Outwardly a narrative of events aboard a British man-of-war during the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars, this novel is a nautical recasting of the Fall, a parable of good and evil, a meditation on justice and political governance, and a portrait of three extraordinary men.
Herman Melville Books
August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891
Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. Though his early works garnered significant attention, they were not bestsellers, and his popularity waned considerably within a few years. By the time of his death, he had been largely forgotten, but his longest novel, now considered a seminal masterpiece of American and world literature, was rediscovered in the 20th century. Melville's writing is celebrated for its profound exploration of the human condition, moral complexities, and the intricate relationship between humanity, nature, and fate. His distinctive style, which masterfully blends thrilling narratives with philosophical depth and rich symbolism, continues to captivate readers globally.
Macmillan Readers Beginner: Billy Budd
- 64 pages
- 3 hours of reading
"1797 - the Mediterranean. Britain and France are at war. British warships are fighting French warships. Young Billy Budd arrives on the British warship, Indomitable. Billy is strong and handsome. Most of the sailors on the ship like Billy. But he has an enemy - John Claggart, the master-at-arms. Claggart hates Billy. And he has a plan. He will make trouble for the young sailor." -- Cover.
Weit über ›Moby-Dick‹ hinaus war Melville, der in seiner Jugend auf einem Postschiff, später auf einem Walfänger angeheuert hatte, ein Dichter des Meeres: Drei Jahre vor seinem Tod verlegte er anonym, zu Selbstkosten und in einer Auflage von nur 25 Stück die Gedichtsammlung ›John Marr und andere Matrosen‹, eine Hommage an die Kameradschaft auf See und an eine glanzvolle Epoche der Seefahrt, die mit dem amerikanischen Bürgerkrieg endete. Zu alt, um noch zur See zu fahren, haben John Marr, Bräutigam Dick und andere weitgereiste Männer sich im Inland Amerikas niedergelassen. Doch in der neuen Umgebung werden sie nicht heimisch; mit den gleichmütigen Landmenschen, für die das Meer nur ein »vages Gerücht« ist, verbindet sie nichts. Und so erwachen die Kameraden von einst in den Erinnerungen der Seemänner noch einmal zum Leben. Ihre Stimmen künden von vergangenen Zeiten voll Ehre und Mut, aber auch von Tod, Vergänglichkeit und unausweichlichem Schicksal. Eins ist klar in den Seemannsgedichten von Herman Melville: Ein echter Matrose kann nie zur Landratte werden. »Sturm ist Leben! – Lasst es stürmen!« Von der Sehnsucht nach Abenteuer und dem Leben im Augenblick erzählen Melvilles weitgehend unbekannte Texte. Ergänzt durch feinsinnige Zeichnungen von Pascal Cloëtta, bietet diese deutsche Erstübersetzung die Möglichkeit, eine wohlvertraute Stimme der amerikanischen Literatur neu zu entdecken. Englischer Originaltext im Anhang.
Great Sea Stories of the World
- 896 pages
- 32 hours of reading
The mysteries of the sea have provided an endless course of fascination for generations of writers and some of the world's best sea stories from over 100 famous authors are collected together in this splendid anthology. The book contains renowned work by Defoe, Marryat, Poe, Dumas, Melville, Conrad, Stevenson and Irving, all of whom were inspired by the sea.There are mythical adventures drawn from legends such as The Odyssey, Beowulf and The Arabian Nights; awe-inspiring stories about deep-sea creatures such as Moby-Dick; and thrilling descriptions of maritime battles and escapes from such famous novels as Kidnapped, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Ben Hur.With stories from 20 countries, spanning more than 2000 years and unequalled for sheer narrative skill and drama, this stirring anthology filled with maritime exploits will make compulsive reading.
The narrative follows Israel Potter, whose life spans fifty years of exile, drawing inspiration from a 19th-century pamphlet about the real-life figure Israel R. Potter. Set against a backdrop of adventure and personal struggle, the story explores themes of identity and resilience. Originally serialized in Putnam's Monthly magazine, it reflects Melville's intricate storytelling and engagement with historical events. The book's unique blend of fact and fiction highlights the complexities of exile and the quest for belonging.
A rich compendium of Herman Melville's greatest short works."
Moby Dick - Kid Classics
- 144 pages
- 6 hours of reading
Now the classic novel by Herman Melville is an illustrated storybook perfect for kids! Kid Classics: Moby Dick is full of adventure and excitement!
Moby Dick (Graphic Novel)
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
"A masterful adaptation of the timeless literary classic, faithfully and beautifully rendered by an award-winning artist. In striking black-and-white illustrations, Chaboute retells the story of the Great American Novel. Captain Ahab strikes out on a voyage, obsessively seeking revenge on the great white whale that took his leg. This hardcover edition collects both of the Vents d'Ouest volumes, printed in English for the first time"-- Provided by publisher
