Showing results by author "Herman Melville" in All Categories

Written as an introductory story to The Piazza Tales, the protagonist of The Piazza idealizes a radiant spot on the mountain that he looks upon from his piazza. Traveling to the spot he realizes it is a house, occupied by the unhappy girl Marianna, who longs to see the lucky individual who lives in the white house she looks upon from her window. The narrator realizes he has been the object of a fantasy like his own, and leaves thinking how all idealism is an illusion.

The Encantadas (or Enchanted Isles) is a series of 10 descriptive sketches, and a reminiscence from Melville's sailor days revealing the ecologically pristine Galapagos Islands as both enchanting and horrifying. Containing some of Melville's most memorable prose, The Encantadas was a critical success at a time when Melville's fortunes were down. After publication, the New York Dispatch cited the chapters as universally considered among the most interesting papers of that popular magazine, and each successive chapter was read with avidity by thousands.

In 1797, young Billy Budd is impressed into naval service. It is a perilous time for a British Royal Navy still reeling from mutinies and marauding French ships. When Billy is forcibly transferred to HMS Bellipotent, he evokes the wrath of John Claggart, the ship's master-at-arms. Claggart falsely accuses Billy of conspiracy to mutiny, a charge that will have a profound effect on the fates of both seamen.

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.

Dive into the intriguing world of Bartleby The Scrivener, a thought-provoking tale that explores the complexities of individuality and the intricacies of human relationships in the workplace. Follow the enigmatic Bartleby as he challenges societal norms and the expectations of his employer, raising questions about compliance, resistance, and the human condition.

Discover Mardi, Melvilles captivating first foray into purely fictional narrative. In this thought-provoking tale, he delves into humanitys diverse beliefs, questioning whether one faith holds more significance than another—or if they are merely illusions. Through the protagonists allegorical journey across the South Pacific, Melville offers a poetically existential exploration of religious truths. But is this all that Mardi encompasses? Join us as we unravel the layers of this profound work. (Summary by James K. White)

Dive into the captivating world of Herman Melvilles Piazza Tales, a collection of six compelling short stories first published in May 1856. Featuring the newly penned title story, The Piazza, this anthology showcases some of Melvilles most celebrated works, including Bartleby, the Scrivener, Benito Cereno, and The Encantadas, which beautifully captures the essence of the Galápagos Islands. While these tales reflect Melvilles literary genius, they also reveal the eras troubling views on race, as seen in Benito Cereno. Narrated by John Greenman, this collection invites listeners to explore the ...

Dive into the haunting beauty of The Encantadas or Enchanted Isles, a thought-provoking novella by the renowned American author Herman Melville. First published in Putnams Magazine in 1854, this collection of ten philosophical sketches explores the enigmatic Galápagos Islands. Included in The Piazza Tales in 1856, The Encantadas stands out as the most critically acclaimed piece of the collection. With rich symbolism woven throughout, Melville masterfully reflects on the harsh realities of life in this remote paradise.

Beneath the wide and wandering sky, this podcast casts its lines into the deep waters of story, history, and the restless questions that follow humankind wherever the tide may carry it. Each episode is a voyage - part chronicle, part meditation - where books become ships and ideas the shifting winds that drive them onward. Listeners are invited to step aboard, to hear tales of ambition and obsession, of quiet scholarship and roaring seas, and to consider what it means to chase knowledge across an ever-moving horizon. Come not merely to listen, but to sail, through the books of Herman Melville.

White Jacket, or The World in a Man-of-War by Herman Melville is a semi-autobiographical novel that explores life aboard a U.S. Navy frigate during the 19th century. The story follows a sailor known as White Jacket, who narrates his experiences and observations of ship life, from the harsh discipline to the camaraderie among the crew. Melville vividly depicts the physical and moral challenges faced by sailors, critiquing naval practices such as flogging and the oppressive hierarchy aboard the ship. Through White Jacket's journey, the novel reflects broader themes of individuality, freedom, and...

Moby-Dick, or The Whale by Herman Melville is a classic novel following Ishmael, a sailor who joins the whaling ship Pequod. The ship is captained by Ahab, an obsessive and vengeful man seeking to kill Moby Dick, a massive white whale that previously maimed him. As the voyage progresses, Ahab’s relentless pursuit leads the crew into peril. The novel explores themes of fate, obsession, and humanity’s struggle against nature. With rich symbolism, philosophical depth, and detailed depictions of whaling life, Moby-Dick is a profound meditation on existence, culminating in a tragic and ...

MOBY DICK – HERMAN MELVILLEAudiolibro completo in italiano letto dalla voce dell’Oste della Locanda della Tormenta.La più grande caccia mai raccontata. Il capitano Achab sfida l’immensità dell’oceano e la leggendaria balena bianca in un viaggio senza ritorno.Tra tempeste, silenzi e abissi, Moby Dick diventa la metafora eterna dell’uomo contro il destino. In questa edizione integrale, la voce profonda e solenne della Locanda della Tormenta restituisce tutta la potenza del capolavoro di Herman Melville: un romanzo d’avventura, filosofia e follia, che continua a parlare al cuore...

Herman Melville's life and writings continue to resonate with readers, inviting them into a world of adventure, philosophy, and introspection. His works inspire deep reflection on the human condition and the mysteries of existence. Melville's legacy as a literary pioneer, exploring the depths of the human psyche and confronting existential questions, remains enduring. His contribution to American literature and his ability to capture the essence of human experience make him a figure of profound significance in literary history.

In those houses which are strictly double houses that is, where the hall is in the middle the fireplaces usually are on opposite sides; so that while one member of the household is warming himself at a fire built into a recess of the north wall, say another member, the former's own brother, perhaps, may be holding his feet to the blaze before a hearth in the south wall the two thus fairly sitting back to back. Is this well? Be it put to any man who has a proper fraternal feeling. Has it not a sort of sulky appearance?

Herman Melville's "Israel Potter" is the fictionalised tale of a man who really did fight in the American Revolution, a man who lived a life of very real adventure. After fighting in the revolution, he went on to be a part of the newly established United States Navy, ended up serving as a secret courier for Benjamin Franklin.

Explore the depths of human nature and moral ambiguity with a collection of stories that delve into the complexities of authority, trust, and the shadows of the human psyche. The themes suggested by the title offer a rich exploration of power dynamics and the tension between appearance and reality. This podcast features a rotating selection of complete audiobooks, with a different narrative unfolding each week. Experience a wide array of perspectives, spanning various eras and styles, that illuminate the diverse facets of these intricate themes. Perfect for those seeking to satisfy their ...

Step into a world where the meeting of minds and cultures creates a dynamic atmosphere of exchange and discovery. The title suggests a setting filled with social interactions, vibrant discussions, and a mix of perspectives that challenge and enrich one another. This podcast presents a rotating selection of full-length audiobooks, each week featuring a different story that captures the essence of communal life and the exploration of ideas across various landscapes. With a diverse range of voices and narratives from different eras and styles, listeners can enjoy a fresh perspective on the ...

Two Tales From Herman Melville includes "The Lightning-Rod Man" and "The Bell-Tower."

KLASYCZNA MORSKA POWIEŚĆ PRZYGODOWA HERMANA MELVILLE’A W WERSJI DLA DZIECI. TEJ KSIĄŻKI NIE SPOSÓB ODŁOŻYĆ NA PÓŁKĘ! Kapitanem Ahabem targa obsesja zemsty za wszelką cenę na Moby Dicku – gigantycznym białym wielorybie, z którym podczas ostatniego rejsu stoczył śmiertelną walkę. Młody marynarz Izmael oraz jego przyjaciel Queequeg, a także reszta załogi statku wielorybniczego „Pequod”, opływają w poszukiwaniu Moby Dicka połowę kuli ziemskiej. Napotykają na swojej drodze wszystko: ogromne kałamarnice, tajfuny, syreny i piratów! Ale czy uda im się schwytać kaszalota?

The tale is one of the final works of fiction published by Melville before, slipping into despair over the continuing critical dismissal of his work after Moby-Dick, he abandoned publishing fiction. The work is presented here exactly as it was originally published in Putnam's magazine to, sadly, critical disdain.