Customer Reviews

Tales, Poems, and Other Writings (Modern Library Classics)

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I became a fan of Herman Melville while reading "Moby Dick" for the first time, back in college. Not only did Melville capture the lore and lure of the sea, and create some of literature's most memorable characters, he applied his craft, and love of language, like few other writers. I moved from the tale of the great white whale to "Bartleby The Scrivner," and "Billy Budd," with a growing appreciation for Melville's work.

Thanks to John Bryant, a Melville expert with a strong voice of his own, here at last is an anthology that contains some of Melville's most extraordinary writing. "Bartleby" is here, as well as "Billy Budd," along with many, lesser known short stories, some of them published in this collection for the first time. His moving Civil War poems, including, "Chattanooga," "Shiloh," "Sheridan at Cedar Creek," and "The Mound by the Lake," are included here, as are his letters, and sections from his epic "Clarel."

Kudos to John Bryant for putting together this wonderful Melville anthology. It should make a welcome addition to any good library.

I always liked Melville, but was never a big fan. But, thanks to John Bryant's wonderful job, this collection very much converted me to a hardcore fan. The paperback version is quite handsome as well.