Status Updates From Pierre / Israel Potter / Th...

"A renowned clerical and philological conductor of a weekly publication of this kind, whose surprising proficiency in Greek, Hebrew, and Chaldaic, to which he had devoted by far the greater part of his life, peculiarly fitted him to pronounce unerring judgement upon works of taste in the English..." Moby Dick and Pierre wrecked Melville's career. Moby Dick was reappraised. I get why Pierre wasn't. But it's funny!

Verdant gothic. Like Rousseau on methamphetamines. I understand why this destroyed what was left of Melville's career, but I'm loving it.

According to Wikipedia, Pierre was met with pejorative review headlines like "Herman Melville Crazy." A few chapters in all I can say is Herman Melville Crazy (complimentary).

Just reading Pierre here and also Powells how the fuck do you not have ANY edition of this book in your system?? Herman fucking Melville! Embarrassing how often I go there and they don't have what I'm looking for. The Strand would never God I miss the East Coast.