Moby Dick

By: Herman Melville

Narrated by: William Hootkins

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Over a century and a half after its publication, Moby Dick still stands as an indisputable literary classic. It is the story of an eerily compelling madman pursuing an unholy war against a creature as vast and dangerous and unknowable as the sea itself. But more than just a novel of adventure, more than an encyclopedia of whaling lore and legend, Moby Dick is a haunting, mesmerizing, and important social commentary populated with several of the most unforgettable and enduring characters in literature. Written with wonderfully redemptive humor, Moby Dick is a profound and timeless inquiry into character, faith, and the nature of perception.

Public Domain (P)1996 Penguin Books Ltd. Penguin Audio is a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Critic reviews

Winner of the 2012 Fifty Books/Fifty Covers show, organized by Design Observer in association with AIGA and Designers & Books

Winner of the 2014 Type Directors Club Communication Design Award

Outstanding story and narrator.

This book was an exciting adventure. Much more enjoyable to absorb the abridged version than it was to read the original back in high school. Plus the narrator was perfect for this story.

Go a'whaling.

MOBY DICK, for my money the crown jewel of American literature, is an enormous book and presents enormous challenges to adapt and abridge. This audio version is told with spirit and vigor, illuminating the surprisingly light moments of Melville's novel with particular humor. The characterizations are distinct and highly memorable. Quite rightly, this is an Ahab to terrify! I am deeply sorry, however, they decided to cut "The Whiteness of the Whale" chapter -- which has to be one of the absolute pinnacles of Melville's prose. Alas. But for that omission, this would have been almost a perfect listening experience. Give it a try.

outstanding

Captivating and insightful. love the narration and sound effects. great work of art indeed. 5 stars

A love letter to whaling

Tried reading this book half a dozen times but always sidetracked by the allusions. Bang! Audio book!!

Moby Dick -- tremendous story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book not only as a great classic but tremendously engaging story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The insane (wooden-leg) Ahab is the most unforgettable image.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene of cursing Ahab drug overboard and into the depths of the emotionless sea.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"Speak Ye, damn ye or I killee!

Any additional comments?

Narrator William Hootkins brings a performance worthy of the highest kudos.

Amazing -

I was skeptical about how accessible a 'classic' might be, but thought I'd give it a try. I was totally drawn in and had a hard time pausing it when I had to. - The narration is first rate and (not a 'cheesy' dramatization.) - I'm (almost) ready to go back for the unabridged version! -

Overhyped?

Maybe my expectations were just a too high or maybe I didn't feel it delivered as a result of the abridged version or maybe I am just too stupid to fully interpret the themes or motifs but I don't think so.
It was a sub par adventure story that seemed to drag on at points even in the abridged version and in it's dragging on did not offer engaging enough insights to be considered worth while.
The narrator did great.

Great classic book. Wonderful performance.

The descriptions leap out in the imagination. Lots of humor built in to the narrative.

Prep, get the abridged version, & you will love it

Any additional comments?

Towering. Audacious. Overblown. Musical. Haunting. Breathtaking. Human. Poetic. Soaring. Thrilling. Epic. Gut-wrenching. In short, amazing.

Obviously, I loved this book. My advice to anyone who is on the fence about taking it up:

1. Read “In the Heart of the Sea” by Nathanial Philbrick first. This is a non-fiction book about a ship that really was sunk by a huge whale in the 1820’s. Melville knew this true story, and certainly based some of Moby-Dick on it. I think this book before Moby-Dick gave me a greater appreciation for Moby-Dick.

2. Consider reading “Why Read Moby-Dick?” also by Nathaniel Philbrick. I don’t think this book is as good an intro to Moby-Dick as “In the Heart of the Sea” but I did pick up a few overall themes and ideas that helped orient me as I read Moby-Dick.

3. Read the abridged version of Moby-Dick. I actually listened to it as an abridged audiobook read by William Hootkins. It was just six hours long but I was enthralled.

I had heard so many horror stories about people being forced to read this book in school that I was actually afraid to read it. But now that I have experienced it, I feel that I am ready to tackle the entire novel. Not today, but someday soon. Because it was so good I really didn’t want it to end.

Well read

Just the right amount of inflection in thre voice to make you feel as though you were there.