‘So long son, you’ll have a whale of a time!’
Having departed for nautical college last autumn, the time has come for my son to set sail aboard this very ship, on a four month long trip which will take him to South America and back. Fingers crossed he finds his sea-legs!
I’m already on planning to stalk his travels by reading books set in South America for our #AW80Books challenge, but to mark the occasion of his first oceanic expedition, we (my husband, daughter and I) are going to going to start listening to the Moby Dick Big Read which was recorded as part of an arts project run by Peninsula Arts along with Plymouth University.
As well as perfectly ticking the obligatory sea-based novel box for the Around the World in 80 Books Reading Challenge, Herman Melville’s leviathan tome also happens to be on the Guardian’s 100 greatest novels reading list, which I’ve been neglecting of late, so this is even more of a bonus.
All 135 chapters plus the Epilogue are included and unabridged, and read by an incredible plethora of actors, writers, musicians, celebrities, (and *cough* David Cameron), and on the website, there are links to accompanying artworks which were made in response to each chapter’s content.
It’ll last us for the entire time our son is away, and will be a wonderful way to feel in some way connected to his oceanic adventure. Well, if that doesn’t do it, I’m sure our matching ‘his ‘n’ hers’ sailor suits, and anchor tattoos will.
Thanks to Kim at SpiralSpun for telling me about the ‘Big Read’. I’d much rather be read to, than tackle ‘Moby Dick’ on my own. That said, I’ll be switching to my paperback for some parts – I don’t think I can stomach listening to David Cameron more than is necessary, even on the subject of whales. Still, it could be worse, at least he’s not reading from ‘The Peppermint Pig’, or as he’d probably rather call it, ‘Babe’!
Lucy
Sarah
How absolutely brilliant. From Simon Callow to Benedict C to Tilda Swinton via Sir David Attenborough – what a great idea. At the end of the read/listen you will have to post a photo of your family in the matching sailor suits though…
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It does sound like a wonderful way to enjoy such a mammoth tome, and of course, I’m sure my family will be more than happy when I suggest they pose for a group humiliation photo for the purposes of my blog! (I so wish they would!) 🙂
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I had no idea this existed! And to think I slogged my way the whole damn thing! I want my money back! This looks so good I’m tempted to listen again, it might actually leave me liking the thing more. 🙂
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I do feel like I’ve struck gold discovering this thanks to Kim. Now all I need is discover that Tom Hiddlestone has just recorded the audiobook of ‘Clarissa’ and I’ll be totally made up!
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What a wonderful shared experience. I keep hearing about MD:BR – sounds fabulous!
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That’s exactly it – the shared experience. The calibre of readers is very high so I’m really looking forward to us all enjoying it together.
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Good luck to your son! I’m sure it will be a wonderful experience. As for Moby – however wonderful the rest of the cast, I really couldn’t stomach listening to DC……😟
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Me neither. For his chapter, I will definitely be reverting to the paperback!
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What a great idea Sarah! The Big Read sounds great – I’ve read Moby Dick but I might be tempted towards a re-read/listen 🙂
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Go for it! I’ll be posting up occasional ‘whale-sighting’ updates, and we can compare notes on life at sea and give the different readers marks out of ten for their delivery of ‘nautique’! 🙂
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How fantastic! Although I still don’t think I could do that. Best wishes to your son – how exciting!
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Do you know, I don’t know how I’d fare for so long at sea I think I’d either really love it or go totally loopy, no in between, and very possibly both during the one trip. Luckily, my son is pretty level headed and as long as technology and exploration are involved he’ll be right at rain!
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I bet Cameron wishes we would all start talking about his porky love again now. I loved the first part of Moby Dick wonderfully written and at least you have a reason to stick with it for the duration even in its slowness. Special mention goes to the 13 page chapter which is just an essay on Whales which I am sure you will enjoy.
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Ain’t that the truth! I think it’s an ingenious idea to get a bunch of great actors together to deliver such rich prose. There’s such a temptation to plough through a hefty book or flick read, but listening to MD will be a daily treat.
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What a good idea – and a great way to read Moby Dick! Even I feel tempted…
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Do join in – it’ll be a blast! (The sailor suit is optional 😉 )
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Kim introduced me to the Moby Dick Big Read as well, but I haven’t started yet. I have a few things to finish up before hitting the Play button. I hope you’ll all enjoy the “listen-along”; what a great idea to mark your son’s voyage. Happy Travels to him!
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We’ve just listened to the first three chapters and I’m already hooked. The great thing about it is that the chapters are fairly short so we’ll be able to fit in at least one but usually more every day. Best of all, it did really set the mood for some nautical adventure – perfect!
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