Personal+Review

Moby Dick is arranged rather curiously for a novel. Sitting at 479 pages, the book is not a short read. However, this comes in great contrast to its chapter length; with 135 chapters the average chapter length is only three and a half pages. This unique structure allows Melville to focus on explaining individual topics while not disturbing the flow of the novel, a fine tactic that pays great dividends. This aspect is key when one considers that the entirety of the novel is about the voyage of the whaling ship known as the //Pequod//. I found the prospect of reading a book about whaling, a topic of which I knew so little about, fairly daunting. however, while approximately one third of the book is focused on that, Melville's unique structure allows pieces of information to slot precisely where they need to, educating the reader while drawing him deeper into the pretense of the voyage.

Even though I struggled in my initial run through of the books metaphor heavy text, I soon found my far more engaged in the story than I had anticipated. I found myself laughing occasionally, smiling inwardly more often then that. I even learned a few things. Did you know that the saying 'Let's get under way' stems from the naval phrase 'under weigh', meaning to hoist the anchor to prepare to set sail? There are plenty more interesting tidbits included as well.

Now, I won't say "You've gotta read this book!". Moby Dick is not for everyone. If you don't like longer novels, or struggle with older English, this probably isn't the book for you. But personally, I give this book a big two thumbs up, and I reproach those who didn't appreciate it the first time it was published.