On the first of August, Herman Melville’s birthday, Leviathan Bookstore hosted a celebration of Moby-Dick at 175, featuring a discussion between professors Hester Blum and Brian Yothers about what they, and we, consider the Great American Novel. The response from the standing-room-only audience was so positive that we’re inviting everyone back to keep the conversation going.

Whether you’re a longtime Dick-head eager to sail with the Pequod again or a first-timer inspired to tackle this weird, wild masterpiece, join us (and our academic leaders as their schedules allow) as we work our way through the novel over the coming weeks and months. Pick up a copy of the book (we recommend the Oxford World’s Classics edition), peruse supplemental texts if the mood strikes you, and follow Hester’s podcast with actor/writer Rob Delaney. Together we’ll plumb the depths and maybe raise a cup of grog or two!

In December we’ll conclude our voyage with a discussion of the final third of the novel (and congratulate each other on a safer return to shore than Melville’s crew made).