Tag Archives: Herman Melville

Images of Moby Dick

Some are the famous Rockwell Kent illustrations (I have the copy of the book with those images in it – and more haunting images you will never see! He has created the looming leviathans of nightmares) … others are from … Continue reading

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The Books: “Ahab’s Wife” (Sena Jeter Naslund)

Daily Book Excerpt: Adult fiction: Even the title kind of embarrasses me. There is a lot that is embarrassing about this book. However I read it, and enjoyed it and also retained almost NONE of it. Ahab’s Wife: Or, The … Continue reading

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The Books: “Moby Dick” (Herman Melville)

Daily Book Excerpt: Adult fiction: Moby Dick by Herman Melville – fourth excerpt. Reading the chapter called “The Blanket” was one of the truly profound moments of my life. I’ll never forget it. I put the book down after reading … Continue reading

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The Books: ”Moby Dick” (Herman Melville)

Daily Book Excerpt: Adult fiction: Moby Dick by Herman Melville – third excerpt. We’re deep into the journey now. Ishmael has methodically taken us through a bazillion chapters – telling us about the ship, and fishing, and the crew. Ahab … Continue reading

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The Books: “Moby Dick” (Herman Melville)

Daily Book Excerpt: Adult fiction: Moby Dick by Herman Melville – second excerpt. Scrolling through the book, I find myself getting caught up in it again. Most of the chapters are short – 4 or 5 pages – so there’s … Continue reading

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The Books: “Moby Dick” (Herman Melville)

Daily Book Excerpt: Adult fiction: Moby Dick by Herman Melville I’m going to have to do a couple excerpts on this one. The book is dedicated to Nathaniel Hawthorne: “In token of my admiration for his genius this book is … Continue reading

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The Books: “Billy Budd” (Herman Melville)

Daily Book Excerpt: Adult fiction: Billy Budd by Herman Melville I’ve written before on here about my journey with Herman Melville: being forced to read him in high school – we read Billy Budd (which – oh my God – … Continue reading

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2007 Year in Pictures: Billy Budd

Breakfast at a local diner.

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“Shall I send you a fin of the Whale by way of a specimen mouthful?”

I love the friendship of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville – intense kindred spirits and artistic allies. Hawthorne “got” Melville’s greatness long before Melville’s reputation was rehabilitated posthumously. Moby Dick is, of course, dedicated to Nathaniel Hawthorne. Anyway, here’s a … Continue reading

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Billy Budd Is a Macho Macho Man

I rarely say I “hate” anything (unless it’s applesauce and coconut – damn you, Tom, daaaaamn you!) but I have a vivid memory of haaating Billy Budd, Sailor and Selected Tales in high school. I had to read a lot … Continue reading

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