Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

The narrative centers on Captain Ahab's obsessive quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the formidable sperm whale that previously injured him, as recounted by Ishmael, a sailor aboard the Pequod. Initially met with mixed reviews and commercial failure, the novel eventually emerged as a cornerstone of American literature, celebrated for its complex themes and rich symbolism. Influential writers like William Faulkner and D. H. Lawrence have lauded its significance, while Melville's firsthand whaling experiences and research inform the vivid depictions within the text.