Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Black and white photo of a whale tail emerging from the ocean with distant mountains.

“Moby-Dick; or, The Whale” is an epic novel by American writer Herman Melville, first published in 1851 in the United States. The story is narrated by Ishmael, a sailor on the whaling ship Pequod, which is commanded by the monomaniacal Captain Ahab. Ahab is obsessed with seeking revenge on Moby Dick, a massive white sperm whale that previously bit off his leg at the knee. The novel delves into themes of good and evil, fate and free will, and the nature of obsession, all set against the backdrop of the 19th-century whaling industry. “Moby-Dick” is renowned for its rich symbolism, complex characters, and profound philosophical explorations, making it a classic of American literature.

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