Moby-Dick: Or, the Whale: or, the Whale (Penguin Classics)

I used to read this book over and over when I was a kid. Great story with lots of vivid imagery. Lots of symbolism, too, if you're into that kind of thing. I loved this book as a kid. I'm glad I read it before it was ruined by school-assigned reading.

Good book. Worth reading.

I loved it as a boy.

tough going!

Hardly what you'd describe as a boring read, surely! I can see why some of the chapters, especially those detailing (for example) cetological physiology, whales and the law, and Right whales jawbones can be seen as boring, but I found they provided opportunities for eloquently conveyed insights into that which I previously knew nothing about. After all - knowledge seldom wasted. Yes, the...more

Hardly what you'd describe as a boring read, surely! I can see why some of the chapters, especially those detailing (for example) cetological physiology, whales and the law, and Right whales jawbones can be seen as boring, but I found they provided opportunities for eloquently conveyed insights into that which I previously knew nothing about. After all - knowledge seldom wasted. Yes, the book was long, but I think that's only reasonable given that he encompassed - in my opinion rather brilliantly - a fundamentally alien environment and lifestyle whilst still being able to pick out universally applicable human traits, from the narrator's strong attachment to his native American companion to Ahab's monomania. Though the end felt abrupt, it was overall, a very powerful read, and rightfully a triumphant classic of american literature.   hide

Bisection of the whale. That's pretty much all of it...

longlonglonglongloooooooooong. some parts were very confusing, and cliffsnotes saved me there... my english teacher would be appalled if she heard that. but i also think he had amazing style as an author like how he'd deliver the observances he'd make on humankind, his use of metaphor, and the complexity of ahab's character. i think the extra chapters were there to help people understand how...more

longlonglonglongloooooooooong. some parts were very confusing, and cliffsnotes saved me there... my english teacher would be appalled if she heard that. but i also think he had amazing style as an author like how he'd deliver the observances he'd make on humankind, his use of metaphor, and the complexity of ahab's character. i think the extra chapters were there to help people understand how things worked, but in this time people would rather just skip over them. I know i wanted to. i didnt understand the religious references and i can't say i'll read it again anytime soon, but i can't say i wouldnt recommend it. i had a lot of trouble following but i do remember i loved queequeg :] the part about whale penises, though...:X   hide

Better men than I have attempted to review Moby Dick, so I'll keep this brief. The opening line is awesome ("Call me Ishmael"), and the plot (when you can find it) truly epic in scope. The characters are well formed, even if Ishmael drops off the face of the book about halfway through. However, the book is about three times as long as it should be, dragged down by...more

Better men than I have attempted to review Moby Dick, so I'll keep this brief. The opening line is awesome ("Call me Ishmael"), and the plot (when you can find it) truly epic in scope. The characters are well formed, even if Ishmael drops off the face of the book about halfway through. However, the book is about three times as long as it should be, dragged down by endless philosophizing and symbolism. I realize it has a lot to say, if you take the time to unpack its philosophy, but by the end I honestly didn't give a damn.   hide

In one word..overrated. If I ever wanted to know this much about 19th century whaling I probably would have picked this up a lot sooner. And yeah I know it's some elaborate allegory and it has its humerous moments, but aside from that I find myself bored out of my mind throughout. Methinks this is a one time read. Pretty good so far. Suprisingly funny at times. I know more about how to kill...more

In one word..overrated. If I ever wanted to know this much about 19th century whaling I probably would have picked this up a lot sooner. And yeah I know it's some elaborate allegory and it has its humerous moments, but aside from that I find myself bored out of my mind throughout. Methinks this is a one time read. Pretty good so far. Suprisingly funny at times. I know more about how to kill a whale now so..I guess..that's good?   hide