This is clearly an American classic. The writing is incredible but I am finding it tough going. Ishmael's relationship with Queequeg is different than what I remember. But then I don't remember if I have ever read the entire book. I will this time.

Still plodding away. Boy, can Melville write. I will finish this.

Still reading and I am liking it more and more. Of course, I have not gotten to the sperm whale chapter yet. Melville is determined to make me like whaling.

The greatest american novel

Seemed like it took forever to get through this, but well worth it. I wish he would have condensed it a little. Not so many chapters on a topic.

Moby Dick the classic of Melville's books.

I know that I'm "supposed" to find this book filled with symbolism and whatnot but...it just reminds me of the books I was force fed during freshman english. Books that I "read" but could not allow myself to comprehend their deeper meaning.

Melville, is like "comfort food" for me, and even viewed through modern lenses, his work seems experimental and beyond its time, picking up, in some ways, where Poe left off after his untimely and bizarre demise in 1849. "Whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me that it requires a strong moreal principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off-- then I account it is high time to get" my hands on this book as soon as I can.
And so should you. End your prejudice and read these classics.

just because it is a classic does not mean I found it to be enjoyable.

Very difficult read, but well worth it. This book is such a deep read. I read once, listened to audio version. Really want to read it again.

Literally become immersed in Captain Queeg's obsession with the white whale. This is my all time favorite book as Melville develops the characters and story and spellbinding conclusion. This collection also includes Billy Budd, a tale of innocence lost on the high seas. If you liked the movie Master and Commander with Russell Crowe you will enjoy these stirring tales of the sea.

umm I might never finish this, sorry cullen.

Woohoo! I finished it! One of the harder books I've read. I felt like Melville needed a strong-fisted editor at times, to keep him focused. Though Ishmael is the 'narrator', the piece is often not in his voice. The lectures on whales and whaling, if we believe Ishmael is self-taught, could be considered in his voice; but the internal monologues of Ahab, Starbuck and the other mates can't be. There's no way another character would be privy to that. And then there are several scenes that Ishmael could not have witnessed...So, point of view really bothered me.

In many ways this is one of the earliest examples of multi-genre I've read. There may be others I just don't know about. But, 1st person narrative, lectures, nonfiction essays, interior monologues, and even scenes from plays...What a monumental undertaking this was.

And Moby Dick? Doesn't even appear until the last 30 or so pages...How interesting is that! Would this statement be considered a spoiler??

Glad I read it; gladder that I've finished it.

read this in high school. timeless classic. enough said.