And she has an intelligent, sensitive soul that is eventually recognized by the greatest minds of her generation. By interfering with the exclusive worship of the Hebrew God, Yahweh, by disregarding the rights of the common people, and by defying the prophets Elijah and Elisha, she provoked the internecine strife that enfeebled Israel for … If this were about a real person, I would consider this valid.
A stunning, magnificent book!--Certainly in my top 10 ever!--great story, great characters, big ideas, & colorful writing that, like Jane Smiley's book about Bleeding Kansas, evokes the language of its period while also speaking in a distinctive voice to our own time.
Whoa-finally finished this baby. She survives great hardship with her noble spirit intact.
The story of her childhood and growing up was also fascinating, particularly the parts of the story set at the lighthouse.
It just reads, slowly and laboriously for 666 pages in first person of a woman that doesn't exist.
It is an incompleteness. The author did not take any chances with our affections making sure that she was a woman who accepted obscurities, defied religious beliefs, encouraged women's rights, befriended a slave and a dwarf as equals, could argue with the champions of transcendentalist even though she grew up on a tiny island with two adults and a four year old. It clearly displayed his intolerance for anyone who challenges him. Article Index; Summary: Author Bio: Book Reviews: Discussion Questions: Full Version: Print: Page 3 of 4.
Whether you weathered the epic or sloshed through Cliff's notes, you'll certainly recall this fact: Ahab's wife's name was Una. Nice twist. And we are suppose to adore her.
Though the 700 pages might be daunting……they could get a fair start!Hi Laureen, thank you for the review.
Background has researched every area so well that it is all seamless. It's about several things, but principally about, I think, a woman "choosing life"--choosing her own path in the world and affirming life in the midst of stA stunning, magnificent book!--Certainly in my top 10 ever!--great story, great characters, big ideas, & colorful writing that, like Jane Smiley's book about Bleeding Kansas, evokes the language of its period while also speaking in a distinctive voice to our own time.
I do feel inclined to return to Moby Dick once more, and this time to read it through. So,my favorite read so far this year (Abundance) and my least favorite - this erratic self serving novel are both by the same author!This was not my first read from Naslund, nor will it be my last. A wonderful story.
Ahab also comes across as the striking personality he is in For fans of Melville or the Transcendentalists, this could be an interesting read.
In her new novel, Ahab's Wife, Sena Jeter Naslund takes perhaps the least eligible bachelor in all of American literature and makes his marriage and pillow talk the very stuff of her book. Classic book review: Ahab's Wife Using a stray reference in "Moby Dick," a novelist creates the story of Ahab's wife.
She makes good choices, makes poor choices.
"“If you meet a woman of whatever complexion who sails her life with strength and grace and assurance, talk to her!
Melki just has a way with reviews…I had seen Melki’s review on this book and it was so interesting, even though her rating was not that high, and so I purchased it.
The strength of the language that tells the story of Una the wife of Ahab, the obvious research into 19th century social mores, women, historical characters, religion, economics, slavery, locations, astronomy, Melville and his writings, whaling, and political issues is evident in every chapter. Newsday. But instead we have an extraordinary, direct-minded, publicly correct unrealistic character who just manages to encounter by accident many famous real and fictional characters.
When whales—rendered, distilled into oil and ambergris—were not stars of family entertainment.
Too long, too detailed, and monotonous in tone. These are the countries I have visited so far on our Grand Adventure.
It is a tall order she sets for herself, and one that she does not fail in filling. A winner of the Harper Lee Award and the Southeastern Library Association Fiction award, she is the author of eight previous works of fiction, including Ahab's Wife, a finalist for the Orange Prize. What inspires you?
Jezebel, in the Bible, the wife of King Ahab, who ruled the kingdom of Israel.
E-book. Book reviews. Lovely, lovely, lovely… Thanks for the review.Sounds wonderful Laureen!
Ahab's Wife - Review #9 Do you remember reading Moby Dick in high school?
I am still ambivalent about having finished it.