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