Books

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851. Full Description: MELVILLE, Herman. Moby-Dick; or, The Whale. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851. First edition. Large twelvemo (7 1/2 x 4 7/8 inches; 190 x 125 mm). xxiii, [1, blank], 634, [1, epilogue], [1, blank], [6, publisher's advertisements] pp. BAL first binding of drab purple-brown “A” cloth. Covers stamped in blind with a heavy rule frame and publisher's circular device at center. Spine stamped and lettered in gilt. Orange coated endpapers. Cloth somewhat soiled and lightly frayed at extremities, with some blistering to front cover and spine, but with no restoration. Light to moderate foxing throughout, but much less than usual and some minor soiling. Penciled signature on title-page. Endpapers a bit rubbed. Small bookseller sticker on front pastedown. Overall, a very good, tight copy. In a half black morocco over decorative paper clamshell case. "[Melville's] great book, Moby Dick, was a complete practical failure, misunderstood…

"Moby-Dick; or, The Whale," penned by Herman Melville in 1851, stands as a monumental work in American literature, melding adventure, philosophical inquiry, and deep symbolism. At its core, the novel narrates the obsessive quest of Captain Ahab, the monomaniacal commander of the whaling ship Pequod, to exact vengeance on Moby Dick, a gargantuan white sperm whale. Ahab's pursuit of the elusive leviathan, which had previously maimed him, becomes a profound exploration of ambition, madness, and humanity's struggle against the unfathomable forces of nature. The story is recounted by Ishmael, a sailor aboard the Pequod, who serves not only as a narrator but also as a philosophical observer, pondering the mysteries of existence and the interconnectedness of mankind and the natural world. The narrative weaves together Ishmael's reflections, the diverse tales of the ship's crew, and detailed expositions on whaling, creating a rich tapestry that transcends the conventions of its adventure story framework. "Moby-Dick" is celebrated for its ambitious scope, intricate symbolism, and the complexity of its themes. Melville's use of language is both grandiose and penetrating, capable of shifting from technical descriptions of whaling to eloquent meditations on the human condition. The novel's famous opening line, "Call me Ishmael," signals the beginning of a journey not just across the seas but into the depths of the soul and the paradoxes of existence. The fame of "Moby-Dick" lies not only in its narrative audacity but in its capacity to provoke endless interpretation. Ahab's quest against Moby Dick has been read as an allegory for the hubris of man, the inscrutability of fate, and the eternal battle against nature's indomitable will. Over time, the novel has transcended its initial lukewarm reception to become a cornerstone of American literature, revered for its profound insights into the human psyche and the darkness and light that reside within the human heart.