I plan on reading this book this year, perhaps next month. It appears that one prerequisite is _sheer determination_ to get through it (like _War and Peace_ )
I’m Irish, 28 and not somebody who engaged in reading throughout my life - so moby was completely new to me. I can remember hearing about the novel for so many years, but it’s extraordinary how well it’s written.
Glad you enjoyed it. I’m sure you’ll soon be rereading. It’s a book that demands rereads and studying. There’s more art and philosophy in every chapter of the book than there is in most entire novels. It’s a book that keeps giving you more and more and more. Perhaps too many people, especially in the US, are forced to read it at too young an age when they’re not ready for it. Reading anything that’s over your head can be a frustrating experience. But even that aspect becomes more and more rewarding as you get older and (hopefully) more well read; the Shakespearean and Miltonic and Biblical allusions are on every page, and given that younger people now aren’t as well read in an see how it’d be too challenging. But when you break the back of this novel it will change your life. You’ll find yourself pushing it on anyone you can :)
Finished the story of Moby Dick this past week & I pretty much agree with your review overall, EXCEPT for the relationship between Ishmael & Queequeg. Personally, I thought it was warm & humorous, not sexual in any way. In fact, it was one of my favorite parts of the book. I also watched a 2011 movie & usually Hollywood loves to highlight, shall we say, or looks for every opportunity, to promote the gay agenda (jmo) & there was no hint, even in the movie, of such either. I think the word I would use for Captain Ahab is "obsessed" with Moby Dick. I think he was determined to kill or be killed, as he could not accept what had happened to him (loss of limb & pride). I thought Melville did a good job in surrounding Ahab with people who would be under his complete command & control, to attain his ultimate demise or victory, whichever it became. Interestingly enough, when I discussed the book with a few of my online book friends, most found it to be an absolute BORE! Some admitted throwing it aside, others who finished it said they knew about more about whales than they ever wanted to??! LOL Aside from his personal experience, it was pretty obvious to me, that the author did some very intense research on all things "whale" & one did feel like they were in school sometimes :). But I looked beyond that to the colorful characters & the just plain old adventure aspect & enjoyed "the ride". I think you are right, there is a dark kind of lure appeal in this book. Sure was for me anyway. Thanks for hearing my thoughts on it. I hope to read more of his work in the future. Have you read anything else he wrote or are considering it?
Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed the book! I think regardless of how you interpreted Ishmael and Queequeg, their friendship is one of the most enjoyable parts of the book. I enjoyed Queequeg so much that, while reading the book, the autocorrect on my phone suggested "queequeg" whenever I began typing "question." I heard somewhere Ahab described as having "monomania" and really loved that word in regards to his character. I think he is a great instance of a demagogue charismatically persuading a band of outsiders to doom and it magnetic seeing them sign their fate away. The whaling segments were difficult for me, but I enjoyed when they were used to tie in metaphor, and reflections on life (re: the whiteness of the whale chapter, which is fantastic). Thanks for tuning in and sharing your take on the novel!
The basic philosophical interpretation of Moby Dick is that the vast ocean represents the universe, the Pequod is the planet Earth traveling through the universe, the Earth (Pequod) contains a representation of all people, Moby Dick represents a God or soul, and Ahab is a shaman/magician who is chasing his soul, seeking reunification. Ahab stated that when Moby Dick bit off his leg they bled into each other. So Ahab became a sort of horcrux to Moby Dick.
I have not yet read this book, but certainly want to give it a go! Thanks for the recommend. When read, I will definitely come back to share my thoughts. :)
I just finished it. Didnt like it, didmt like the characters or the style of writing...the 1st act until they sailed was good tho. Also where did you get the gay vibe?? Thanks for the review tho! It helped.
@@Brandonthrill fair enough I once saw a TV show only for people to call it gay and I did not see it the first time watching it but ch 10 seems kind gay
Mage Player my reply was deleted but I was just saying there was all this fear and build up about Queequeg being a cannibal out selling heads, then he sneaks back into the room and starts worshipping his idol all tatted up, you expect something dangerous, yet they end up cuddling in their sleep and become best friends. “Civilized” embracing “savage” cultures is a theme in this book how hey are similar, different, superior, inferior to each other.
If one has a propensity towards gayness then one might see that between Ahab and Quequeg. But reading other authors of that time, I find similar affection between characters with no reference to homosexuality. Obviously, when men work in close proximity to each other for an extended period of time, horseplay and elbowed jokes are a constant companion. Melville knew this because he traveled the sea and he made light of it in the form of humor that only seems erotic by today's standards.
The prevalence of ersatz homosexual marriage is well documented in early modern piracy. They even a acknowledged the inheritance rights of the ‘husband’. Sailors of all stripes have always been a renegade community, ahead of their time. Ask somebody who has served in the Navy - to this day it’s essentially a floating gay nightclub:)
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I plan on reading this book this year, perhaps next month. It appears that one prerequisite is _sheer determination_ to get through it (like _War and Peace_ )
I’m Irish, 28 and not somebody who engaged in reading throughout my life - so moby was completely new to me. I can remember hearing about the novel for so many years, but it’s extraordinary how well it’s written.
Glad you enjoyed it. I’m sure you’ll soon be rereading. It’s a book that demands rereads and studying. There’s more art and philosophy in every chapter of the book than there is in most entire novels. It’s a book that keeps giving you more and more and more. Perhaps too many people, especially in the US, are forced to read it at too young an age when they’re not ready for it. Reading anything that’s over your head can be a frustrating experience. But even that aspect becomes more and more rewarding as you get older and (hopefully) more well read; the Shakespearean and Miltonic and Biblical allusions are on every page, and given that younger people now aren’t as well read in an see how it’d be too challenging. But when you break the back of this novel it will change your life. You’ll find yourself pushing it on anyone you can :)
Finished the story of Moby Dick this past week & I pretty much agree with your review overall, EXCEPT for the relationship between Ishmael & Queequeg. Personally, I thought it was warm & humorous, not sexual in any way. In fact, it was one of my favorite parts of the book. I also watched a 2011 movie & usually Hollywood loves to highlight, shall we say, or looks for every opportunity, to promote the gay agenda (jmo) & there was no hint, even in the movie, of such either.
I think the word I would use for Captain Ahab is "obsessed" with Moby Dick. I think he was determined to kill or be killed, as he could not accept what had happened to him (loss of limb & pride). I thought Melville did a good job in surrounding Ahab with people who would be under his complete command & control, to attain his ultimate demise or victory, whichever it became.
Interestingly enough, when I discussed the book with a few of my online book friends, most found it to be an absolute BORE! Some admitted throwing it aside, others who finished it said they knew about more about whales than they ever wanted to??! LOL Aside from his personal experience, it was pretty obvious to me, that the author did some very intense research on all things "whale" & one did feel like they were in school sometimes :). But I looked beyond that to the colorful characters & the just plain old adventure aspect & enjoyed "the ride". I think you are right, there is a dark kind of lure appeal in this book. Sure was for me anyway. Thanks for hearing my thoughts on it. I hope to read more of his work in the future. Have you read anything else he wrote or are considering it?
Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed the book! I think regardless of how you interpreted Ishmael and Queequeg, their friendship is one of the most enjoyable parts of the book. I enjoyed Queequeg so much that, while reading the book, the autocorrect on my phone suggested "queequeg" whenever I began typing "question."
I heard somewhere Ahab described as having "monomania" and really loved that word in regards to his character. I think he is a great instance of a demagogue charismatically persuading a band of outsiders to doom and it magnetic seeing them sign their fate away.
The whaling segments were difficult for me, but I enjoyed when they were used to tie in metaphor, and reflections on life (re: the whiteness of the whale chapter, which is fantastic).
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your take on the novel!
@@thepearlreview9236 - gotta love autocorrect! hahaha
The basic philosophical interpretation of Moby Dick is that the vast ocean represents the universe, the Pequod is the planet Earth traveling through the universe, the Earth (Pequod) contains a representation of all people, Moby Dick represents a God or soul, and Ahab is a shaman/magician who is chasing his soul, seeking reunification. Ahab stated that when Moby Dick bit off his leg they bled into each other. So Ahab became a sort of horcrux to Moby Dick.
I have not yet read this book, but certainly want to give it a go! Thanks for the recommend. When read, I will definitely come back to share my thoughts. :)
I look forward to hearing your take!
@@thepearlreview9236 - Thank you! :)
I just finished it. Didnt like it, didmt like the characters or the style of writing...the 1st act until they sailed was good tho. Also where did you get the gay vibe?? Thanks for the review tho! It helped.
Bruh at one point the book refers to ismal as Quebecs wife
Mage Player it’s called a joke my friend! A very funny joke!
@@Brandonthrill fair enough I once saw a TV show only for people to call it gay and I did not see it the first time watching it but ch 10 seems kind gay
Mage Player my reply was deleted but I was just saying there was all this fear and build up about Queequeg being a cannibal out selling heads, then he sneaks back into the room and starts worshipping his idol all tatted up, you expect something dangerous, yet they end up cuddling in their sleep and become best friends. “Civilized” embracing “savage” cultures is a theme in this book how hey are similar, different, superior, inferior to each other.
@@Brandonthrill fair enough
If one has a propensity towards gayness then one might see that between Ahab and Quequeg. But reading other authors of that time, I find similar affection between characters with no reference to homosexuality. Obviously, when men work in close proximity to each other for an extended period of time, horseplay and elbowed jokes are a constant companion. Melville knew this because he traveled the sea and he made light of it in the form of humor that only seems erotic by today's standards.
The prevalence of ersatz homosexual marriage is well documented in early modern piracy. They even a acknowledged the inheritance rights of the ‘husband’. Sailors of all stripes have always been a renegade community, ahead of their time. Ask somebody who has served in the Navy - to this day it’s essentially a floating gay nightclub:)