Despite reading Nathaniel Philbrick’s brief little treatise, Why Read Moby-Dick, I’m still asking myself this question. Really.
Ok, I read Moby-Dick while doing a master’s degree in American Studies. I get it–it’s a classic and I was doing a degree where reading the tome makes sense. But seriously, what did I get out of it? Not a lot. I don’t think that I “got” the book at all.
But Philbrick’s explanation of the book and its importance makes total sense. Why didn’t the professor I had THEN make these points about the book? Maybe he didn’t “get” it either, but just required the text because, well, it’s a classic.
So–do I think you should read Moby-Dick. Let me recommend to you that you read Philbrick’s Why Read Moby-Dick instead. Or, if you feel like that’s dishonest, read Philbrick’s little book first. Or read it afterward. Or read it WHILE you are reading Moby-Dick.
The whole Moby-Dick thing will make so much more SENSE if Philbrick’s holding your hand through it.
Have you read Philbrick’s In the Heart of the Sea? Great story that actually inspired Melville’s Moby Dick.
listened to it on audio. I’ve read or listened to all Philbrick’s books. Good stuff!