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Overview
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HarperCollins is proud to present our range of timeless literary classics.
'Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee...'
Few literary masterpieces cast quite as awesome a shadow as Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Captain Ahab's quest for the white whale is a timeless epic - a thrilling tale of vengeance and obsession, and a searing parable about humanity lost in a universe of moral ambiguity.
Inspired by true events, Moby Dick is a work of astonishing psychological depth. It is perhaps the greatest sea story ever told and one of the great classics of literature.
- Format: Hardcover
- Author: Melville, Herman
- ISBN: 9780766633407
- Condition: Used
- Dimensions: 0.75 x 7.50
- Publication Year: 2010
Customer Reviews
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Vivid, Rich Detail and an Ambitious (and Long) Story
Nathan S. - 6 years agoWhat really draws me into Moby Dick is the rich level of detail, pulling at all of your senses and making the entire world come to life, from the shores of Nantucket to the deck of the Pequod. The characters are likewise engaging, from main characters like Queequeg and Ahab to minor characters like Stubbs and Starbuck. More than that, the book is ambitious, unafraid to take things in new directions that even modern authors hesitate with. What other book would throw in a set of screenplay scripts for monologues and dance numbers aboard the Pequod, for instance (really, they should make a full-length play for this book)? The various sections on whales might seem like odd tangents, but they're still quite fascinating in their own right, and allow for a bit of rereadability - since you'll want to go back and reabsorb all the extra little details. On another note, while I strongly oppose whaling and support environmental measures to protect whales, I still found I could enjoy the book, even Ishmael's bits on using whale parts. Because even though he's a whaler, Ishmael expresses a genuine love for whales, admiring their grace, beauty, and might even as he hunts them. This in part reflects the feelings of that time, when mankind had yet to realize that the natural world is mortal, and that animals such as whales could become extinct. So while I can't agree with whaling, I can still appreciate the novel. Anyway, I strongly advise getting a complete, unabridged copy of Moby Dick, since the full-length book is the best way to truly soak in the sheer level of vivid detail. It may take you days to get through, but you'll find lots of interesting things throughout the journey. #BannedBook
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I fought the whale & the whale won.
Brian Q. - 6 years 1 month agoLong, detailed, quasi-boring & somewhat (un)entertaining. I wanted to enjoy it - I really did, but other than getting it of my Lifetime TBR List there's not much good I can say about this classic novel. If you're a land-lover & feel compelled to tackle this tome, then I'd suggest the graphic novel version that Jake Taylor was seen reading in the movie 'Major League'. #RequiredReading
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A Good Classic But a Challenge
Noah H. - 6 years 4 months agoMoby Dick was a book I chose to read because of its literary merits. However, my reading experience was hindered by the excessive descriptions of whales and whaling technique. The chapters concerning actual plot were very engaging and I liked them a lot. But, due to all the whale talk, I found it hard to get through. Much like Ahab I was mono-maniac on just finishing the book. Once reaching the end although, I was struck with a greater appreciation for it and even thought it warranted a second read to fully "get" the book, which I would do if it weren't for the length and commitment of the book. #summerreading