Reviews

Billy Budd and Other Stories by Herman Melville

jonfaith's review against another edition

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4.0

Distinctly we see the difference of the colors, but where exactly does the one first blendingly enter into the other? So with sanity and insanity.

Billy and Bartleby are old friends, portraits of bejeweled philosophy. Strange as it may appear, the selection which punched me in the jaw was Cock-A-Doodle-Do: a tale told by a fellow traveler (he drinks porter and reads Rabelais) about a magical fowl which is a fount of bliss, an actual agent of earthly happiness.

hawkia75's review against another edition

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3.0

Bartlesby the Scrivener is the high point of this collection for me. All's I can say for most of them, though, is they ain't no Moby Dick.

wmartinie76's review against another edition

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4.0

4 Martinie glasses for the brilliant Bartleby and Benito Cereno. Two and half for the overrated Billy Budd.

aluttke's review against another edition

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3.0

More of a sailor's story than a sailing one.

gardnerhere's review against another edition

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2.0

UIL Literary Criticism selection for 11-12. This became much more readable when I decided that the narrator and all characters spoke in thick, slurry pirate drawls.

7/25/11: So I read "Billy Budd, Sailor" under duress. That said, wow oh damn is this a clunky, over-written, obvious slab of fiction. Boo. Boo-boo-boo.

sarasnuff's review against another edition

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3.0

*Billy Budd*
1. The answer to a Jeopardy question spoiled the story
2. What was Herman Melville’s deal with boats lmk

vivita_19's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

neilers17's review against another edition

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4.0

A fascinating collection of tales involving complex moral decisions. The title story takes up the issue of justice. "Bartleby" is one of the most befuddling stories I've ever read. "The Encantadas" is fine. "Benito Cereno" is a thriller; one knows almost from the beginning that things are not as they seem. The denouement and one's reaction to it raise a lot of interesting questions about race and justice. Brilliantly written.

babygirl69's review against another edition

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4.0

Great book. Difficult ending, but worth the read.

kmecholsky's review against another edition

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4.0

These stories are dense, yes, but reward upon further readings. Particularly, the title story will give you quite a bit to think about if you allow it. When you read these, think of the nature of evil, the nature of ambiguity, the nature of interpretation. And plan a rereading.