read though.
There is a great story hidden in it. In the meantime you’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know (and didn’t) about whaling.
My friend and I read it aloud to each other while we cooked dinners. We though it was an honest-to-god hoot. The language is awesome and hilarious when read aloud. The story is pretty good/classic.
Have read it twice in my life; love it.
It’s not impenetrable. The writing itself is not difficult at all. That said, it’s SO long and I found it dreadfully boring.
Yes—A challenge but worth it!
Enjoy it. Great stuff in there, which is why it is still read. It’s almost 170 years old, written before the (American) Civil War, so the language might take some getting used to. (Plus he made up a lot of words!) I think they force us through it in high school so that we will come back as adults and read it properly.
Get a case of wine. ??
Maybe 2.
@Gail ???
I loved the descriptions of the whale pods in the depths of the oceans.
I would say read it! And give yourself permission to skim in places
I’d say you write a double entendre nicely
wonderful read especially if you enjoy period pieces and want to learn a bit about whaling in general… It’s fascinating.
A great read!
I have read it. Not impenetrable; some parts wonderful, some boring!
Dull. Good opening sentence, mind.
I loved it.
A favorite!
Impenetrable. Great word to describe Moby Dick. Tried, multiple times over the years, DNF.
Love it
Was forced to read it at age 16. Have no desire to re-read.
I read heart of the sea. Supposed to be true story.
I read it as an audiobook. Definitely not something I would want to read more of, but now I can say that I have read it so I’m good!
I enjoyed it. Worth reading Tim Severin’s “In search of Moby Dick” afterwards.
i read it. it was overlong. the story and some of the characters were great, but too much description. glad i read it in high school
the movies really helped me visualize the preacher’s pulpit, other than that, i had to google everything about the ship to get an idea of what the sailors were doing and on what part of the ship they were located.
I read it in school and it was so boring at 15…it might be worth trying again now that I’m old…lol
I wrote my undergrad senior thesis on Moby Dick, so even as a teenager, I loved it. I applied Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning to the characters. (I was a geek.)
I loved it. I read a copy that was annotated and it helped me put the historical parts in context.
I read it in college and while the chapters on whale genealogy and whatnot were so tedious, the book overall was fab!
I just started it.
Long and tedious, very long and tedious, but everyone should read it.