Publisher's Synopsis
Melville (1819-91) was an American novelist, short story writer and poet best known for Typee (1846), a romantic account of his experiences of Polynesian life, and Moby Dick (1851) which, although a commercial failure in the author's lifetime, has since been recognised as a Great American Novel. The book draws on Melville's experience at sea, his reading in whaling literature and on literary inspirations such as Shakespeare and the Bible. In addition to narrative prose the author uses styles and literary devices ranging from songs, poetry and catologues to Shakespearian stage directions, soliloqies and asides.
