Name: Ahab's Wife: Or, The Star-gazer
ISBN: 9780060838744

Sena Jeter Naslund

A Novel (P.S.)

Ahab's Wife: Or, The Star-gazer

An alternate view of one of the great American novels. Una, Ahab’s wife, is brave, fierce, and independent - a woman who forges her own happiness rather than waiting for a man to deliver it.

Jacqui Spears

Make no mistake.  This is an amazing, literary work of art, definitely worth 5 stars, just for the effort it took to write.  It just is not a book that touched my heart.  The writing is gorgeous.  There are many literary allusions, especially to Greek mythology and the Transcendentalists, but I was expecting a book that focused on the life of Ahab's wife during the time she was married to him.  

My expectations aside, I have spent a lot of time wondering why I did not connect with this book.  It seems like the type of book that I would love.  I thought reading the story of this woman's journey to find contentment and ease her restless spirit would have meaning to someone who is also restless and discontent, but it did not.  I had hoped it would be a book like "Cold Mountain" or "Where the Crawdads Sing".  When I finished those books, I sighed and felt that certain special feeling, that sense of completeness, that "Wow!  I need to just take a minute to absorb what just happened" feeling.  

I have spent 3 days trying to figure out where the book missed the mark for me.  While I was reading it, I kept thinking about "Cold Mountain" and "Where the Crawdads Sing", two of my favorite literary-type books of all time.  I am the first to admit I do not read very many literary-type books, but when I do, they usually stay with me.  I think the issue I have with "Ahab's Wife" is that I just do not like the main, character, Una.  I did not like the elements of the plot that brought her into contact with Margaret Fuller and some of the Transcendentalists. I thought some parts of the plot dragged as well.  I just was not emotionally invested in Una's journey, unlike the journeys of Kya ("Crawdads") or Inman ("Cold Mountain").  To me, Una came across as cold and self-centered.  

I am glad I read this book.  It has connections to "Moby Dick" or course, and that is one of my top 5 books of all time.  It is beautiful in turn of phrase, and makes you think.  It just did not have the emotional impact my favorite books have. 

shellybn

Make no mistake.  This is an amazing, literary work of art, definitely worth 5 stars, just for the effort it took to write.  It just is not a book that touched my heart.  The writing is gorgeous.  There are many literary allusions, especially to Greek mythology and the Transcendentalists, but I was expecting a book that focused on the life of Ahab's wife during the time she was married to him.  

My expectations aside, I have spent a lot of time wondering why I did not connect with this book.  It seems like the type of book that I would love.  I thought reading the story of this woman's journey to find contentment and ease her restless spirit would have meaning to someone who is also restless and discontent, but it did not.  I had hoped it would be a book like "Cold Mountain" or "Where the Crawdads Sing".  When I finished those books, I sighed and felt that certain special feeling, that sense of completeness, that "Wow!  I need to just take a minute to absorb what just happened" feeling.  

I have spent 3 days trying to figure out where the book missed the mark for me.  While I was reading it, I kept thinking about "Cold Mountain" and "Where the Crawdads Sing", two of my favorite literary-type books of all time.  I am the first to admit I do not read very many literary-type books, but when I do, they usually stay with me.  I think the issue I have with "Ahab's Wife" is that I just do not like the main, character, Una.  I did not like the elements of the plot that brought her into contact with Margaret Fuller and some of the Transcendentalists. I thought some parts of the plot dragged as well.  I just was not emotionally invested in Una's journey, unlike the journeys of Kya ("Crawdads") or Inman ("Cold Mountain").  To me, Una came across as cold and self-centered.  

I am glad I read this book.  It has connections to "Moby Dick" or course, and that is one of my top 5 books of all time.  It is beautiful in turn of phrase, and makes you think.  It just did not have the emotional impact my favorite books have. 

Brigid prior 

Sarah Wakefield 

Vicki Grever

a novel

Ahab's wife, or, The star-gazer

Melody Izard

Judy McClure

Andrea Badgley

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 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.

Ahab's Wife: Or, The Star-gazer A Novel (P.S.)

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