The score(s) next to each publication’s review and the average rating is an interpretation of the reviews by Literature’s Pretty Long History.
Critics:
“It will add to Mr. Melville’s repute as a writer, undoubtedly, and furnishes, incidentally, a most striking picture of sea life and adventures.”
“The Whale, by Herman Melville, is a beautiful book, just out of the press of the Harpers, a complete exhibition of the art and mystery of whaleology, with graphic pictures of the life and times of whalemen, in which the peculiar tact of Melville appears on every page.”
“We shall read it and then speak of it again.”
“His descriptions of land scenery are always exquisite and taking the volume before us as a sample, we know of none who can excel him in his delineations of the sea, and the wonders that pass before the eyes of those who traffic thereon.”
“The reading public will find “Moby Dick” one of the pleasantest volumes issued from the press this year.”
Supplemental Notice(s)
Extracted by The Rochester Daily American (November 21, 1851), Jamestown Journal (January 2, 1852), and The Western Literary Messenger (February 1852)
“We cannot claim to be admirers of Mr. Melville’s productions, but to those who are—and their name is Legion—we can commend this volume, as fully equal in interest to any of its predecessors.”
“It is a crazy sort of affair, stuffed with conceits and oddities of all kinds, put in artificially, deliberately and affectedly, by the side of strong, terse and brilliant passages of incident and description.”
Reprinted by The Boston Statesman (November 22, 1851)
“The author of one good book more than offsets the amusement derived from it by the reading public, when he produces a score of trashy and crazy volumes; and in the present case, and after the delivery of such stuff as Mardi and the White Whale, are not disposed to stand upon much ceremony.” — Boston Post (August 4, 1852)
“DEATH-SCENE OF THE WHALE.”
Reprinted by The Boston Daily Mail (November 24, 1851), Boston Morning Journal (November 28, 1851), Boston Evening Journal (November 28, 1851), Portland Transcript (November 29, 1851), Boston Weekly Journal (December 4, 1851), Boston Museum (December 6, 1851), Royal Cornwall Gazette (December 26, 1851), The Western Literary Messenger (January 1852), Charleston Southern Literary Gazette (January 3, 1852), and Southern Christian Advocate (June 11, 1852)
““Moby-Dick” is full of spirit and energy, and will match his previous works in the race for popularity.”
“This new novel by the author of “Typee,” “Omoo,” etc., is pronounced the best written and most entertaining of his works. This is certainly strong praise, for few authors have succeeded in getting up stories of deeper interest, narrated in a more attractive style. The hero of this story is a Whale, to which the one that sunk the Ann Alexander was a calf. It will be seen that the subject is one affording the finest fields for the rich imaginative powers and sea-faring experience of the author.”
“This is a handsome volume of over six hundred pages, and contains one hundred and thirty-five distinct sketches, presented in that easy and yet racy style so characteristic of the author.”
“Although as a whole the book is made to serve as a “tub for the whale,” the characters and subjects which figure in it are set off with artistic effect, and with irresistible attraction to the reader.”
“Mr. Melville in his ‘Moby-Dick, or the Whale,’ just published, gives the following vivid sketch of the chase and capture of the Sperm Whale:—” — New Bedford Mercury (November 20, 1851)
“Persons who have read the author’s former works should read Moby Dick, as it is equal to any of them.”
“Also the London Quarterly Review for October, Chambers’-Papers for the People, and a new work by Herman Melville, entitled Moby Dick, or the Whale.” — Pittsburgh Daily Morning Post (November 18, 1851)
“In many respects Moby-Dick is the best of the works of the author, as it certainly is the most instructive.”
Reprinted by Boston Evening Journal (November 18, 1851)
“Redding & Co. have received from the Harpers Moby-Dick; or the Whale, the new work by Herman Melville.” — Boston Evening Journal (November 13, 1851)
“This is the title of Herman Melville’s new work, just published by the Harpers, and said to be the best written and most entertaining book put forth by that popular and clever author.”
Reprinted by Boston Daily Bee (November 19, 1851 and November 20, 1851) and The Republican Advocate (November 25, 1851)
“Such is a rough outline of the main incident of this remarkable novel, which, though based on an improbability, is nevertheless read with great delight.”
““The Whale” is a very great performance.” — Morning Herald (October 17, 1851) and The Globe (October 20, 1851)
“The work possesses all the interest of the most exciting fiction, while, at the same time, it conveys much valuable information in regard to things pertaining to natural history, commerce, life on ship board, &c.”
“What writer is more welcome? We have had a touch of his qualities on the sea, and some squintings at his whaling experiences, before, and are prepared to find in his new book a great deal of amusement and instruction, combined with his usual felicity.”
“Mr. Melville has woven around this cumbrous bulk of romance, a large and interesting web of narrative, information, and sketches of character and scenery, in a quaint though interesting style, and with an easy, rollicking freedom of language and structure, characteristic of himself.”
“This is the title of the last work from the pen of Herman Melville, whose fame as the author of “Typher,” “Omoo” and other works, has extended wherever British and American literature is known. It is published in the best style of Harper & Brothers, and will command the attention of the lovers of romance throughout the country. The name of the author will ensure it an immense sale.”
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