Pierre, or, The Ambiguities

by Herman Melville

Overview

Pierre; or, The Ambiguities is the seventh book by American writer Herman Melville, first published in New York in 1852. The novel, which uses many conventions of Gothic fiction, develops the psychological, sexual, and family tensions between Pierre Glendinning; his widowed mother; Glendinning Stanley, his cousin; Lucy Tartan, his fiancée; and Isabel Banford, who is revealed to be his half-sister.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783985315406
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	10/08/2021
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	386
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Herman Melville (1819-1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet whose work has left an indelible mark on American literature. Born in New York City, Melville's early life was marked by financial instability and a series of adventures that would later fuel his literary imagination. He spent several years at sea, experiences that profoundly influenced his writing and provided the raw material for his most celebrated works.Melville's literary career began with the publication of "Typee" (1846) and "Omoo" (1847), semi-autobiographical tales of his adventures in the South Seas, which brought him early fame. However, his later works, such as "Moby-Dick" (1851), initially perplexed both critics and readers with their complex narrative structures and philosophical depth. Today, "Moby-Dick" is hailed as one of the greatest American novels, a profound exploration of obsession, humanity, and the natural world.Melville's later years were marked by relative obscurity and financial hardship, but his work experienced a renaissance in the early 20th century, earning him posthumous recognition as a literary genius. His innovative narrative techniques and deep psychological insights influenced contemporary writers such as William Faulkner and F. Scott Fitzgerald.Melville's revolutionary ideas about individuality, society, and the human condition resonate with modern readers, offering timeless reflections on the complexities of existence. His life and work continue to be a source of fascination and scholarly study, underscoring his enduring legacy in the canon of American literature.
Herman Melville (born Melvill; (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period. Among his best-known works are Moby-Dick (1851); Typee (1846), a romanticized account of his experiences in Polynesia; and Billy Budd, Sailor, a posthumously published novella. Although his reputation was not high at the time of his death, the centennial of his birth in 1919 was the starting point of a Melville revival, and Moby-Dick grew to be considered one of the great American novels.

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

What People are Saying About This

Sanford E. Marovitz

Pierre is a crucial volume in the Melville canon that continues to open new vistas toward an understanding not only of the author himself, but also of his family, his associates, and more broadly, the cosmopolitan culture of New York at mid—century.
—(Sanford E. Marovitz, The Melville Society)