I Got Punked By Herman Melville And All I Got Was This Goodreads Post

Seriously though, it was an enjoyable experience.

We can say that a novel with so much metafictional meandering and unresolved philosophical psycho-spelunking is quite remarkable.

To have written a novel like this, Herman Melville was really "going through it."

It's almost like the 19th century bro version of a girl's post that says "really lonely rn...anybody up?"

Melville's work takes the reader on a wild ride through his complex mind and the pages of his novel.

The metafictional elements add an extra layer of depth and intrigue, making the reading experience both challenging and rewarding.

The unresolved philosophical questions leave the reader with much to ponder long after the book is finished.

Overall, it was a unique and engaging encounter with one of literature's greats.

This book was a colossal disappointment for me. I adored "Moby Dick" and concur with the general consensus that it is one of the greatest works of American fiction. It is a magnificent tale of adventure and obsession, featuring unforgettable characters and innovative digressions on the history of whaling. I also cherished "Bartleby the Scrivner," a wonderful story about a nobody who does nothing. So, when I learned that "The Confidence Man" was Melville's final novel and a precursor of modern novels that was underappreciated by his contemporaries, I was thrilled. This would be the master at the zenith of his powers, experimenting with novel structures and narrative techniques. What I discovered instead was several hundred pages of archetypal characters sermonizing.

I can fathom why some critics have deemed the structure modern, given the absence of a traditional plot, the deliberate lack of clarity, and the moral ambiguity. However, on the whole, I found the book to be more of a throwback to the classical style. It adheres to the unity of time and place (the entire story occurs on April 1, 18__ on a riverboat traveling down the Mississippi), and the outer framing of the characters and location serves merely as a vehicle for the characters to deliver philosophical speeches that bear little resemblance to real dialogue, in the same style followed by Plato, Cicero, and other great writers of the ancient world.

I did like the fact that the title character is never clearly identified and that none of the characters who attempt to ingratiate themselves with their fellow passengers are ever unambiguously labeled as frauds. Although the implication is that they are all frauds, the book could be interpreted as a benign masquerade that is either a huge April Fool's joke or an earnest attempt to encourage people to be more trusting. However, it would have been far more effective for me if there had been a single memorable character or if there had been more of a story. I understand why Melville chose to make the characters archetypal and unmemorable as a reflection of the confidence man's business and why he opted for no actual plot, as it mirrors life. But the unfortunate consequence of these choices for me was to make the entire experience of reading this book tiresome, leading me to believe that perhaps this was due to Melville being embittered and burnt out rather than it being a mature work of genius.

Undoubtedly, after reading this book, I can consider Melville as "one of the greatest writers I have ever read."

One day, a mute man boards a ship named "Faith" sailing on the Mississippi River and writes on a board, "Mercy never brings any evil to mind." Then all the passengers embark on a thought journey, character by character. This journey unfolds along the shores of social and political criticism.

In "Infinite Jest," the expression "a jolly orgy of destruction" is used, and in my opinion, this is the definition that best describes this novel.

Melville's works are filled with profound themes and complex characters. His writing style is both powerful and engaging, drawing the reader into a world of deep思考 and reflection. Through his stories, he explores the human condition, the nature of good and evil, and the power of redemption.

"Faith" is just one example of Melville's remarkable talent as a writer. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page, making you question your own beliefs and values.

If you are a lover of literature, then I highly recommend that you read Melville's works. You will not be disappointed.

The novel stands as a timeless piece of literature. However, it is only Melville's convoluted sentences that offer a hint of the era in which it was penned and set.

The story unfolds on board the Fidele, a passenger steamer that traverses the bustling river. People are in a constant state of comings and goings, like the flotsam and jetsam of life on the Mississippi.

The reader must remain perpetually vigilant, just like their fictional counterparts, to avoid being "taken in" by the fraudster, the "con" man, or whatever one may choose to call him. Such individuals can assume various disguises - financier, politician, clergyman. In essence, they are all "salesmen" in one way or another.

In today's context, perhaps they are engaged in money laundering, selling a particular ideology, or even fighting over Brexit.

But the question remains: is it healthy to always be on guard and always distrust? Is man inherently good or evil, and what role does Christ's teaching play in all of this? It seems to me that He too is present on the boat somewhere.

This novel not only tells a captivating story but also prompts us to reflect on deeper philosophical and moral questions that are as relevant today as they were in the time when the novel was written.

Moby-Dickheads, take note: y'ain't seen nuthin' yet.

This statement serves as a bold proclamation, challenging those who are familiar with the classic tale of Moby-Dick. It implies that there is something even greater or more extraordinary waiting to be discovered or experienced.

It could be suggesting that the story of Moby-Dick is just the tip of the iceberg, and that there are hidden depths or new perspectives that have yet to be explored.

Maybe it's hinting at a new interpretation of the novel, a different way of looking at the characters, themes, or symbolism.

Or perhaps it's teasing a completely new work that will build upon the legacy of Moby-Dick and take it in an unexpected direction.

Whatever the case may be, this statement piques the curiosity of those who have an interest in Moby-Dick and leaves them eager to find out what exactly they haven't seen yet.

It encourages them to keep their eyes open and their minds receptive, ready to be amazed by what lies ahead.

So, Moby-Dickheads, get ready for something truly remarkable. The adventure is just beginning.

Combustible, brilliant, and dialectical, it is like a Marx brothers film in the mid American 19th Century. Literally filled with ramshackle, charming, sleazy, opportunistic, phantasmal, eccentric, grotesque, gaudy, and loquacious characters.

These characters are all out to do several things. First, they talk to anyone, about anything, especially their own opinions, biases, agendas, philosophies, and observations. Second, they trick others, as described above, to "con" anyone they can get their hands on to abide by or follow or merely acknowledge their particular grievances and demands. Third, they make money by begging, borrowing, selling, stealing, panhandling, wheedling, commiserating, gypping, or simply buying and selling. Fourth, they strive to survive in this ship of fools that has a definite Melville-ian touch of foreboding, decadence, and chaos. Nobody here gets out alive, it seems. Everybody is flying by the seat of their pants and everyone is (or seems to be) desperately trying to talk themselves out of thinking about it for very long, if at all.

"The Confidence Man" serves as a devastating critique of the rootlessness of American life and the chaotic fabric of the society we know a little better than our ancestors did more than 150 years ago. The formlessness of many of the usual social blocks, such as class, hereditary privilege, and indigenous roots in the soil, is very much part of the drift and sway of the Fidele as it heads down the Mississippi river.

The whole experience of reading this text (Novel? Digression? Dialogues? Sketches?...) has everything that is now known to be categorized as 'Post-modernism': discordant narrative, free interplay of signs and identities, and constantly re-imagined borders of the self, language, and the world at large. The humor, the self-awareness of the narrative creating itself out of itself, and the self-mocking overtures of any definitive statement or final Logos add to its unique charm.

In a way, it sort of reminded me of Richard Linklater's film "Slacker", in that it has a similar rambling, spontaneous, chain of conversational quality. The camera is always moving from table to table as everyone carries on their conversations at any spot at which they happen to be: Smurfs, political insights, Madonna's pap smear, suicide notes, conspiracies, and conversations.

It's absolutely indispensable reading for anyone who is, like me, obsessed with the "psyche" or "soul", "spirit" or "inner nature" of America.

To quote the typist in Eliot’s “The Waste Land”; 'Well now that's done: and I'm glad it's over.'

This line from Eliot's famous work seems to capture a sense of relief and finality. It could be applied to many situations in life.

Perhaps it's after completing a difficult project at work, or finally finishing a long and arduous task. The typist's words convey a feeling of having endured something and now being able to move on.

It also makes one think about the nature of work and the satisfaction that comes from getting things done. Sometimes, the process can be tiring and even frustrating, but when it's all over, there's a sense of accomplishment.

Overall, this simple quote from “The Waste Land” holds a lot of meaning and can resonate with people on many different levels.

Absolutely Hilarious

Laughter is truly the best medicine, and when something is absolutely hilarious, it has the power to brighten our day and bring joy to our lives.

Hilarious moments can come in many forms, whether it's a funny joke, a comical situation, or a hilarious movie. They have the ability to make us forget our troubles and simply enjoy the moment.

When we encounter something that is absolutely hilarious, our natural response is to laugh out loud. This laughter not only feels good physically, but it also has a positive impact on our mental health. It can reduce stress, improve our mood, and even strengthen our immune system.

So, the next time you come across something that is absolutely hilarious, don't hold back your laughter. Embrace the moment and let the joyous sound of laughter fill the air.

Remember, life is too short not to find humor in the little things and enjoy the hilarious moments that come our way.

A Ship of Fools

Beliefs are often considered as scams. There is no absolute guarantee of the existence of God, the nature of man, or the inevitability of progress. However, cynicism is also a form of scam. Without belief, action becomes impossible. We are faced with a choice: be conned or die. It seems absurd, just like life itself.

In this complex world, we are constantly bombarded with different ideas and beliefs. Some people blindly follow them, while others reject them outright. But the truth is, we cannot escape the need for belief. Whether it is belief in a higher power, in ourselves, or in the possibility of a better future, it is what gives us the motivation to act.

Cynicism may seem like a safe haven, protecting us from being deceived. But in reality, it only leads to inaction and despair. We must be willing to take risks and have faith, even if there are no guarantees. Because in the end, it is our beliefs that shape our lives and determine our destiny.

Melville's last novel is truly a strange one.

It presents a unique and perhaps even baffling world that challenges the reader's expectations.

The story may take unexpected turns, filled with complex characters and their mysterious motives.

The language used is rich and evocative, yet at times difficult to fully grasp.

It seems as if Melville was exploring the outer reaches of his creativity, pushing the boundaries of what a novel could be.

Despite its strangeness, there is an undeniable allure to this final work.

It invites the reader to delve deeper, to try and解开 the谜团 that it presents.

Perhaps with multiple readings, a greater understanding can be achieved, but even then, there may always be an air of mystery surrounding this strange and captivating novel.

The worst experience of my life.

If you ever find yourself thinking, "Hmm, maybe I should read The Confidence-Man," don't. Let me tell you why. This book was an absolute nightmare to get through. The story was convoluted and confusing, with characters that were difficult to understand and a plot that seemed to go nowhere.

The writing style was overly complex and filled with long, drawn-out sentences that made it a struggle to keep up. I found myself constantly rereading passages just to try and make sense of what was going on.

Not only was the book itself a disappointment, but it also left me feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. I had high hopes for it, but it failed to deliver on every level. Save yourself the trouble and skip this one. There are plenty of other great books out there waiting for you to discover.

This book was truly peculiar.

The blurb on the back of my paperback claims that the book “survived the dismal reception it received in 1857”.

After having finished reading it, I now understand why its reception was so dismal.

It is a combination of vignettes that feature fast-talking con men and their targets, along with philosophical debates and hypotheticals that would be suitable for an ethics class.

Getting through this book, especially the more philosophical parts, felt like trudging through wet sand.

“That each member of the human guild is worthy of respect, my friend, rejoined the cosmopolitan, is a fact which no admirer of that guild will question; but that, in view of higher natures, the word sublime, so frequently applied to them, can, without confusion, be also applied to man, is a point which man will decide for himself; though, indeed, if he decide it in the affirmative, it is not for me to object.”

Melville surely could have done better.

Perhaps if the book had been more focused or if the philosophical discussions had been presented in a more engaging way, it might have received a better reception.

As it stands, however, it is a rather challenging read that may not be to everyone's taste.

Nonetheless, it is an interesting piece of literature that offers some food for thought, especially for those interested in ethics and human nature.