Herman Melville's epic tale of obsession has all the ingredients of a
first rate drama--fascinating characters in solitude and society,
battles between good and evil, a thrilling chase to the death--and yet
its allusions, digressions, and sheer scope can prove daunting to even
the most intrepid listener. George Cotkin's Dive Deeper provides both
a guide to the novel and a record of its dazzling cultural train. It
supplies easy-to-follow plot points for each of the novel's 135 sections
before taking up a salient phrase, image, or idea in each for further
exploration. Through these forays, Cotkin traces the astonishing reach
of the novel, sighting the White Whale in mainstream and obscure
subcultures alike, from impressionist painting circles to political
terrorist cells. In a lively and engaging style, Dive Deeper immerses
us into the depths of Melville's influence on the literature, film, and
art of our modern world. Cotkin's playful wit and critical precision
stretch from Camus to Led Zeppelin, from Emerson to Bob Dylan, and bring
to life the terrors and wonders of what is arguably America's greatest
novel.
