Ahab's Wife: Or the Star-Gazer

'Ahab's Wife' was recommended to me by (appropriately) a fellow traveller in a hostel, recently. On hearing the premise, I felt drawn to it - and tracked a copy down... It is lush, romantic, bold, dramatic, tender, engrossing, stunningly-written and an extraordinary read; it is also too long, and the last quarter of the book could have been edited down (in my opinion...) But all in all, it's a wonderful novel that I am very glad I read.The opening chapter is sublime: I read it open-mouthed. The tension, solitude and hardship that appear in this first chapter do not leave Una, the heroine: she is a girl who knows loss from an early age. Consequently she is self-reliant, sassy and single-minded. After a childhood split between Kentucky and the eastern seaboard, Una goes to see dressed as a cabin boy - and the true story begins...I loved her time at sea (the time in the whaleboat is fabulously written); I also loved the uncertainty of her feelings between Kit and Giles (who will she love?) - and I felt that the romantic scenes were all believable and masterfully done. As for Una's love of Ahab, I have only praise for it: how hard, to convince a modern readership that a teenaged girl and a man in his fifties could achieve a profound and loving partnership - but I was convinced. (Others, I see, have not been - but I found their early married life to be plausible and so tender). Equally, I was moved by the scene under the starry sky, where Una knows in her heart that Ahab is gone...Like other readers, I felt that the use of actual people - Maria Mitchell, Margaret Fuller (especially her) and Emerson - hindered the novel, somewhat. Anchoring Una's life in amongst actual ones didn't make her feel any more real (she already feels real, so richly drawn) and I rather felt that these characters (especially Fuller) slowed the plot right down. I also felt that the last quarter of the book rather fell away; on land, and with her eyes no longer on the sea, Una's passion dies which leaves for a rather half-hearted ending. I smiled to see her final choice of partner - that was neatly done - but all the vigour and bullishness that Una had had, since birth, seemed faded. Which felt a shame.But all in all, this was the best book I have read in a long, long time. It gripped me; it was so different to anything else I'd read, and I loved seeing this male world through a woman's eyes. Having always wanted to know more of Ahab, I really do know so much more, now. And the language... Naslund is such a competent writer: the description, in particular, is gorgeous stuff, and she is equally adept with her dialogue. I was washed along with this fresh, thrilling, poignant, surprising, brave and celebratory novel. What a bold choice - and how well Naslund has managed it. Not perfect - but still a huge and fabulous achievement. I will find this in hardback, and keep it; it's one to re-visit again and again.

This was a wonderful read. A wonderful read.It is neither a genre I often read, nor a length I can be bothered with, but this held me captivated for all of its 600+ pages.I have to admit, I've never been able to get into Moby Dick, so I was a little apprehensive that I might not 'get' Ahab's Wife. But I did. I found it accessible and intriguing with the insights into a whaler's life and the experience of those left onshore, often for years on end. But also the life of a remarkable woman and the thoughts in her head. Some bits were a little beyond me - but not much.I might go back to Moby Dick now, but I feel this may have spoiled me.It may be the better book.

I have read Moby Dick several times - it is one of my favourite books - a friend of mine borrowed it when we were on holiday in NZ - I read a little and told myself to get it.The author writes beautiful prose - just like Melville - may update this when I have finished the book.

I'm not going to write anything about the plot- it would spoil it.If you have the stamina for reading chunky books. If you enjoy a wee bit of poetry and sentences that make you wish you could remember them for always. if you enjoy tales of the American past, birth, death, slavery, the sea, whales, lighthouses,wonderful characters then read it. Don't know if a movie could ever do it justice.

The book met my expectations

Purchased as a 'used' book. In brilliant condition. Book is great reading. It flows well and is difficult to put down at times. Having just been to Nantucket can relate to the area being described.

Had to really force myself to finish this chicklit masquerading as high fiction. Lots of very slow introspection, interspersed with important events which are dashed off in a paragraph, particularly towards the end when it feels like a desperate rush to tie up everyone's life as quickly as possible. Plot is ridiculous on many counts. Doesn't go anywhere and at 650 pages, it is at least 300 pages too long.

Great book about Captain Ahab's wife.. definitely worth reading a woman's voice from the sea