From School Library Journal
Grade 5–9—In this beautifully designed adaptation of the classic novel, Needle sticks largely to Melville's original wording, but leaves out lengthy passages on whaling and the day-to-day workings of a seafaring voyage. New passages are delineated with an italicized font, and the tale flows fairly seamlessly between the original text and Needle's interspersed summaries and commentary. Although this is technically an abridgement, the length and complexity of Melville's text plus Needle's commentary direct it to an intermediate audience. Handsome pencil, ink, and watercolor illustrations on nearly every spread evoke the vastness and unfathomable mystery of the sea, varying from black and white to full color. A glossary and cross-section of a whaling ship assist in understanding the tale. This version of the story is for readers who want to read
Moby-Dick, with its intriguing characters and thrilling adventure, but are perhaps not ready for the full-length tale.—
Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library, IL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Considerably abridged from what Needle characterizes as Herman Melville's "enormous . . . long and rambling, even obscure" novel, this reworking, with moody illustrations on nearly every page, won't look out of place on a coffee table but still offers plenty of substance. Needle links passages of the original book, ranging in length from one line to several pages, with extended, ruminative summaries and his own comments, which are distinguished by a lighter typeface. Benson ably captures the tale's gloom and grandeur with a plethora of strong character portraits and other illustrations, mostly rendered in shadowed, atmospheric pen and ink, that burst into full color when the white whale arrives on the scene. Closing with a glossary of nautical terms and a labeled cutaway view of a typical whaling ship, this version will appeal to readers who might be after a richer literary experience than Will Eisner offers in his graphic novel retelling (2001) but are still reluctant to immerse themselves in the pleasures of the full-size leviathan.
John PetersCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved