BOOK BRIEF

Billy Budd and Other Tales

Herman Melville
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Billy Budd and Other Tales

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1998

Book Brief

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Herman Melville

Billy Budd and Other Tales

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1998
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Short Story • Fiction

Setting

High Seas • 1790s

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

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Super Short Summary

Billy Budd and Other Tales by Herman Melville comprises short stories exploring human nature and morality. The collection includes “Billy Budd, Sailor,” where a sailor faces moral dilemmas aboard a ship, along with other tales delving into themes of innocence, justice, and authority in 19th-century settings.

Mysterious

Melancholic

Contemplative

Dark

Gritty

Reviews & Readership

3.7

1,220 ratings

55%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

18%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Billy Budd and Other Tales by Herman Melville is celebrated for its rich symbolism and complex themes, offering a deep exploration of innocence and justice. Critics praise its narrative depth and character development, though some find the prose dense and challenging. Overall, it remains a compelling study of moral ambiguity and human nature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Billy Budd and Other Tales?

Readers who relish complex narratives and philosophical themes, akin to those in Melville’s Moby-Dick, will enjoy Billy Budd and Other Tales. Fans of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness may appreciate the exploration of morality and nature. The collection suits those who admire rich, symbolic storytelling.

3.7

1,220 ratings

55%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

18%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Short Story • Fiction

Setting

High Seas • 1790s

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

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