Moby-Dick

by Herman Melville

Book Overview

Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read First published in 1851, Herman Melville's masterpiece is, in Elizabeth Hardwick's words, "the greatest novel in American literature." The saga of Captain Ahab and his monomaniacal pursuit of the white whale remains a peerless adventure story but one full of mythic grandeur, poetic majesty, and symbolic power. Filtered through the consciousness of the novel's narrator,...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553213113
• ISBN13: 9780553213119
• Release Date: March 1981
• Publisher: Bantam Classics
• Length: 670 Pages
• Weight: 0.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.3" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 3 to 5 years

Customer Reviews

Wrong Book

The jacket was in good shape and was clearly Moby Dick. The book inside was Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë!!

Wrong version in much worse condition

The version of the book was different than expected and in worse condition with major damage on the front cover.

Was sent the wrong book…

I got sent the condensed version

Underwhelming

I honestly thought this was going to be a good book, but it was extremely underwhelming. The overall premise was not good, and there was constant reference to different whale species, that overshadowed the storyline.

Ordered Moby Dick, Not The Children's Version

I ordered Moby Dick and was sent the 192 page children's version...I didn't order the Children's version. I ordered the full novel in hardback.

Sent an abridged children’s book

Make sure to look up the edition you are purchasing on the publisher’s website. No where in the description did it say I was buying a children’s book. Extremely disappointing.

This is a children's book

Hey, you guys are usually so good so this was so disappointing. This is an illustrated children's book.

yep got the kids book

My bad for not checking the reviews first, ig. I too also ended up getting sent the kids book despite the details listing a different edition, page number etc

moby dick, or: capatilism and the death of the american dream

you know those books that everyone and their mother is saying 'you got to read this, it's so good, it's a classic'? the ones that make you dig in your heels to try and avoid it? this is one of those. the reason things are considered classics might be because on the surface level they work but go deeper and it's about whatever you can make of it. hence my review title, it's a good book despite being called 'a classic'

Like several others, I received the kids' book.

Ordered 0394608046, received 0766633403.

Moby Diick loved this book.

I learned so much about the Spermiscelli Whale and Captain Ahab, the long lost hours alone on the decks of the Whaling Vessels. My daughter bought this book for me for my birthday August 6, 1953.

Wrong edition

Description in listing was not clear. Received children's edition.

Sent childrens version of book..

As per other reviewers (shame on me for not reading reviews before purchase) I was sent the junior edition of this book (a childrens book) which is not what was advertised and not what I was looking for. Buyer beware

This was not what I ordered

I was a sent an abridged child’s book, not the classic novel I was looking for.

The Great American Epic!

One of the greatest novels ever written. A story with more to tell than any review can do justice. Read, and become immersed in the hunt for the Great White Whale!

Wrong book

Sent me the wrong book entirely. Was sent a book “ranch of dreams”, have never been sent the wrong book before, disappointing.

Sent me a children’s book. Not as advertised! 👎🏼

Sent a children’s book and that is not was advertising. Rip off! You lost a customer.

Good book but beware it’s not the children’s version.

It gets a little long winded at times but it’s good

Wrong book

I thought I was buying Moby Dick but I received a 200 page children version

Disappointed to receive the abreviqyed children's version.

Thought I was ordering Moby Dick, but received the abbreviated children's version.

Love it!!!

I love the cover so much and the quality for the price is amazing. The only thing I didn’t like was for some reason the top of the pages were orange. I still absolutely love it though :)

Whaling Classic with Modern Implications

Herman Melville, the author, shares many witty and serious insights about life and the foibles of human actions and beliefs in Moby Dick. It is not just about whaling, but a commentary in general about humanity. The description of whaling processes give the reader an insight into not only the methods of whaling, but the cruelty and savagery of killing such beautiful creatures. Even a person such as myself, who is against any whaling in this day and age, can appreciate Melville's commentary about whales, their personalities, their rights as fellow creatures to live on this planet!

Great fishing tales

Better than Babe Winkleman. This guy knows how to write about a fishing trip. SPOILER ALERT!!: Kinda thought he would have landed that big one in the end...

I May Be Biased But...

Readers say it's far too long, the cetacean history is tedious, who the heck cares how to best prep a harpoon line? Well if you're one of those folks who likes a good harpoon-prep scene, you're in for a treat. If not, you might learn something, and, failing that, the singular dexterity with which the author lays the words on the page will not only awe you but carry you into the very whale boat. You will feel in your guts the rush of the sleigh ride, you will breathe the sea air and taste the mist, you will feel the salt hardening on your hands and face. Don't like any of that? Unless there's no place you'd rather be than your rocker, this is escapism as good as it comes. And don't even get me started on timeless themes, unforgettable characters and a plot as fine as they come....

Worth the effort

Yes this is not for the faint of heart...tough sledding at times but the reward of allowing Melville's poetry to seep into your soul makes it well worth it. I read this in my 20's and didn't get it. Reading it again 20 years later I found the prose to be less dense and the story stands on it's own as one of the greatest. Forget the symbolism and enjoy the ride.

Well rounded but a little intense

The book has to be good to be considerd a litterary classic. Melvilles book about the obssesive Ahab, the Harpooner Quequay, the former teacher Ishimial and the White Whale is an excelent read but it may be too intense for younger readers. The hellish obssesion of Ahab may be a bit to much for some children. With all of that being said I do think that everyone at some time must read this it is a work of art.