Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding-Possibly the best work by any American author
Review: Melville's classic prose captures the reader and never lets go. I read it twice in a row. But this book may not be for the casual reader, and is better suited to one interested in both this particular style of writing and the history of the era.
Rating: 
Summary: A strong plot but too much attention is given to detail.
Review: While this book has a strong plot that pulls the reader into its style and context, there is a little bit too much attention to detail that does not need to be included. Still, this book is good to read and will captivate many audiences.
Rating: 
Summary: Umm...Can you say BORING?!
Review: Hello,I'm in grade 11 and for my english class I chose to read Moby Dick for my Idependant study,Well I must say it was a big mistake!I think that this book has a good story line,man goes to kill whale and stuff,but Melville did write whole chapeters about really boring stuff,like the sermon!Wow I must say if you like boring, this is your book!
Rating:
Summary: Good plot but WAY TOO MANY DETAILS!!!
Review: This book basically has a good plot and climax, but until you get there, OY, all the boredom in the world comvbined under one cover. Good historical background in it but once again, too many details. There is a whole chapter about the captain's hat and about the captain's pipe! This was the second most boring book I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible, an exploration of what it means to be alive
Review: This book had a profound effect on me. The encyclopedia chapters about whales and whaling contained a lot of symbolism, and often ended with very sharp and interesting insights into the human condition. The story had many levels to it. After reading this book, it would be impossible to ever think about being an American, a human being, or a biological organism the same way again.
Rating:
Summary: a shorter review
Review: I just picked up the book one day and said "why not?".What it comes down to is this: The first few chapters are incredible. Much of the middle reads like an outdated whaling textbook, but there's also a lot of symbolism, philosophy, and once or twice I caught some humor. Then from chapter 99+ it returns to the vivid characterization of the early chapters. These early and later chapters are what make the book truly great, and some people tend to miss the subtlety of the middle sections . .
Rating:
Summary: The book is a richly metaphorical masterpiece.
Review: Very funny to read the reviews of other people. In order to comprehend how it is possible for one to find this novel boring, I have devised a few possible stereotypes for the readers who are bored by Moby Dick. This bored reader is either (1) too intelligent for literature: it seems hardly possible that these readers could be beyond a rich retelling and comentary on the history of all of human understanding and existence as well as a puzzling epistemological inquiry; (2) this bored reader is indifferent to the questions of life: I suppose there may be those who are not interested in reading a novel that challenges the reader to examine truth, the meaning of life and the meaning of truth (It sure interests me); (3) The reader is too stupid to understand any of the philosophical subtext that is practically impossible to ignore: It also does not seem possible to me that there may be people who cannot see past the beatiful and poetic narrative of Ishmael's to the philosophical journey through the sea of truth. This book is an amazing metaphorical masterpiece. The symbolic world of the novel is masterfully woven into the rich and interesting storyline. The novel, through its varied voices and stories takes a meandering stroll through the major outposts of human thought, while keeping the reader entertained by a enthralling plot. The novel as a whole can be taken as a journey unto itself (its own outpost of thought) through the sea of understanding which sheds light onto the human condition and the quest for truth. In any case, I am confounded by the possiblity that one could find Moby Dick boring. Please write me angry e-mails explaining your case if you do find it boring.
Rating: 
Summary: Good piece of literature, but very, very involved in details
Review: I just finished reading this book and I think that it definitely deserves to be labeled a 'classic,' but I also think that not many people will see it as that. There are many biblical, historical, and mythical allusions in this book so I didn't understand alot of it. Herman Melville was a very intelligent man and I think one of the most accomplished writers in history. For someone to really enjoy this book, I think that one must be a big fan of literature and open-minded. If you're far from this, this is still a somewhat enjoyable book. Just be prepared to read certain sections of the book more than once.
Rating:
Summary: The best things in life come to those who wait
Review: Patience is a virtue; and if patience is needed to truly appreciate Melville's Moby-Dick, then virtuous am I. I admit, there were many places in this novel where I "just wanted to get through it". However, when the reader takes a step back to truly examine this work, it soon becomes an obvious masterpiece. For myself, the most interesting aspect of Melville's writing is his tendency to use Biblical characters: Ishmael, Ahab, and even the ship "Rachel" searching for her children. There are literally hundreds of links to their Biblical counterparts. This was most fascinating for me to discover. I challenge readers to see this novel as more than just a story, but rather, a work which calls for in-depth examination.
Rating:
Summary: My, My , We really are impossible
Review: I read the reviews and I am someone who can not belive what I am hearing. From such words as "trash", "Call me Ismal..call me boring", and "too much" I am shocked. This work has been around for one hundred years! If it's so boring, and Trashy how can it still be around? We have become a country of TV and Movie Theaters, we used to be a country of books. See way back when..belive it or not....there we no computers, no radio, no movies and people used to read, Moby Dick is a pure example of how people got their entertainment. This was one of the ways people learned things, went places and enjoied themselves. Melville wanted to take them on his adventure, let them meet the people, get to know them. The only way people could understand what Whale Hunting was all about was to experence it, the only way most people wanted to experence it was through reading. This book is a clissic and it should be treated as such, it has earned it's place as taking us places before TV, Movies or computeres. Have some respect.
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