White-Jacket: or, The World in a Man-Of-War

De: Herman Melville

Narrado por: Rob Vlock

A deeply influential novel from one of America's greatest authors, White-Jacket presents a view of life aboard a 19th-century navy ship that is equal parts humorous and sobering. Published a year before his masterpiece Moby-Dick, White-Jacket is based on Herman Melville's own experiences aboard the USS United States from 1843 to 1844.

Full of memorable characters and dramatic episodes of navy life aboard a man-of-war, White-Jacket was actually far more influential than Moby-Dick during Melville's lifetime--because of its graphic descriptions of flogging and the horrors caused by its arbitrary use, the novel was instrumental in the permanent abolition of flogging in the US Navy.

Today, White-Jacket remains an under-appreciated classic of American literature.

Public Domain (P)2022 Rob Vlock

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Is Herman Melville funny? Well, not very funny, but there are more laughs in this audiobook classic than in MOBY-DICK. Rob Vlock's narration captures the wit and passion of this lightly fictionalized story of a voyage from Callao (Peru) to Norfolk in a U.S. Navy frigate. The story is a military counterpart to Richard Henry Dana's TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST, set not too long before the Mexican-American War. Melville tells us all we could want to know about life aboard a man-of-war, and Vlock--despite a limited range of voices and some jarring mispronunciations--brings it to life admirably. The skills of a strong narrator and a master novelist make this an intriguing experience for listeners." (D.M.H., AudioFile, 2022)

Worst Narrator

The story probably has a niche audience, but if you enjoyed RH Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast" you will like "White Jacket". The narrator is difficult to listen to and can't pronounce "indefatigable" (hint - it shouldn't sound like a slur in the middle). I love the book. I wish there were a competent narration.

It takes you away to a life of adventure

I love Herman Melville and he loves the sea. Between Melville's love affair with the cruel mistress and the narrator's polished baritone, I was, to misquote another work, "16 hours before the mast." The material, with its highly specialized language of sailing ships and subordinate clauses, is a challenge for any reader and hence any narrator, but this guy just has a nack for taking you through those linguistic loops in a way that makes sense. I really think I got more from the listening experience, than if I had read it for myself!

Surprisingly engrossing!

This is not my usual cup of tea. I’ve read Melville in the past, but have always found him sort of… well, flat. But a friend of mine recommended this book and I thought I’d give it a try. Wow! Listening to Melville performed by a narrator who really gets it is a totally different experience! I never realized Melville could be exciting and engrossing and (dare I say it?) funny. I have a whole new appreciation of Herman Melville now. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even have to listen to Moby Dick one of these days. I’m so glad this audiobook was recommended to me!