I had an english teacher in hs ask the class to read a two page excerpt from it. She then asked us what we read. We all looked upon her with glassy eyes without a clue. She informed us, those two pages were about wind. That was it. Just the wind. She then explained she never assigned it because Herman Melville tended to get excessively wordy. She also told us there was an entire chapter about how white the whale was.
I read about a fifth of it earlier this year and then thought I’ll have a break and read something easier. Haven’t gone back to it yet ? I haven’t given up. Just still having a break ?
When I was in high school the powers that be decided to hold an overnight reading. Students would come with sleeping bags, the school provided food and everyone would take turns reading throughout the night. Then the following Monday the various classes would discuss it. I feel like it’s a much better book when others are reading it out loud.
I think that because it was written so long ago the style of writing makes it slow. Unless you have to read it for a class I wouldn’t feel bad if you don’t continue to read it. Some classics don’t transition well.
I read it in college. There is more than anyone probably ever needs to know about whales and whaling. I found the book interesting as a whole but I probably skimmed some of those chapters.
That question has been entertained by the literary community for a while now xD I personally loved it, and yes, I found it very difficult to get through it, but it sure is rewarding. I’d recommend readers to not give up, because the idea is spread that it’s difficult, and that isn’t fair. There is a great story behind all the moaning!
I’m a great reader of classics, but still haven’t been able to make it past the first paragraph of that one. I read Melville’s “Billy Budd,” though, so I haven’t ignored him entirely.
I read “Bartleby the Scrivener” for a college assignment. Then I went in to my office and told my coworker the story. For days afterwards we would look at each other and say “I would prefer not to” and laugh hysterically. That’s a pretty good short story of Melville’s.
I love it read it when I was 13
It is tough indeed!
It is not Melville in this category but also JRR Tolkien.
I had an english teacher in hs ask the class to read a two page excerpt from it. She then asked us what we read. We all looked upon her with glassy eyes without a clue. She informed us, those two pages were about wind. That was it. Just the wind. She then explained she never assigned it because Herman Melville tended to get excessively wordy. She also told us there was an entire chapter about how white the whale was.
Yep lots of the classics are but it is one of the ones that is worth it .
havent read it yet
Jip. Tough
I read about a fifth of it earlier this year and then thought I’ll have a break and read something easier. Haven’t gone back to it yet ? I haven’t given up. Just still having a break ?
I have it but haven’t the heart to start it yet.
@Dee this is me too.
Same with robinson crusoe.
That is not on my list yet ?
Gave up around 100 pages in ? Moby Dick and War and Peace are 2 books that I just can’t seem to finsh….
Yes it is a tough read. I fail to understand this novel’s appeal.
It has some long boring unnecessary parts about whaling
I always say its a great story but a boring book
Skip the whaling information bits. Extraneous to the story and it speeds up the plot.
Oh I loved it!! One of my favorites
When I was in high school the powers that be decided to hold an overnight reading. Students would come with sleeping bags, the school provided food and everyone would take turns reading throughout the night. Then the following Monday the various classes would discuss it. I feel like it’s a much better book when others are reading it out loud.
It’s not you.
Love it.
I’ve never read it..
It’s not you
I tried, I just couldn’t. Once he started talking about all the different kinds of Wales my mind turned off.
Yes! It is very difficult.
Yes, it is, because it was written so long ago. Take your time with it and take small bites at a time. Go back in time to the sea and find the magic.
Its A hard book
It’s a really tough book to read. It changes storytelling method from chapter to chapter. I think it might be easier to read it out loud.
I couldn’t finish it.
My professor in college just made us read certain chapters. Even she thought it was a pain to read lolol
I think that because it was written so long ago the style of writing makes it slow. Unless you have to read it for a class I wouldn’t feel bad if you don’t continue to read it. Some classics don’t transition well.
Never could finish it
I think when a chapter became a stage play was when it sort of lost me.
I tried and found it…..quite dry
I read it in college. There is more than anyone probably ever needs to know about whales and whaling. I found the book interesting as a whole but I probably skimmed some of those chapters.
Gave up half way, very wordy
You can read 3 wonderfully written pages in a row that mean nothing.
Gave up as a teen, tried again in my twenties and enjoyed it greatly!
YES!
I admit, I’ve never read Moby Dick!
That question has been entertained by the literary community for a while now xD I personally loved it, and yes, I found it very difficult to get through it, but it sure is rewarding. I’d recommend readers to not give up, because the idea is spread that it’s difficult, and that isn’t fair. There is a great story behind all the moaning!
Over a 30yr peroid threw it in the garbage 3 times..tough for me
I’m a great reader of classics, but still haven’t been able to make it past the first paragraph of that one. I read Melville’s “Billy Budd,” though, so I haven’t ignored him entirely.
I read “Bartleby the Scrivener” for a college assignment. Then I went in to my office and told my coworker the story. For days afterwards we would look at each other and say “I would prefer not to” and laugh hysterically. That’s a pretty good short story of Melville’s.
I found it tough-