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Moby-Dick

By: Herman Melville
Narrated by: Frank Muller
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Publisher's summary

Its famous opening line, "Call me Ishmael", dramatic in its stark simplicity, begins an epic that is widely regarded as the greatest novel ever written by an American. Labeled variously a realistic story of whaling, a romance of unusual adventure and eccentric characters, a symbolic allegory, and a drama of heroic conflict, Moby Dick is first and foremost a great story. It has both the humor and poignancy of a simple sea ballad, as well as the depth and universality of a grand odyssey.

When Melville's father died in 1832, the young man's financial security went too. For a while he turned to school-mastering and clerking, but failed to make a sustainable income. In 1840 he signed up on the whaler, Acushnet, out of New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was just 21. A whaler's life turned out to be both arduous and dangerous, and in 1842, Melville deserted ship. Out of this experience and a wealth of printed sources, Melville crafted his masterpiece.

Public Domain (P)1987 Recorded Books, LLC.

Critic reviews

"Master narrator Frank Muller makes the most of his astonishing theatrical talents and vast experience to perform this tale of extraordinary drama. Muller uses emphasis and pauses to bring clarity to the visual depictions of life on the high seas, as seen by the doe-eyed Ishmael as he is led by the maniacal Captain Ahab. Listeners will hear the depth of emotions in Muller's voice as he paints the stark and shattering visuals of this classic story of revenge and, ultimately, survival." (AudioFile magazine)

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What listeners say about Moby-Dick

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One life is not enough....

One life is simply not enough to savour this lyrical epic from Melville: Unless, you have a master narrator like Frank Muller to spice it up ever so immeasurably.

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Better than any of the movies

I’ve seen a movie or two based off this book and this is better. There is no romance and setting the whole thing up to revolve around romance. There is no greed or quests for gold or any of the other trash they put in the movies. It’s about one man who wasn’t content with what he had, so he went looking for more and more. Each time got him in more and more trouble. In the end we need to look at what is around us before we run off to find what we’ve already had.

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Loved it!

Much better than I expected--largely because of the excellent, dynamic engaging narration in this audiobook. :)

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A wonderful classic

Well written, well read. I enjoyed this classic and found myself chuckling aloud several times at Melville's cleverness.

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There it blows.

Would you try another book from Herman Melville and/or Frank Muller?

Herman Melville maybe, Frank Muller was alright.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Some aspects of the tale including the final hunt were stirring. The total package was flawed.

Have you listened to any of Frank Muller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

NA

Was Moby-Dick worth the listening time?

To say I did it yes. I may try again as well.

Any additional comments?

Star Trek II Wrath of Khan really oversold this.

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Speechless

This is one of the best books ever written. Frank Muller's interpretation is phenomenal. It was an incredible adventure. One of those experiences that make life worth living.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Whaling instruction manual

Why this is considered a classic I’ll never understand. It reads more like a sailing/whaling instruction manual than it does a novel.

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Good Story/Excellent Narrator

Very detailed and wordy but intelligent. Narrator is wonderful to listen to as he sets a brisk pace.

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the white whale

Took me a while to get used to the narrator but after a while his voice grows on you and actually fits the story really well.

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Best book ever... or so they say.

It’s a great read. Bit long winded and the facts about wales are mostly outdated. The story, however, is amazing.

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