Billy Budd, Sailor

by Herman Melville
Billy Budd, Sailor cover
Good Books rating 3.33
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  • ID: 11556
  • Added: 2026-03-10
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
Vocal - Geeks · 2026-03-10
great 4.00

The book is a religious allegory of the treatment of Jesus by the Romans. The treatment of Billy Budd is very similar.

The reviewer sees the book as a religious allegory, drawing parallels between the treatment of Jesus by the Romans and the treatment of Billy Budd. This interpretation adds a layer of depth to the book, suggesting that it can be read on multiple levels. The reviewer appreciates this allegorical aspect, which enriches the reading experience. However, they also note that Melville's style can be difficult to follow, which might make the book less accessible to some readers.

Quick quotes

    This book is a religious allegory of the treatment of Jesus by the Romans.

    The way in which people like Clagart treat Billy Budd is a very similar situation.

    Melville is a difficult author to read, his deviations from the central narrative and general prose can make it hard to follow along with what is happening at ...

The Storygraph · 2026-03-10
mixed 2.50

The narration is intrusive and the plot is woven around random Melville preachy thoughts. The book is thankfully short.

The reviewer found the narration intrusive and felt that the plot was sinuously woven around random preachy thoughts by Melville. This suggests that the book might have been more enjoyable if the narration was less intrusive and the plot more coherent. Despite these criticisms, the reviewer appreciates that the book is thankfully short, which might have made it more bearable. The reviewer's overall impression is mixed, with some positive aspects but significant issues with the narration and plot.

Quick quotes

    Yes, rich of illusions but he was definitely intrusive with his narration.

    Plot line sinuously woven around random Melville preachy thoughts.

    Thankfully short ...

Ela's Book Blog · 2010-11-21
good 3.50

The book is very readable but would have been better as a short story. The ambiguity of intention and emotion is maintained well.

The reviewer found the book very readable, which is a positive sign. They believe it would have been better as a short story, perhaps maintaining the ambiguity of intention and emotion more effectively. This suggests that while the book is engaging, it might have been more impactful in a shorter format. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the characters and the exploration of their emotions, but feels that the length might have diluted some of the impact.

Quick quotes

    While very readable, I do feel this would have been better as a short story, perhaps maintaining the ambiguity of intention and emotion, but ...

    The way in which people like Clagart treat Billy Budd is a very similar situation.

    Melville is a difficult author to read, his deviations from the central narrative and general prose can make it hard to follow along with what is happening at ...

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