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zbmorgan's review against another edition
4.0
While I would have not enjoyed this in high school, it was a fabulous read as an adult. Melville has a way of writing prose that is enjoyable, characters who are lively, entertaining, and different from each other, and tossing in the ocassional sentence that is so profound that you have to stop and read it twice, close the book, and contemplate.
This book is not usually presented for what it is - a 500 page non-fiction book about whaling, and a 150 page great sea-going tale, woven together, with most of the nonfiction at the front and, let's be honest, most of the ripping sea adventure at the tail end. They are both excellent, but I think the dissapointment some feel in this work is because they are expecting something else.
If nothing else, you will be left both understanding how toxic a grudge can be to you and all those around you, and being profoundly grateful we no longer use whale products for every day life.
This book is not usually presented for what it is - a 500 page non-fiction book about whaling, and a 150 page great sea-going tale, woven together, with most of the nonfiction at the front and, let's be honest, most of the ripping sea adventure at the tail end. They are both excellent, but I think the dissapointment some feel in this work is because they are expecting something else.
If nothing else, you will be left both understanding how toxic a grudge can be to you and all those around you, and being profoundly grateful we no longer use whale products for every day life.
bookishbucketlist1992's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
jekaluleka's review against another edition
1.0
This book took me a year and a half to read because I hated it so much. We get it, Herman, you know shit about whales! Here I was trying to read a book about the American dream or whatever and instead I got like 500 pages of whale anatomy.
nroxiereads's review against another edition
1.0
Barf. I read the first few chapters.. even the Cliff's Notes were torture.
caleb_karnosh22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
5.0
b_jud's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
glowylemur's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
when i said yes to "do you find the characters lovable?" I'm talking specifically and exclusively about the goat moby dick himself
janey's review against another edition
5.0
For years, I've heard people mutter that most of the book is about whales and whaling, with only a small portion devoted to plot, and now having read it, I feel like people who think that's some kind of drawback are completely missing the point.
evanrobins's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
illiteracy's review against another edition
4.5
sopping wet shivering silent crawl out of there just to turn around