Moby Dick: or the Whale

By: Herman Melville

Narrated by: Mark Nelson

Length: 23 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Moby-Dick is widely considered to be the Great American Novel and a treasure of world literature. The story details the adventures of the wandering sailor Ishmael and his voyage on the whale ship Pequod, commanded by Captain Ahab. Ishmael soon learns that Ahab seeks one specific whale: Moby Dick, a ferocious, enigmatic white sperm whale. In a previous encounter, the whale destroyed Ahab's boat and bit off his leg. And Ahab intends to take revenge.

Public Domain (P)2011 Trout Lake Media

Kind of boring

Any additional comments?

I realize this is a classic, and I am ashamed that this is the first time I have read/listened to it, but I found it incredibly boring. I couldn't even imagine trying to read it.

One of the greats

A must read. Or I should say I must listen. Very well done. This classic well survive the edges and you have done a wonderful job of putting it on audible. The performance was excellent and the book speaks for itself.

Beautiful narration brought the book to life

I originally bought this book thinking that it would be a good one to go to sleep to. I had always heard that it was the most boring and long-winded book ever written.

Mark Nelson's narration was simultaneously calming and engaging. He does a brilliant job with different voices, and he dramatizes the right parts without overdramatizing.

Let me just say that I don't believe I would have ever attempted to read this as a book. It would have been too heavy to lug around, and I would have been intimidated by the size and its reputation for being so boring. However, as an audiobook, it exceeded my expectations.

Anyone who knows anything about Moby Dick or Herman Melville knows that Moby Dick is an exercise in descriptive writing. On paper, that kind of description gets old really fast, but in audiobook format, you feel as if you were there, on board the ship, getting to know the crewmen and the whaling industry.

I should mention that this book is not for the faint of heart. I almost didn't survive the descriptions of how to dissect a whale in the open ocean and the looks on the whales faces as they lay dying. There is quite a lot of gore involved that would be dificult if not offensive for animal lovers to endure. However, if you enjoy studying animals, rest assured that you will have an in-depth knowledge of whales and whale anatomy by the end of the book.

Melville uses the Bible and Biblical comparisons throughout the book, and generally, he does this well. He even has a sense of humor. I found myseslf laughing out loud on several occasions while listening to some of his more imaginative similes and metaphors.

It didn't turn out to be the bedtime book I had imagined, but it did turn out to be a whale of a tale that I enjoyed. Thank you Mark Nelson for bringing Moby Dick to life.

Great reader!

Classic book, with a great narrator. Outstanding. The best way to experience this great book.

Must Read for American Literature Buffs

So glad I decided, a bit late in life, to take on this book. There is so much more to it than I even expected. The language can be a bit of tough sledding, but that is part of the fun. I actually felt like I was learning a new language as I went along. Likewise with Melville’s rather long asides on the science of whales and the whaling industry (actually left me wanting more). Moby Dick is, indeed, a masterpiece, and I see now why it is one of the most studied and analyzed works in all of American fiction. I am definitely going to read more Melville, and probably Moby Dick for a second time, also.

Nice though not short nor sweet

Would you listen to Moby Dick: or the Whale again? Why?

Probably not and if I do it will be only for academic purpouses.

What about Mark Nelson’s performance did you like?

The voice change between characters is nice though elderly characters tend to sound the same.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole relationship of the narrator with Queequeg was very sweet and light-hearted.

Any additional comments?

Being the first time I encounter Mobby Dick, I think this audible book helped me a lot not getting lost. The book is not by anyway easy but what classic of those times really is?

Emotive literary narrative of lost whaling culture

Symbolism, song, poetry, superstition, religion, philosophy, and fascinating seafaring knowledge, as well as the forgotten culture associated with the U.S. whaling industry of the early 19th century, are all explored with the meticulous lens of an emotionally-packed artistic literary narrative style.

Accessible Classic

I own a nice leather-bound edition of this book. It's been collecting dust on my bookshelf for almost two decades. I've attempted to read it a few times; however, never made it beyond chapter three.

Thanks to Audible and their $2.95 pricing for this book, I was finally able to experience the brilliance of this story for myself. Sometimes it's nice to have someone else do the reading on these meaty classics.

True, the narration is not the best. The pacing is a bit fast, but still a good listen. Mark Nelson, with this title at least, is more of a reader than a voice actor.

Difficult but it's clear why it's a classic

Lo that more souls would flip these pages, though it be as a tremendous mountain to overcome. The story is epic to be sure but in Mellville's constant metaphoric prose lies the true treasure. And though Nelson's performance comes off as pedestrian at first, his talent shines as the story progresses like the sun rising to its height at noon.

I DID IT..!!!!

Struggle to finish. But wanted to say I'd read the Classic Moby Dick. So I conquered the novel.