Moby Dick

If you have read one of my previous blogs, you will remember that I am endeavoring to delve into the world of literature once again after too long an absence. How I will achieve this lofty goal, I do not know, but that is why it is an endeavor.

On our most recent trip to the library, we checked out the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (if you sense the Narnian theme recently, it is because I seem to be revisiting this treasured period from my childhood) on CD. The children and I have been listening whenever we are strapped into the minivan, flitting about from errand to errand, and Emma seems particularly taken with the story.

But, this blog is about a seafaring tale of a different sort. You see, as I was wandering through the library, I found myself browsing the audio books for adults, and there it was - an absolutely monstrous CD case, as far as audio book CD cases go. It was big. But I suppose that is apt - you know ... Moby Dick. Of course, the case has to be big to hold all 18 CDs. 18 CDs. A mere 21 hours of listening pleasure. Sure, I've got time.

When my eyes happened upon this epic story, standing there, unclaimed, on the library shelf, it occurred to me that this is one of those classic American novels that never seemed to be required reading throughout all of my school years and I had never been inclined to read it on my own. So followed the thought, I should read that book. Or at least listen to that book. So here we are. Me and my big stack of CDs. It's a little exciting.

I began listening yesterday. My goodness, that Mr. Melville is a wordy one! I am sure this impression is magnified by the act of listening to this story versus reading it. In reading, one is able to move at one's own pace, taking time to absorb and digest the words on the page, re-reading and pausing where necessary. But listening to this story is requiring active participation on my part - I can't help but feel that the gentleman who lent his voice to this recording is speeding through the text, as if he himself is thinking, 18 CDs!, I've got to hurry! This, coupled with the 1850's language and idioms and the terminology relating to whaling, is making listening to this book a strenuous (if not welcome) exercise of my intellect. I can feel my vocabulary stretching and expanding with every near-breathless word of the poor narrator. Though at the outset I was unsure if I would be drawn in by the tale, I now find myself significantly intrigued and am looking forward to my morning commute.

And, in a random, further nod to Mr. Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket), reading has now become my own personal literary scavenger hunt, as I have found yet another source of one of his obscure references in the pages of Moby Dick.