Moby Dick—the great American novel, right? But here’s my secret: I’ve never read it! And apparently, neither have many Americans. With 135 chapters and a word count of 211,735, it’s not exactly a lazy afternoon read. But if you, like me, have always meant to pick up Herman Melville’s masterpiece, the Moby-Dick Big Read is a wonderful (and free) way to experience the novel.
Here’s what the website says:
Deeply subversive, in almost every way imaginable, Moby-Dick is a virtual, alternative bible – and as such, ripe for reinterpretation in this new world of new media. Out of Dominion was born its bastard child – or perhaps its immaculate conception – the Moby-Dick Big Read: an online version of Melville’s magisterial tome: each of its 135 chapters read out aloud, by a mixture of the celebrated and the unknown, to be broadcast online in a sequence of 135 downloads, publicly and freely accessible.
Download a chapter each day by visiting Moby-Dick Big Read and clicking the link to iTunes or other players of your choice. The episodes started releasing about a month ago, so you have plenty of Melville to keep you occupied (but also much more to go).
What do you think about the Moby-Dick Big Read? Do you think it’s a good way to introduce new audiences to Melville’s great novel, or would you rather read on your own?
I think it’s fabulous, but it’s about making the time to check out the website! I haven’t read it, but I never get around to sitting down and grabbing a chapter. I had planned on starting on Day 2 of the read, but I just never did!
Rebecca,
I am the same way! Is it possible that our lives are so busy in the 21st century that we can’t even make time to listen to Moby Dick? I think I may try to make an effort to remember to listen while cooking and cleaning–multitasking is my best friend!