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The True Calling of the Clergy

"Is not this as it ought to be?  Since the true calling of the reverend clergy is like their divine Master's; - not to bring the righteous, but sinners to repentance.  Did some of them leave the converted and comfortable congregations, before whom they have ministered year after year; and plunge at once, like St. Paul, into the infected centers and hearts of vice; then, indeed, would they find a strong enemy to cope with; and a victory gained over him, would entitle them to a conqueror's wreath.  Better to save one sinner from an obvious vice that is destroying him, than to indoctrinate ten thousand saints.  And as from every corner, in Catholic towns, the shrines of Holy Mary and the Child Jesus perpetually remind the commonest wayfarer of his heaven; even so should Protestant pulpits be founded in the market-places, and at street corners, where the men of God might be heard by all of His children."  - Herman Melville, Redburn: His First Voyage

"Mardi" by Herman Melville

I just completed Mardi, by Herman Melville, and I can share the disappointment that was expressed by the first readers of the book that was published in 1849.  Melville's first two works, Typee and Omoo were autobiographical and had a solid narrative flow and story line, though the author did tend toward lengthy descriptions of the islands and people of the South Seas.  Mardi, begins as a simple narrative with a promising story, but soon melts into a collection of philisophical discourses and poetic ramblings that are loosely held together by the meandering search for a mysterious maiden.  The novel does not end, it simply quits.

I hope the next novel that I read by Melville will be worth the effort.  Mardi was a book I could not wait to put down.

"Omoo" by Herman Melville

Omoo: A Narrative of the South Seas is Herman Melville's sequel to Typee, and, as such, was also autobiographical. After leaving Nuku Hiva, the main character ships aboard a whaling vessel which makes its way to Tahiti, after which there is a mutiny and the majority of the crew are imprisoned on Tahiti. The book follows the actions of the narrator as he explores Tahiti and remarks on their customs and way of life.  Omoo was first published in 1847.

The book is an interesting look at life on the South Pacific islands in the 1800s.  The narrative is as easy-going as life on the islands.

Though Omoo is more driven by the narrative of the author than Typee, it still provides Melville with vehicle for expressing his admiration for native life and criticism for the invasive Western culture.  The book was an enjoyable and diverting read.  Melville tones down his negative view of westernizing influences compared to his previous work.  It is devoid of any real deep moral lesson and may be read simply for its entertainment value.  Melville paints beautiful and humorous pictures with his words.

For the life of me, however, I cannot recollect why the title, Omoo! 

"Typee" by Herman Melville

I have just completed Typee: A Peep at Polynnesian Life by Herman Melville.  The work was the first to be published by Melville (in 1846) and was one of his more commercially successful.

The book is partly based on Melville's own adventures as a sailor in the South Seas and his captivity by natives on the island of Nuku Hiva (Nukuheva in the novel) in the Marquesas Islands.  The title comes from the Tai Pi valley on the island.

The story line is interesting, but is slowed by Melville's explanations of native life - a life that he experienced and admires in his writings.  He interweaves mostly negative commentary on Western civilization and its impact on the native culture.

Melville's style in this popular, but initially shocking, novel reveals a dry wit.  The humor of the author comes through mostly in his characterizations and comments of both cultures.

The book was a an entertaining read that would be appropriate for teens.

"A Journal of the Plague Year" by Daniel Defoe

"A Journal of the Plague Year" is an historical novel of the plague of The Black Death that swept through London in 1665.  Defoe himself lived through this event and published this work in 1722.

"The Journal" is considered to be the first historical novel - that is, a fictional account of an historical event.  Historical fiction is an author's attempt based on considerable research (or in Defoe's case, personal experience) to tell a story set in the historical past.

"The Journal" is of historical and literary value, but the story itself is quite plodding.  It is a difficult read - especially for those looking for entertainment. 

"Moll Flanders" by Daniel Defoe

I just completed "The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders" by Daniel Defoe.  I have had the time to finish this novel because I am taking a brief "virtual vacation."

I have been reading the works of well-known authors in groups - Jane Austen (seven novels), James Fenimore Cooper (five novels), Charles Dickens (five novels), Robert Louis Stevenson (seven novels) Jules Verne (seven novels), and H.G. Wells (seven novels).  These are a part of a series called The Library of Essential Writers and published by Barnes and Noble.  The works of each author are bound together in one volume and each volume costs less than $15.  I call this culture by the pound!

"Moll Flanders" is the fourth of the five novels in one volume by Daniel Defoe.  The other novels that I have read by Defoe are "Robinson Crusoe," "The Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," and "The Life, Adventures, and Piracies of the Famous Captain Singleton." 

The novel is nothing like the movie "Moll Flanders."  Each of Defoe's works (so far) has an underlying theme of sin, repentance, and salvation through Christ that has not been reflected in the contemporary screen adaptations.

Defoe was an innovative writer whose work advanced the use of the novel as a literary form.  The one difficult adjustment for today's reader is that he does not use chapters.  His works are one long narrative.  I found myself longing for a chapter break in the story, but that only reflects the shorter attention span of today's reader.

Defoe gives an interesting glimpse and commentary on society and morality in the late 1600s and early 1700s in his writings.  The novels contain no inappropriate language, and except for "Moll Flanders" do not contain even a suggestion of inappropriate conduct.  "Moll Flanders," in spite of the heroine's conduct, does provide a strong female character as the title would suggest.

The next and last novel in this volume is "A Journal of the Plague Year."  I am familiar with it only by title.  By the sound of it, this novel is going to be a downer.