A Passage to India

I have to say, this book is really going slowly for me.  Not much happening so far.  On the other hand...the writing has moments of pure beauty and brilliance...this passage is out of context but oh my...

"The two flames approach and strive to unite, but cannot, because one of them breathes air, the other stone. A mirror inlaid with lovely colours divides the lovers, delicate stars of pink and grey interpose, exquisite nebulae, shadings fainter than the tail of a comet or the midday moon, all the evanescent life of the granite, only here visible.  Fists and fingers thrust above the advancing soil-here at last is their skin, finer than any covering acquired by the animals, smoother than windless water, more voluptuous than love.  The radiance increases, the flames touch one another, kiss, expire.  The cave is dark again, like all the caves."

Sounds a bit better than a match was lit and it reflected off the wall and then it was dark again.... :)

Tim

Moby Dick is done.

I was quite surprised by this book.  I expected something much different.  If you have read it perhaps you understand what I mean.  

The book covers quite a few themes exploring the existence of God, exploration of social and class status and struggles, good against evil and other topics.  Most all of the characters are interesting and sometimes introspective. 

What surprised me the most was all of the history and information put forth in the book.  We learn about the people of the time, the whaling industry, and a ton about different types of whales.  I expected more story and less information.

That being said, the story did not disappoint.  Melville himself had trouble writing the book and it is thought that he set out to create somewhat of a history book with a tale wrapped around it.  As I stated in my little precursor to the book, Melville had first hand knowledge of this topic and weaves it in to a very believable story.  You really feel like this is a tale delivered by a survivor.  

Up next:  A Passage to India

Tim