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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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A classic then, a classic now

I didn't imagine how entranced into this book I would become. A fantastic and unexpected listen.

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Great book to listen to.

Difficult read made easy by the excellent narration. I was really impressed with the variety of character voices that I felt put me right in the scene.

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Laughed Out Loud for the First Half of the Book

I had no idea this book was so funny. I couldn't stop laughing for about the first half of the book. Then it got fairly serious and I enjoyed the latter part but not as much as the start. Overall, an extremely good read.

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Frank Muller is Ishmael

I have heard many renditions of Moby Dick, but nowhere have I heard so perfectly captured the drizzly autumn rain in Ishmael’s voice. Frank Muller not only captures the protagonist’s philosophic meanderings, but also delivers perfect encyclopedic narrations, gives voice to level headed Starbuck, jolly Stubb, mad Pip, and of course, moody Ahab. The crew springs to life and the starry cast is done full justice. I listened raptly for hours, lost in the contemplations of an erudite man from a century ago. For Ishmael’s soul bleeds into Melville’s, and the twain become one.

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Wonderful narration!

What a fantastic narrator. Probably the best reading of a book I've ever heard. Highly recommend.

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classic

this book is brilliantly written, and amazingly narrated. highly enjoyable. one my top 5 classics

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It's been too long since I read Melville.

Aside from learning all I want to know about whaling and the people who plied the world's ocean in that pursuit, Melville's writing is as impressive as any classical writer. And what a treat to be given all his references at the end. This isn't just a big fish story . . . this is an encyclopedia of whaling, seamanship and great writing style.

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Moby Duck

Enjoyed the reading. Frank Mueller did a really good job. I recommend this version to anyone who would prefer audio book.

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Great Read

A wonderfully descriptive and exciting tale!

it takes a while to get through this book yet it is well worth the time.

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Spermy the whale.

well that was a really good book. R.I.P., writer
May your soul flourish with the sperm whales. May they consume sperm.

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