Moby-Dick (Herman Melville)

"Moby-Dick," written by Herman Melville and published in 1851, is a novel about Captain Ahab's obsessive quest to hunt the great white whale, Moby Dick, who had previously destroyed Ahab's ship and bitten off his leg. The story is narrated by Ishmael, a sailor who joins Ahab's whaling ship, the Pequod. The book explores themes of fate, revenge, and the struggle between man and nature, while also delving into philosophical and existential questions. It is considered a classic of American literature, notable for its complex characters and richly symbolic narrative.