In the end, I think I feel deceived as a reader. Had this book been presented to me as a non-fiction piece, it would have been easier to swallow the chapters on ambergris (ch. 92) or the mechanics of a whale's breathing (ch. 85). It is never presented as such. Indeed, Moby Dick is talked about as one of America's great novels. I just don't see it. Cut out all the nonsense about the science and business of whaling and you might, I stress might, end up with a good short story. Though I have zero inclination to do so, I would be curious to see how long the book would be if it was stripped down to only the plot-relevant chapters. Regardless,I am of the unequivocal opinion that this book should be shot right out of the canon and cast back into the tepid waters from whence it came.
See also Part 1 and Part 2.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - Steve F
Thanks for the article - the paralleles between Moby Dick and Jaws have always fascinated me.
Your frustration with Melville comes through loud and clear, but isn't it unfair to compare a rambling 19 century novel and a modern high-tech film? SUrely the real comparison would be between Spielberg's and Huston's films, where I believe Moby Dick more than holds its own.