I recommend this book to historians, philosophers, religious fanatics, marine biologist and butchers. For everyone else this book will be a painful journey of boredom.
Other stories made believe Moby Dick is an action packed adventure story. And the first 15% seemed like it. The friendship between Queequeg was very touching and funny. My mind and body were willing. But the moment their feet touched the boat this was a downward spiral. After 25% percent the prose gets so annoying and over the top and you wished Ismael would just shut up.
Maybe, if Moby Dick would be the only book I ever have owned in my life, I would like it because I had lexica entries, parables, philosophical thoughts and the main story. But thank God I have a lot of books and I really like consistent story telling.
That one does not exist btw. I was continuously lost.
I also founded a Moby Dick fan club, because I was so thankful when the whale showed up and ended my misery. It was also a satisfaction to know that nature always fights back. Somehow I ignored the fact that I really don't like animal slaughter, when I started the book and I realized far too late that this is what happens on a whale ship.

As always I also looked for the good. For a book from the 19th century it's quite diverse, that was interesting to see. Also Ahabs character was quite mad which was fascinating, because you could not withdraw from that. That part of the story was quite well done, but I mean, the time I spent to read Moby Dick, could have also been used to reread Edgar A. Poes stories. I am pretty sure I know what I would have enjoyed more.