“There she blows!-there she blows! A hump like a snow-hill! It is Moby Dick!”
~~ Herman Melville, American author, quote taken from his book, Moby Dick, chapter 133: The Chase -- First Day (b. August 1, 1819 – d. September 28, 1891)
Hard to believe, Herman Melville’s classic, "Moby Dick," was not well received 162 years ago (1851) by British reviewers and bombed big time. Hard to believe native New Yorker author, Herman Melville coined "There she blows ~ There she blows ..."
Image above screenshot taken from Google doodle, celebrating Moby Dick's 161st as posted on October 18, 2012 at Google.com.
Classified as American Romanticism, in Britain it was first published by Richard Bentley in London on October 18, 1851 and on November 14, 1851 in the U.S.
"Moby Dick" sold only 500 copies in the United Kingdom, compared to 6,700 for Melville's first book, "Typee."
According to The Christian Science Monitor“shortly after Melville's death in 1891, his publisher reprinted several of his novels, including "Moby Dick."
These new editions excited New York's literary scene. Like long-smoldering embers, this underground movement kept Melville's name alive.
Eventually, the flame spread. So much discussion surrounded "Moby Dick" that many people gave the book a second chance.”
Other Resources
► The Christian Science Monitor, Herman Melville books: At first, 'Moby Dick' was a total flop
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