tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post1760987078331431430..comments2024-03-27T06:22:50.868+01:00Comments on From My Mental Library: Read in 2016 - 42: The Life of Herman MelvilleLibrarianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05704656564078750607noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-7671988722389028112016-11-29T19:55:02.835+01:002016-11-29T19:55:02.835+01:00From what I gathered of the biography reviewed her...From what I gathered of the biography reviewed here, his most successful novels were his earliest ones, about adventures at Sea, highly popular at the time. He himself did not even consider them good literature, but those of his works he found the best never sold well.Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05704656564078750607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-31881900626935943372016-11-29T17:21:42.750+01:002016-11-29T17:21:42.750+01:00I have Moby Dick in Swedish in my bookcase, and kn...I have Moby Dick in Swedish in my bookcase, and know I read it back in my youth, but I think I found it rather heavy reading. A shorter novel by Melville, 'Billy Budd, Sailor' was included in one of my English literature courses at university - but I wouldn't even have remembered that if not for the fact that I still have the book (Billy Budd, Sailor And Other Stories)... Judging by the notes in the book, I'd say I probably never read any of the other stories included in it. But Billy Budd we obviously had to study very thoroughly - and it was full of difficult words, too! DawnTreaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04533307672147117843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-70101648427375922792016-11-25T20:59:46.450+01:002016-11-25T20:59:46.450+01:00Never mind, I knew you ment Melville when you wrot...Never mind, I knew you ment Melville when you wrote Neville :-)Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05704656564078750607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-34912026193786870982016-11-25T20:59:18.244+01:002016-11-25T20:59:18.244+01:00...which is precisely why I have not read it, and ......which is precisely why I have not read it, and probably never will, Kay!<br />Yes, I remember your post about The Heart of the Sea, and like you, I love books based on real stories.Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05704656564078750607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-61669625820282896932016-11-25T20:58:35.093+01:002016-11-25T20:58:35.093+01:00I laughed out loud at your last line, Mike!
I'...I laughed out loud at your last line, Mike!<br />I've never even read a kids' version of Moby Dick... Somehow I doubt I ever will read it. I read mostly for entertainment (fiction) and information (non-fiction), but Melville's books do not really sound as if they are my cup of tea (speaking of drinks...!).Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05704656564078750607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-20216737343997376322016-11-25T19:45:56.847+01:002016-11-25T19:45:56.847+01:00Typing this on tiny tablet, sorry for spelling err...Typing this on tiny tablet, sorry for spelling errors!Kay G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07228498846814735537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-23756872036037842972016-11-25T19:41:59.586+01:002016-11-25T19:41:59.586+01:00Remember the post I did about In The Heart of the ...Remember the post I did about In The Heart of the Sea? Herman Melville really based his Moby Dick book on that true story. Also, no offense to Neville, but Moby Dick is ...a bit much. Still, you know I am not one for fiction!Kay G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07228498846814735537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-9746376854637110422016-11-25T19:34:08.955+01:002016-11-25T19:34:08.955+01:00That's interesting - I had no idea. I should ...That's interesting - I had no idea. I should look out Moby Dick and give it a go - I read a kids' version when I was much younger, but have never read the full one. So many geniuses have troubled lives - which reminds me, it's time for a drink.Mike@Bit About Britainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08741370413282813229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-70300219171010343882016-11-24T08:44:47.790+01:002016-11-24T08:44:47.790+01:00Our taste in and understanding of literature certa...Our taste in and understanding of literature certainly changes as we grow up, which is fine and natural.<br />As for Gregory Peck, I adore him, too - one of my all-time favourite actors!Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05704656564078750607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-60879587378310580622016-11-24T08:43:54.892+01:002016-11-24T08:43:54.892+01:00Thank you, Mary, I'm glad my brief review was ...Thank you, Mary, I'm glad my brief review was interesting to you.<br /><br />Yes, we both enjoy clothes, I gather that from your blog, too!Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05704656564078750607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-1902335833906599112016-11-24T06:35:31.008+01:002016-11-24T06:35:31.008+01:00I adore Gregory Peck, even as the dark Captain Aha...I adore Gregory Peck, even as the dark Captain Ahab. Moby Dick is a great book, but I had to grow up to appreciate it. I thought it was boring when I read it in high school. I felt the same way about The Old Man and the Sea. I read that one in honors English when I was only 13, and couldn't appreciate it properly at that age.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12512800812290518552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1949425054295660529.post-87372885948232418392016-11-23T16:28:29.704+01:002016-11-23T16:28:29.704+01:00Such an interesting story about Melville and the l...Such an interesting story about Melville and the life he led. I had no idea really, and like many really only knew him regarding his Moby Dick story. Like so many creative souls, especially writers and painters, they struggled close to poverty, suffering health and social issues, and were only recognized for their often glorious bodies of work after death.<br />Thanks for sharing - sounds like a good way to have a quick read and learn a lot!<br />Mary -<br />P.S. Liked reading your take on dressing in dresses - I think we both enjoy clothes!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11915239653283205065noreply@blogger.com