Reading List Completists discussion

My apologies, group! I just realized I never posted the general discussion thread for Moby Dick! Better late than never! :)

I thought I might include a funny meme with this first post. Here is a tip: Don't look up Moby Dick memes!

Hahaha...OMG, I can only imagine!
Will you be reading this book with us?

Scarlett wrote: "Hahaha...OMG, I can only imagine!
Will you be reading this book with us?"

I read it just a few years ago and did not care for it at all . . . so, I am not planning a reread . . . but I will keep my eye on the discussion! :)

Matthew wrote: "Scarlett wrote: "Hahaha...OMG, I can only imagine!
Will you be reading this book with us?"

I read it just a few years ago and did not care for it at all . . . so, I am not planning a reread . . . ..."

Too bad. I had heard so many awful things about the book before I read it, but was determined to read it anyway. I LOVED IT. Melville doesn’t get enough credit for all the humor he put into that book. I mean, a spermwhale and seamen? I thought it was brilliant.

Paula W wrote: "Too bad. I had heard so many awful things about the book before I read it, but was determined to read it anyway. I LOVED IT. Melville doesn’t get enough credit for all the humor he put into that book. I mean, a spermwhale and seamen? I thought it was brilliant. "

I am still hoping someone updates here with their reading progress on this soon. I HAVE LOTS OF THOUGHTS. But, in the interest of not spoiling things, I will just say that the actual story narrative could have been written to be a much shorter book. The genius of this novel, in my opinion, are the chapters everyone normally complains about — those “whale wikipedia” chapters that seem to give boring facts about whales. They aren’t boring. They are giving you so much more than encyclopedic whale knowledge. If you choose to read this, pay attention to those chapters. There are sex jokes, gender jokes, even a comparison of whales as the old angry man in the suburban neighborhoods yelling ‘Get off my lawn!’

I’m not rereading this time either - but I also loved the book - including the “boring bits”. Yes you had to be a little patient - but it’s one of the great ones

I may have just not been in the right frame of mind when I read this. But, from what I remember it is no one that will ever likely have me rushing out to reread it. But, I am glad to hear that others are enjoying (or have enjoyed)!

I read most of it in one night when I was in high school and had to write a paper that was due the next day. As a result, I remember virtually nothing about the book.

I'm sure I would have enjoyed the "boring stuff" about whales, but I probably skipped those parts due to the lack of symbolism that I needed for my paper.

Carol wrote: "I read most of it in one night when I was in high school and had to write a paper that was due the next day. As a result, I remember virtually nothing about the book.

I'm sure I would have enjoye..."

Ha! That is quite a story! Sounds like the first time I read Jane Eyre!

I think I owe my high school English teacher an apology for not paying attention when she taught parts of this book in class. Back then I found it boring and yawn-inducing, but now that I started from the beginning, I am beginning to see why she was so infatuated with this book. The imagery, the philosophy, the poetry of Melville’s syntax is all evident from the get-go. It’s too bad the only thing I learned about the book back then was that “Call me Ishmael” was my English teacher’s favorite opening line lol. But I am so glad I am giving this book a second chance. I rarely hate any book (three exceptions are Running With Scissors, Davita’s Harp, and A Head Full Of Ghosts.)

Ev wrote: "I think I owe my high school English teacher an apology for not paying attention when she taught parts of this book in class. Back then I found it boring and yawn-inducing, but now that I started f..."

Your evaluation of A Head Full Of Ghosts is spot on! ;)

Matthew wrote: "Ev wrote: "I think I owe my high school English teacher an apology for not paying attention when she taught parts of this book in class. Back then I found it boring and yawn-inducing, but now that ..."

Thanks. I wish I could purge it from my mind. Lol

I agree with Paula. I loved all the whale chapters.

I feel encouraged by Paula W.'s review. I've wanted to read this for so long and searched for a copy that wasn't in such tiny print as many classics in pocket book edition's to make it more enjoyable. I'm currently bogged down with other things and won't get to reading it till October'ish. Will add my thoughts then :)

I'm about a fifth of the way through and I'm really enjoying it so far. I had no idea Moby Dick had some humor in it. I'm taking it slow because I'm behind in other group reads but I feel like so far it's worth savoring a bit.

Finished today, a couple days late, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. I listened to the audiobook which I enjoyed. I have a print copy that I'm going to hold on to so I can read it again in the future.

I have to add that I was really in awe while listening to this and just kept thinking what a book for Melville to have given us that is kind of like a snapshot in time to me. Something that is so clear but also so wonderfully written that generations ahead can enjoy and almost smell the salt of the ocean as they read.

Marlise wrote: "Finished today, a couple days late, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. I listened to the audiobook which I enjoyed. I have a print copy that I'm going to hold on to so I can read it again in the future."

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! 😃

Marlise wrote: "I have to add that I was really in awe while listening to this and just kept thinking what a book for Melville to have given us that is kind of like a snapshot in time to me. Something that is so c..."

Yes it's a great one - audiobook sounds awesome