Moby Dick
by Herman Melville
English • Public Domain • Free to stream
Moby Dick, published in 1851, is one of the great American novels. Herman Melville's epic tale of Captain Ahab's obsessive quest to hunt the enormous white sperm whale that destroyed his ship and took his leg is a profound meditation on obsession, fate, and mankind's place in the natural world. Narrated by the sailor Ishmael, the novel blends thrilling adventure with rich philosophical and theological reflection. It is also an extraordinary document of nineteenth-century whaling life, full of technical detail and dark humour. Stream this classic free with natural-sounding narration, directly in your browser.
About the book: Moby Dick
The book was written by American writer Herman Melville. Melville began writing it in February 1850 and finished 18 months later, a year after he had anticipated. It was first published in London in October 1851 in three volumes, and in a single-volume edition in New York in November. The London publisher censored or changed sensitive passages, and Melville made revisions as well, including a last-minute change of the title for the New York edition.
The book centers on the sailor Ishmael's narrative of the maniacal quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for vengeance against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg on the ship's previous voyage. The detailed and realistic descriptions of sailing, whale hunting and of extracting whale oil, as well as life aboard ship among a culturally diverse crew, are mixed with exploration of class and social status, good and evil, and the existence of God.
The author drew on his experience as a common sailor from 1841 to 1844, including on whalers, and on wide reading in whaling literature. The white whale is modeled on a notoriously hard-to-catch albino whale Mocha Dick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moby Dick free to listen to?
Yes, Moby Dick is completely free to stream. No account, no subscription, and no ads required. It is in the public domain.
Who wrote Moby Dick?
Moby Dick was written by Herman Melville.
Is Moby Dick in the public domain?
Yes, Moby Dick by Herman Melville is in the public domain and free to read, share, and listen to worldwide.
How long is Moby Dick to listen to?
Moby Dick takes approximately 24 hours to listen to in full.
When was Moby Dick written?
Moby Dick was first published in 1851. It is now in the public domain and free to stream.
Who narrates Moby Dick?
Moby Dick uses AI multi-voice narration. Each character has a distinct voice — narrators, heroes, villains and supporting characters all sound different, making it easy to follow the story.
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What genre is Moby Dick?
Moby Dick is Adventure. It is a classic work of literature now in the public domain.