Redburn

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Liverpool, a refined youth navigates the harsh realities of life aboard a ship filled with rough sailors. This semi-autobiographical tale captures his adventures and the gritty atmosphere of the city's underbelly. Written in a swift ten weeks, it showcases Melville's ability to blend humor with poignant observations, earning it praise as both a comedic and deeply moving narrative, notable for its exploration of class and humanity before the author's more famous work, Moby-Dick.