Scan barcode
meganl9's review against another edition
4.0
spent months and months obsessing over the enormous goal of finishing this book... if only there was a word for that
hjswinford's review against another edition
4.0
It's true: this book is full of hundreds of facts about whales, whale ships, and the life of a whaler that you never wanted to know. But beyond the stuffy factual chapters, this story is great. The characters (a few, anyway) are sympathetic and often pretty funny. (Starbuck and Queequeg being two of my favorites.) There were chapters that were more challenging to get through, but overall this book is fantastically enjoyable and I am glad to have read it.
jaredolin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
vooravond's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
drownerending's review against another edition
I dropped it but will get back to It
started first time on the 16th of August 2024
started first time on the 16th of August 2024
jhayward's review against another edition
5.0
What is there to say about this classic? To boil it down to one man's search for the whale that took his leg is to dishonor the work. It touches on so many themes, from economics to philosophical/theological issues. To truly get the most from it, a second or third read is essential.
caiocesar's review against another edition
2.0
Clássicos não são clássicos por qualquer motivo. Melville nos apresenta a personagens complexos. Conhecemos suas motivações, ambições e o íntimo de cada um deles ao longo dessa obra.
Mas nem todo clássico agrada. Infelizmente foi o meu caso. Esperava um épico, de certa forma é, mas as intervenções do autor para explicar profundamente os aspectos técnicos do navio, ferramentas, baleias, caça, etc… não me empolgaram. Quando eu me via engajado, afogado na trama, logo era jogado para um capítulo sobre as camadas adiposas de uma baleia.
Talvez seja isso que faça desse livro um clássico. A maestria do autor em transportar o leitor para um navio baleeiro no meio do Pacífico. Lembrando que o livro é de 1851, por isso a necessidade dessas explicações minuciosas, afinal não tinha Google nessa época.
Não odiei - se odiasse teria abandonado -mas também não amei. Será que sou burro?
Mas nem todo clássico agrada. Infelizmente foi o meu caso. Esperava um épico, de certa forma é, mas as intervenções do autor para explicar profundamente os aspectos técnicos do navio, ferramentas, baleias, caça, etc… não me empolgaram. Quando eu me via engajado, afogado na trama, logo era jogado para um capítulo sobre as camadas adiposas de uma baleia.
Talvez seja isso que faça desse livro um clássico. A maestria do autor em transportar o leitor para um navio baleeiro no meio do Pacífico. Lembrando que o livro é de 1851, por isso a necessidade dessas explicações minuciosas, afinal não tinha Google nessa época.
Não odiei - se odiasse teria abandonado -mas também não amei. Será que sou burro?
michelle_ltc's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book!!! I am so glad I waited to read it until I was old enough and worldly enough to appreciate its beauty. Melville was inspired to write this while he was living where I live now. A small plaque in my neighborhood is what inspired me to read it. Metaphor upon metaphor. I could picture it. I could feel it. I could smell it. I never expected the humor in it, literally laughed out loud at times. A ship full of men from completely different cultures and religions, one without at least a cursory knowledge of such topics might get bogged down by the vocabulary of ancient histories and philosophies. I have never felt so smart. :)
And how in the world did Melville write such a believable, first hand account when he, himself, had absolutely no whaling experience? I loved every bit and learned a lot about whales in the process. Planning a whale- watching excursion now.
I did not read this in one sitting. Prior to starting, the plan was to read one chapter each night. Some days, I read
just one, sometimes I read until sleepy. I read or listened to other books along the way yet nothing was lost from the Moby Dick experience. I'm so glad I read it for myself.
And how in the world did Melville write such a believable, first hand account when he, himself, had absolutely no whaling experience? I loved every bit and learned a lot about whales in the process. Planning a whale- watching excursion now.
I did not read this in one sitting. Prior to starting, the plan was to read one chapter each night. Some days, I read
just one, sometimes I read until sleepy. I read or listened to other books along the way yet nothing was lost from the Moby Dick experience. I'm so glad I read it for myself.
jamelchior's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Mental illness
selbyr's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! 5 stars! I loved it! I’ve never read a book like it and didn’t know what to expect when I started. It’s a history book, natural history book, historical fiction book, natural science book, philosophy, romanticism, tragedy, spiritual and (especially the last chapters) an action thriller. Oh that ending! The book all other books chase, but will never catch.
Spark Notes Meter: High
Many biblical and historical references that the modern reader may not know about. Lots of difficult paragraphs that require multiple rereads. Though I do recommend rereading rather than looking up meaning. The fun part about Moby Dick is once you puzzle out the vernacular, the mental descriptive image you receive is exceptional.
Spark Notes Meter: High
Many biblical and historical references that the modern reader may not know about. Lots of difficult paragraphs that require multiple rereads. Though I do recommend rereading rather than looking up meaning. The fun part about Moby Dick is once you puzzle out the vernacular, the mental descriptive image you receive is exceptional.