Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

by Herman Melville

Overview

American author Herman Melville published his first novel, Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, in 1851. The story of Ahab, the captain of the whaling ship Pequod, and his irrational pursuit for vengeance against Moby Dick, the huge white sperm whale that wounded him on a previous journey, is told in the book by the sailor Ishmael. Moby-Dick, a work that contributed to the literature of the American Renaissance, had received mixed reviews upon publication, was a commercial flop, and was out of print when the author passed away in 1891. It wasn't until the 20th century, on the centennial of its author's birth in 1919, that it gained recognition as a "Great American Novel." William Faulkner expressed regret for not having written the novel himself, while D. H. Lawrence praised it as "the best book of the sea ever written" and "one of the oddest and most wonderful books in the world." One of the most well-known starting lines in all of literature is "Call me Ishmael." Moby-Dick was started by Melville in February 1850, and it was finished a year later than he had intended, in 18 months. Melville drew on his observations as a common sailor between 1841 and 1844, especially those of whalers, as well as extensive reading in the literature on whaling.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789357278942
Publisher:	Double 9 Books
Publication date:	01/01/2023
Pages:	586
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Herman Melville (1819–1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet, best known for his masterpiece Moby-Dick, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novels. Melville's life and works reflect his deep engagement with themes such as the human condition, nature, identity, and the mysteries of existence.

Early Life:
Melville was born in New York City to a wealthy family, but his early life was marked by tragedy. His father died when he was just 12 years old, leaving the family financially unstable. Melville attended various schools but dropped out to work, eventually finding employment on merchant ships. His experience at sea became a profound influence on his writing.

Date of Birth:

August 1, 1819

Date of Death:

September 28, 1891

Place of Birth:

New York, New York

Place of Death:

New York, New York

Education:

Attended the Albany Academy in Albany, New York, until age 15

Editorial Reviews

Time Magazine:
"With its rich symbolism and intricate prose, Moby-Dick is not just a story of a whaling voyage, but a profound meditation on humanity's endless quest for meaning. A challenging and rewarding read, it is a book that resonates with readers across generations."
Source: Time Magazine

Time Magazine: - N/A