Hi Steve. With regard to the front cover drawing. Your bafflement is very apt and Ishmael like from my point of view as the picture reminded me of the oil painting in the entrance to The Spouter-Inn. The book cover is obviously very clear compared with the fictional oil painting but it does feature a whale jumping over a ship (almost). David
Moby Dick is my favorite novel! I like the etymology and extracts parts because they sort of add a sense of foreboding for me, personally. Like this horror is timeless and known throughout time by all cultures.
I just read Moby Dick! Absolutely loved it and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. This was also the edition that I read and I guess I just instinctually skipped those first few pages like you said, and started at chapter one. You mentioned Moby Dick is in your top 3 19th century American novels, what are the other two?
curlybooks I’m pretty sure it would be Pride and Prejudice and Middlemarch from my understanding of Steve’s favourites, but I think an Anthony Trollope novel could sneak on into the top 3 as well.
Begin with “Call me Ishmael” is great advice. The first time I read this it was in a cheap mass market paperback that had no introduction, notes, etc. It was simply Melville’s language and the ocean currents sweeping forward. I can’t wait to read this with my older daughter in about ten years. If this is in your top 3 for 19th century US novels what are the other two? Fenimore Cooper with his attendant literary offenses and The Bostonians to keep it close to home??
I got to the white paint part and gave up :D. Might have been the translation. I have been planing to give it another shot because of your glowing reviews. But if you need a guide and an instruction manual on how to read a book I kinda get suspicious :D. Numerous videos suggest reading every other chapter or whatnot
This is the first book that I read on my brand new ipad 100 years ago. I honestly didn't like either one. The ipad I gave away and have never figured out why I was so incredibly bored with the book. Another of the books that were pushed on me from a "Reading List". There were so many that I was warned were going to be on the MCAT or SAT or some such major exam that I had to take.
Look not too long in the face of the fire, O man! Never dream with thy hand on the helm! Turn not thy back to the compass; accept the first hint of the hitching tiller; believe not the artificial fire, when its redness makes all things look ghastly. To-morrow, in the natural sun, the skies will be bright; those who glared like devils in the forking flames, the morn will show in far other, at least gentler, relief; the glorious, golden, glad sun, the only true lamp-all others but liars! Read-a-long please.
Steve, loving the daily penguin!!! So glad we have yearrrrrrs to go! Lol.
I don't know about years, but we'll certainly make it through 2020!
This was the edition I used for the read along. One of the most profound reading experiences of my life. Thanks Steve!
This is my favorite American novel. I'll have to look up your read along videos. Thank you,
Hi Steve. With regard to the front cover drawing. Your bafflement is very apt and Ishmael like from my point of view as the picture reminded me of the oil painting in the entrance to The Spouter-Inn. The book cover is obviously very clear compared with the fictional oil painting but it does feature a whale jumping over a ship (almost). David
Aww, Frieda looked so sweet!
Agreed! And she's been particularly sweet today, for reasons unknown!
Ohhh I would LOVE a Moby Dick readalong. Never read it yet I feel so excited to dive in!
Thanks Steve!
Moby Dick is my favorite novel! I like the etymology and extracts parts because they sort of add a sense of foreboding for me, personally. Like this horror is timeless and known throughout time by all cultures.
I just read Moby Dick! Absolutely loved it and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. This was also the edition that I read and I guess I just instinctually skipped those first few pages like you said, and started at chapter one. You mentioned Moby Dick is in your top 3 19th century American novels, what are the other two?
curlybooks I’m pretty sure it would be Pride and Prejudice and Middlemarch from my understanding of Steve’s favourites, but I think an Anthony Trollope novel could sneak on into the top 3 as well.
But I think they are specifying American novels.
7m! What on earth! That was a shock to the system 😄😆
But you got a whole read-along on the same book just a year ago! Isn't that enough!
But it's a break from tradition 7m is never enough! 😄😄
Moby Dick is America's finest novel. Read it, folks! If you have to, get a recording and read along. Not to be missed.
I have the Norton edition of Moby Dick and this, and will by more no doubt as I come across them. What a novel!
No adventure?! I loved the life and ways of the sailors even though I am not a water person.
I'd love a 2020 readalong of Moby Dick! Unfortunately I missed the last one 😔
Begin with “Call me Ishmael” is great advice. The first time I read this it was in a cheap mass market paperback that had no introduction, notes, etc. It was simply Melville’s language and the ocean currents sweeping forward. I can’t wait to read this with my older daughter in about ten years.
If this is in your top 3 for 19th century US novels what are the other two? Fenimore Cooper with his attendant literary offenses and The Bostonians to keep it close to home??
as far as guesses go, that's downright eerie!
I think Pride and Prejudice and Middlemarch would have to finish out that list for Steve, unless an Anthony Trollope novel sneaks on instead.
@@ThatReadingGuy28 But those are all English novels.
I wonder if the cover is meant to be an interpretation of "the Great Wave" by Hokisai? but I agree the image on the back would have been better.
I got to the white paint part and gave up :D. Might have been the translation. I have been planing to give it another shot because of your glowing reviews. But if you need a guide and an instruction manual on how to read a book I kinda get suspicious :D. Numerous videos suggest reading every other chapter or whatnot
This is the first book that I read on my brand new ipad 100 years ago. I honestly didn't like either one. The ipad I gave away and have never figured out why I was so incredibly bored with the book. Another of the books that were pushed on me from a "Reading List". There were so many that I was warned were going to be on the MCAT or SAT or some such major exam that I had to take.
Look not too long in the face of the fire, O man! Never dream with thy hand on the helm! Turn not thy back to the compass; accept the first hint of the hitching tiller; believe not the artificial fire, when its redness makes all things look ghastly. To-morrow, in the natural sun, the skies will be bright; those who glared like devils in the forking flames, the morn will show in far other, at least gentler, relief; the glorious, golden, glad sun, the only true lamp-all others but liars!
Read-a-long please.