Thaddeus, I just read the first part of "Kraken in a Coffee Cup," and I am blown away. MOBY DICK is one of my favorite books. You have caught the language and metaphorical style of Melville in your own personal voice. What a wonderful surprise. I look forward to reading chapter 2. Thank you.
All my favourite things are in this story- the sea, a mysterious ship collecting souls beneath the waves. I like the widow figure and all the symbolism sits together perfectly. I especially liked the line about shadow being the real substance, it put me in mind of Irene in 'When we Dead Awaken'. I think she says something like she is her own shadow. It's been a long time since I read Moby Dick but the writing in this was beautiful, her eyes 'like burning ships in a midnight sea'. This is the first time I've experienced this experimental style and I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Nice one.
It’s been so long since I’ve read Moby Dick. This was all new wasn’t it? All before “Call me Ishmael” and going down to the sea? It’s fun to think that this was Ishmael’s night before the opening of the novel. Or am I completely on the wrong track?
I honestly lose track of what bits are mine unless the context is obvious, but no, this is thick with Melville. It's a little loose in the fist paragraph, where I take Ishmael's admiration of the casket and blend it with the widow from the Motley Book, but starting in the second paragraph it's shuffled and edited Melville with connecting material and changed context. There's quite a bit of story in Moby Dick that takes place in New Bedford, and while in my reading, it's the section I was always most eager to get beyond, it was the most influential and most used throughout the novella. In part, that's because I didn't want to use some images that I felt should be kept to the original. I absolutely love the description of the Pequod, and its iconic bone and teeth decorations could have wonderfully fit into this tale--but I wanted to save that detail for readers of Moby Dick. I don't think any of the climax is here either. By contrast, I absolutely use the jaw bone over the bar and the cheating green glasses.
With the language...it is very reminiscent of reading one of the "Classics." Well done Thaddeus!
Absolutely marvelous! I’m eager for the next part, and I may have to take Moby Dick from the shelf again.
I'm so pleased. Thank you!
Thaddeus, I just read the first part of "Kraken in a Coffee Cup," and I am blown away. MOBY DICK is one of my favorite books. You have caught the language and metaphorical style of Melville in your own personal voice. What a wonderful surprise. I look forward to reading chapter 2. Thank you.
I hope the rest of the story lives up to such praise!
All my favourite things are in this story- the sea, a mysterious ship collecting souls beneath the waves. I like the widow figure and all the symbolism sits together perfectly. I especially liked the line about shadow being the real substance, it put me in mind of Irene in 'When we Dead Awaken'. I think she says something like she is her own shadow. It's been a long time since I read Moby Dick but the writing in this was beautiful, her eyes 'like burning ships in a midnight sea'. This is the first time I've experienced this experimental style and I'm looking forward to the next chapter. Nice one.
Thank you. That means a great deal.
It’s been so long since I’ve read Moby Dick. This was all new wasn’t it? All before “Call me Ishmael” and going down to the sea? It’s fun to think that this was Ishmael’s night before the opening of the novel. Or am I completely on the wrong track?
I honestly lose track of what bits are mine unless the context is obvious, but no, this is thick with Melville. It's a little loose in the fist paragraph, where I take Ishmael's admiration of the casket and blend it with the widow from the Motley Book, but starting in the second paragraph it's shuffled and edited Melville with connecting material and changed context. There's quite a bit of story in Moby Dick that takes place in New Bedford, and while in my reading, it's the section I was always most eager to get beyond, it was the most influential and most used throughout the novella. In part, that's because I didn't want to use some images that I felt should be kept to the original. I absolutely love the description of the Pequod, and its iconic bone and teeth decorations could have wonderfully fit into this tale--but I wanted to save that detail for readers of Moby Dick. I don't think any of the climax is here either. By contrast, I absolutely use the jaw bone over the bar and the cheating green glasses.
Clearly I’ve forgotten a lot! must be time for a re-read.