Moby-Dick: a reading
Moby-Dick was first published in London, in October 1851, titled “The Whale.” The American edition, titled “Moby-Dick,” was published in November. Here’s a reading of the climax, when Captain Ahab’s language acquires an almost Biblical power. He finally confronts his hated enemy, the White Whale, destroys it and is destroyed by it. The entire crew of the Pequod, almost as obsessed by the hunt for Moby-Dick as Ahab, dies along with their captain. Only Ishmael survives to tell the tale, call-me-Ishmael, the only one for whom the whale is not an obsession. “From hell’s heart I stab at thee” has always been my favorite line from this immense and wonderful book.
This reading is free for all to hear. I’m going to occasionally read parts of my favorite books and stories, but they may eventually be for paid subscribers. Hope you enjoy. Thanks.
Moby-Dick: a reading
Wonderful reading. Such vividness of imagery and profundity of horror came alive in your voice. Thank you for posting this.
Probably my most envied and favorite book of all time. Unfortunately, it destroyed Herman Melville's career, but it's still the book many Europeans see as the quintessial American novel. Hideo Kojima, creator of Metal Gear Solid, used a whale in Metal Gear Solid 5, in the opening scene. Creative people always realize when the master is speaking to them. And Melville certainly speaks to me as well. That was a good read, but a small criticism: I think maybe putting a little biographic detail to it, like the page could help people unfamiliar to the text could find it. Like where the passage is from in the description could help people see where you are reading from. Otherwise, good job.