Moby-Dick Reviews Archive
Browse all 125 known contemporary reviews of Moby-Dick from 1851–1852, plus key revival-era criticism. The most complete collection online.
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Utica (NY) Daily Gazette
favorable
“A favorable notice of Moby-Dick was published in this Upstate New York newspaper.
”
— November 19, 1851
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Rochester (NY) Daily American
favorable
“A book all about whales. It gives descriptions of the Leviathan of the deep, the mode of catching them, and the life of those who go down in ships from New Bedford to the South seas, whale hunting. The reading public will find 'Moby Dick' one of the pleasantest volumes issued from the press this year.
”
— November 20, 1851
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Rochester (NY) Daily Democrat (First Notice)
favorable
“This book of Mr. Melville's gives us a good insight into the habits of the monster himself, as well as of the modes of pursuit and capture. It is given in a style partaking much of that in which romances are presented. As an agreeable fire-side book, which may not be read unprofitably, we commend it.
”
— November 20, 1851
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Rochester (NY) Daily Democrat
favorable
“A work replete with wild adventures and thrilling scenes. Mr. Melville is a master, and a light, in that path of Romance in which he has chosen to walk. His descriptions are graphic and complete, and are thoroughly imbued with that grace and charm which is a peculiarity of his genius.
”
— January 21, 1852
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New York Observer
favorable
“A beautiful book, just out of the press of the Harpers, a complete exhibition of the art and mystery of whaleology, with graphic pictures of the life and times of whalemen.
”
— November 20, 1851
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New York Sun
favorable
“A charming volume that abounds with thrilling narratives of danger and hair breadth escapes, so common to the enterprising whalemen. Written in a singularly attractive and agreeable style, the reader cannot fail to be delighted.
”
— November 20, 1851
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Washington National Era
favorable
“'Mobey Dick' introduces us to the hard eventful life of a whaleman, and, so far as we have read, is a volume of great interest.
”
— November 20, 1851
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New York Christian Intelligencer
favorable
“We know of none who can excel him in his delineations of the sea, and the wonders that pass before the eyes of those who traffic thereon.
”
— November 20, 1851
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Cleveland Plain Dealer
favorable
“A favorable notice of Moby-Dick ran in this Ohio newspaper.
”
— November 21, 1851
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Detroit Free Press
favorable
“A peculiarly piquant narrative... Its stirring scenes and adventures on the bosom of the broad Pacific, will be the life of the forecastle, on many a stormy night.
”
— November 21, 1851
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New York Tribune
favorable
“We part with the adventurous philosophical Ishmael, truly thankful that the whale did not get his head, for which we are indebted for this wildly imaginative and truly thrilling story. We think it the best production which has yet come from that seething brain, and in spite of its lawless flights, which put all regular criticism at defiance, it gives us a higher opinion of the author’s originality and power than even the never-to-be-forgotten Typee.
”
— George Ripley, November 22, 1851
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Gazette of the Union, Golden Rule & Odd-Fellows Family Companion
favorable
“We think Mr. Melville has almost surpassed himself in this last fish story of his. Certainly a better yarn was never spun... Melville has the romance of Defoe, the 'tarriness' of Marryatt, the vigor of Bulwer, and in one word produces the pleasantest fictions of the day in his style, which may be termed the comic-Nautical-Sinbadic-style.
”
— Volume 15, November 22, 1851
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- ✅ Complete, unabridged text — every word of the original 1851 edition
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- ✅ Historical context — the Essex disaster, Nantucket whaling, Melville's life
- ✅ Literary analysis — chapter-by-chapter commentary on themes and symbols
- ✅ Victorian vocabulary — obsolete words and nautical terms defined inline
- ✅ Biblical & literary references — every allusion traced to its source