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Sabrina U's avatar

Hi! I'm Sabrina. I'm an early-career librarian and I have never read Moby Dick, even as an avid book reader and English major! I have been quite intimidated by it and have been told by many people to not read it because it is such a slog. I know we haven't gotten to the extensive whale anatomy sections yet, but so far I'm finding the writing surprisingly lovely.

Given it's prevalence in popular culture, I actually know very little about the plot and characters of the story. I knew nothing about the queer subtext before reading chapter 3 and I was absolutely delighted by it. They wake up spooning and don't get completely overwhelmed by no-homo energy. Amazing.

As a queer person, I feel like I am inclined to read queer subtext into a lot of things, but this was just so easy. Coming off the heels of watching Our Flag Means Death, I started picturing Ishmael as Rhys Darby's Stede Bonnet, which made the reading experience even more delightful. To me, Ishmael is quickly becoming a queer icon, only heightened by his intense melodramatic feelings about the ocean and wanting to hurl himself toward it.

I'm having a blast so far.

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Andrew Paul Koole's avatar

I subscribed awhile ago but didn't manage to keep up. These recaps are a lifesaver! Also: the Barnes & Noble version in the top left corner of your photo is the one I have, and it's pretty rad. Its typeface looks like it could be original! A real book nerd's choice.

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