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A review by byubones123
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
5.0
It's been years since I read it, and I never wrote a review despite it's deserving one. I was afraid I'd never do my feelings justice, and never sum up the greatness of this story. I still have paltry and inadequate words to describe what this book is, but beating within me is a strong desire to write what I think. That may be the best context for jotting down my thoughts about Moby Dick. At the very least, for posterity or whatever other sake might exist on the web some future day, I think it's worth stating: Moby Dick is a masterwork of fiction and human endeavor.
Transcendent, transporting, illuminating--pick your preferred apotheosis. Moby Dick achieves what every writer wants their story to be. Engaging, informative, provocative, and profoundly reflective, it will change what you think of books entirely and likely change you. But you're not interested in old ideas or learning about whaling? That's fine, this story only purports to describe such things (even when it does so at length, and you'll probably still enjoy it). Despite being crusted with age and the detritus of history it's still as fresh and engaging as it was when it climbed from the ocean almost 200 years ago.
The truth is, Moby Dick isn't about the old world. It says a great deal about history, but it's really about the new, and where we're going and what matters. In fact, I think Moby Dick is more relevant now than when it was written. Maybe it's more relevancy will only grow as humanity piles on the years. But in a world overwhelmed by opinion and counterpoint and obsessed with conflict, Moby Dick stands as the ultimate quest to define the spirit of humanity. No naive adventures here, as fun or illuminating as escapism can be. This is the adventure of the ages--the depth of mortal experience and what it might mean.
Wherever you are, whoever you may be, if you have any interest in reading then take the time to read Moby Dick. It deserves it's notoriety, and is my favorite "classic" I've ever read. I've known some with no interest in history tomes who've declined to read sailing adventures and they join me heartily in praise for Melville's work. It is an experience unlike any other.
Transcendent, transporting, illuminating--pick your preferred apotheosis. Moby Dick achieves what every writer wants their story to be. Engaging, informative, provocative, and profoundly reflective, it will change what you think of books entirely and likely change you. But you're not interested in old ideas or learning about whaling? That's fine, this story only purports to describe such things (even when it does so at length, and you'll probably still enjoy it). Despite being crusted with age and the detritus of history it's still as fresh and engaging as it was when it climbed from the ocean almost 200 years ago.
The truth is, Moby Dick isn't about the old world. It says a great deal about history, but it's really about the new, and where we're going and what matters. In fact, I think Moby Dick is more relevant now than when it was written. Maybe it's more relevancy will only grow as humanity piles on the years. But in a world overwhelmed by opinion and counterpoint and obsessed with conflict, Moby Dick stands as the ultimate quest to define the spirit of humanity. No naive adventures here, as fun or illuminating as escapism can be. This is the adventure of the ages--the depth of mortal experience and what it might mean.
Wherever you are, whoever you may be, if you have any interest in reading then take the time to read Moby Dick. It deserves it's notoriety, and is my favorite "classic" I've ever read. I've known some with no interest in history tomes who've declined to read sailing adventures and they join me heartily in praise for Melville's work. It is an experience unlike any other.