Moby Dick Audiobook By Herman Melville cover art

Moby Dick

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Moby Dick

By: Herman Melville
Narrated by: William Hootkins
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"Call me Ishmael." Thus starts the greatest American novel. Melville said himself that he wanted to write "a mighty book about a mighty theme" and so he did. It is a story of one man's obsessive revenge-journey against the white whale, Moby-Dick, who injured him in an earlier meeting. Woven into the story of the last journey of The Pequod is a mesh of philosophy, rumination, religion, history, and a mass of information about whaling through the ages.Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2005 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd. World Literature United States Inspiring American Literature

Featured Article: The top 100 classics of all time


Before we whipped out our old high school syllabi and dug deep into our libraries to start selecting contenders for this list, we first had to answer the question, "How do we define a classic?" The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might guess, though there’s a lot to be said for the old adage, "You know it when you see it" (or, in this case, hear it). Of course, most critically, each of our picks had to be fabulous in audio. So dust off your aspirational listening list—we have some amazing additions you don’t want to miss.

Featured Article The top 100 classics of all time
Shakespearean Dialogue • Unexpected Humor • Masterful Characterization • Powerful Ending • Philosophical Exploration

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In case you didn't know, William Hootkins is Red Six "Porkins" from the scene in Star Wars when the X-Wing fighters attack the Death Star. He gets blown up because he doesn't pull up. He is also in Raiders of the Lost Ark and Batman and most importantly he one of the best narrators of all time. I have not listened to any of his other narrations, but I call him one of the best based on this one reading of Moby Dick. I love it. I don't think there are many equal performances - maybe Jeremy Irons for Lolita, or Stephen Fry for Sherlock Holmes. I also like William Hurt in The Sun Also Rises and John Rowe in Remembrance of Things Past. Rosamund Pike is good in Pride and Predjudice. Moby Dick the book is mysterious and gets under your skin. Its kind of like some other classics: at first you think, what's all the big fuss, but then you go hmmm, why can't I stop thinking about this, and then it becomes your favorite. I highly recommend this book.

On William Hootkins and the White Whale

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This recording makes Moby Dick come alive. Hootkins truly understands Melville. I've never been this impressed by a narrator.

William Hootkins is brilliant!

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Excellent narration, which is not obvious from the sample. I'm glad I bought this version!! Very enjoyable listening!

Bravo!!!

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I now know why Moby Dick is considered not just a classic, but a masterpiece. With humor, insight, charm, and true passion Melville tells a tale that is as large as its namesake whale. Brought to life brilliantly by Hootkins, a must read for all.

A Masterpiece

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Wow! I’m on a stroll through the classics and picked this one and I’m so pleased. Wonderful and rich and deep story by Melville. And one of the best reader/performers ever. One performer brings all the story, characters, and action to life. Quite incredible.

One of the very best performances of a classic!

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