I don’t think I’m alone when I say I avoided reading this book for a long time because of the sheer size of it. I read this book later in high school, but paused to only finish it years later during my college years. It wasn’t any type of assigned reading I wanted to read it to say that I had because everyone seems familiar with it being one of the thickest books out there, alone with War and Peace, and even considered a ‘boring book’ and that it’s an achievement to finish it.
The story itself is basically about a man that has gone crazy chasing after a whale he lost his leg to on a past voyage. Ahab, the whaler after the sperm whale, is often described as monomaniacal (psychosis characterized by thoughts confined to one idea or group of ideas) which is one of my favorite words ever, but I digress. Ahab’s obsession on the whale that took his leg is the main item that pushes the story forward you also can see how Ahab is frustrated and saddened by his madness, he wishes to be free of this obsession.
There are plenty of beautiful metaphors which are done in such a way that gives credit to the author’s ability to tell a good story. It is a well written story, just a long one. Not recommended, ever, by anyone that wants a quick read or a beach book.
This review is a part of my 2020 yearlong self-challenge to read and review. I have reread some books for the purpose of reviewing them on my website whereas I have read others for the first time. Check out Book Reviews and Recommendations to find other book reviews, book recommendations, and more information about the books I’m reading, have read, or are sharing.
Have you read this book? What were your thoughts? Do you agree with me? Do you disagree? Let’s have a conversation about it.
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The Official Website of L. Bachman 