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Today in history: Moby Dick

3 replies

MsAmerica · 19/10/2026 00:28

Originally 927 pages!? It was long enough even now! I'm sure another 100 pages could be cut.

Tale of a white whale surfaces in England
October 18th, 1851: A London publisher releases a 927-page epic sea yarn, 'The Whale,' by American author Herman Melville. The US edition will be published a month later, almost 300 pages shorter, and re-titled 'Moby-Dick.' What will later be hailed as one of the greatest novels ever written will initially sell poorly.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=moby-dick+novel&filters=tnTID%3a%22PE_5EAD328C-710A-4CCA-8A23-E1E0AA4E92AF%22+tnVersion%3a%226905675%22+Segment%3a%22popularnow.carousel%22+tnCol%3a%2218%22+tnOrder%3a%221b3220a4-261c-4919-ad5a-acc41c5002bf%22&FORM=BSPN01&ecount=50

OP posts:
FillerTrackOnTheAlbumOfLife · 19/10/2026 12:26

927 pages!

Terpsichore · 19/10/2026 21:10

It was one of the most divisive books for our book group, that’s for sure!

FillerTrackOnTheAlbumOfLife · 19/10/2026 21:44

I don't think I'd dare to commit to reading it for a book group. I don't like having to read even short books if I don't find them enjoyable. I'm a keen reader but I have a rule of not wasting valuable reading time on books I'm not enjoying after the first chapter.

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