From the opening line — “Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last” — you will know that you are in the hands of a master storyteller and in the company of a fascinating woman hero. Inspired by a brief passage in Moby-Dick, Sena Jeter Naslund has created an enthralling and compellingly readable saga, spanning a rich, eventful, and dramatic life. At once a family drama, a romantic … romantic adventure, and a portrait of a real and loving marriage, Ahab’s Wife gives new perspective on the American experience.
This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews, recommended reading, and more.
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Melville’s Moby Dick made brief reference to Captain Ahab having a young wife waiting for him at home. From this reference Sena Jeter Naslund spun a romantic and adventurous tale of whaling, slavery, religion, women’s rights and even Transcendentalism in Puritan New England. Some scenes of tranquil beauty and picnics at the beach but also …
This book is the author’s imagining of Una, the wife of Captain Ahab from Moby Dick. She is spirited, intelligent, and adventurous. As the wife of a sea captain, Una is on her own a lot and so is very resourceful. This book is full of adventure, romance, courage, and surprises. It’s an epic journey with a unique character.
So unexpected. Bought this on a whim and now I almost want to go back to re-read Moby Dick. Beautifully written, amazing story, wonderful characters.!
The book, the characters are difficult to forget. It tells the story, as the title states, of Ahab’s wife. I read this book about a dozen years ago and I can still quote the opening sentence. “Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last.” I am not telling any more for fear of spoiling the experience for others. Read and enjoy.
Moby Dick has always been a favorite book. It is half epic tale, half description of 19th century whaling practices. The premise of this book was therefore intriguing. The masterpiece is devoid of women, and so Ms. Naslund concocted a fascinating back story for the complicated Captain Ahab’s personal life. The social history of women is now not …
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book but I was pleasantly surprised. The story of a young girl who dresses as a boy and finds her way aboard a whaling ship. There were times I had to get beyond the “How did they not figure out she was a girl?” moments, but other than that, I really enjoyed the author’s descriptions of life …
Exquisite prose!!!
A story beautifully written—lush and rich!
My favorite of all time
slow to start but then I couldn’t put it down – I keep buying this book and giving it away!
Complete joy to read; you can smell the sea while picturing the seascape…. lyrical read, the words just flow!
This historical fiction covered so much ground. Reading this story is like reliving another’s life in a different place and time.
I heard a review of this book on NPR. The first line is, “Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last.” I drove immediately to buy the book. It held my attention even through some health issues. Not many books are that engaging. This book was. What a splendid bit of writing!
The only way I can sum up this book is that I am relieved to finally be finished with it. Which makes it sound as though I hated the book, but that is not the case. It’s a contradictory feeling, much like this book was. At times it was lyrical, almost poetic, but at other times, it was hostile, unpleasant, difficult, even disturbing. Parts of it …
Best descriptive wording I have ever read— some passages were a little too long, but most were a joy to read.
I absolutely love the way this book was written. The style is reflective of the times and it is as much a part of the story as the tale itself. The characters are developed fully with love and compassion following them through their lives – sometimes turbulent and sometimes serene and romantic.
This is the story of the incredible woman who …
Una Spenser is Ahab’s wife, he of Moby Dick fame. She is also daughter, mother, niece, cousin, friend, and neighbor, determined at every turn to live an interesting life. This was not so easily done in 1830, yet, Sena Jeter Naslund has created just such a life for her protagonist-heroine.
Una journeys from Kentucky to New England on the cusp of …
Beautiful writing
it was just ok – just too drawn out.
Many of us know the story of Ahab but what about his wife whom he left for months, even years at a time, while he was pursuing Moby Dick.
This is not an easy book to read until you really get into the story then it is captivating.
It is a thick book so it is one that you must be willing to put some time into reading but I found it well worth the …
Excellent read. Great follow-up to Moby Dick.