Herman Melville
Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period. He is best known for his novel 'Moby-Dick'.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Moby-Dick
or, The Whale
The novel is a detailed narrative of a vengeful sea captain's obsessive quest to hunt down a giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg. The captain's relentless pursuit, despite the warnings and concerns of his crew, leads them on a dangerous journey across the seas. The story is a complex exploration of good and evil, obsession, and the nature of reality, filled with rich descriptions of whaling and the sea.
The 7th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
2. Bartleby the Scrivener
A Story of Wall Street
"Bartleby the Scrivener" is a story set in Wall Street, revolving around a law firm clerk named Bartleby who, after initially proving himself a diligent employee, begins to refuse his boss's orders with the phrase "I would prefer not to." Despite being fired and even imprisoned, Bartleby continues his passive resistance until his eventual death. The narrative explores themes of isolation, the mechanization of the workplace, and the inexplicable nature of human behavior.
The 459th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
3. Billy Budd
Sailor (An Inside Narrative)
Set in the late 18th century, this novel tells the story of Billy Budd, a handsome, charismatic, but uneducated sailor who is forced to leave his merchant ship and join the crew of a British warship. Despite his popularity among the crew, he inadvertently makes an enemy of the master-at-arms, who falsely accuses him of mutiny. In a moment of panic, Budd accidentally kills his accuser, leading to his own court-martial and execution, despite the captain's reluctance and the crew's support. The novel explores themes of innocence, corruption, and the complexities of moral judgment.
The 1267th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
4. The Confidence Man
His Masquerade
"The Confidence Man" by Herman Melville is a satirical novel that takes place on a Mississippi steamboat, where a mysterious man known as the Confidence Man interacts with various passengers, exploiting their weaknesses and manipulating their trust. Through a series of encounters and conversations, Melville explores themes of deception, human gullibility, and the complexities of identity, ultimately challenging the reader's perception of truth and the nature of confidence.
The 1526th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
5. I And My Chimney
The narrative centers around the protagonist's deep affection for his large, central chimney, which stands as a symbol of stability and tradition in his family home. Despite pressure from his wife and visitors to modernize and alter the structure, the protagonist staunchly defends the chimney's significance and resists change. The story unfolds as a humorous and satirical commentary on the conflicts between modernity and tradition, personal attachment to one's home, and the dynamics of marital compromise, all while showcasing the narrator's whimsical and obstinate character in his crusade to preserve his beloved chimney.
The 3625th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
6. The Piazza Tales
"The Piazza Tales" is a collection of short stories that delve into themes of truth, humanity, and the nature of reality through a blend of satire, allegory, and adventure. The stories, set in various locations and time periods, explore the complexities of human experience, from the pursuit of an idealistic dream in a remote village to the mysterious and haunting encounters on the high seas. The author weaves rich, symbolic narratives that challenge readers to question their perceptions and the world around them, often blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. Each tale offers a unique perspective on the human condition, showcasing the author's masterful storytelling and deep philosophical insight.
The 5851st Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
7. Clarel
A Poem and Pilgrimage in the Holy Land
This epic poem, one of the longest in American literature, explores the profound complexities of faith and doubt through the spiritual journey of its titular character, a young American student of divinity. Set against the backdrop of a pilgrimage in the Holy Land, the narrative delves into the interactions and philosophical dialogues between a diverse cast of characters, each representing different facets of religious and existential thought. The protagonist's quest for meaning is fraught with intellectual and emotional turmoil, reflecting the author's own meditations on belief, morality, and the human condition in the post-Civil War era.
The 7199th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
8. Collected Poems
This anthology is a comprehensive collection of poetic works by a 19th-century American writer, more commonly known for his contributions to classic literature through his novels. The poems within this compilation reflect a range of themes, from the profound depths of the sea and the whaling life to meditations on the human condition, nature, and the cosmos. The author's use of rich, evocative language and his exploration of existential questions demonstrate his literary prowess beyond his prose, revealing a multifaceted contemplation of the world and the author's own internal landscape.
The 7700th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
9. Benito Cereno
A Narrative of Voyages and Adventures
"Benito Cereno" is a novella that tells the story of an American sea captain, Amasa Delano, who comes across a ship in distress off the coast of Chile. The ship, led by Captain Benito Cereno, appears to be in a state of disarray, with a mixed crew of Spanish sailors and African slaves. Throughout the story, Delano is kept in the dark about the true state of affairs on the ship, and it's only at the very end that he discovers a shocking truth - the slaves have revolted and are in control, with Cereno their captive. The novella is a tense exploration of power dynamics, race, and the nature of freedom.
The 11512th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
10. Redburn
His First Voyage
The novel follows the journey of a young man from a genteel but impoverished family who seeks to better his circumstances by becoming a sailor on a merchant ship bound for Liverpool. Throughout his voyage, he encounters harsh realities and challenges of sea life, including the rough manners of his shipmates, the squalor of the Liverpool slums, and the stark contrasts between wealth and poverty. The protagonist's experiences and observations lead him to reflect on social injustice and personal identity, ultimately shaping his understanding of the world and his place within it.
The 17010th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
11. Pierre Or The Ambiguities
The Ambiguities
The novel explores the psychological and moral complexities of its protagonist, Pierre Glendinning, a young man from a wealthy family who becomes entangled in a web of familial secrets and personal dilemmas. As Pierre grapples with revelations about his lineage and the enigmatic presence of his half-sister, Isabel, he is driven by a quest for truth and authenticity that leads him to reject societal norms and expectations. The narrative delves into themes of identity, ambiguity, and the conflict between idealism and reality, ultimately portraying Pierre's descent into madness and tragedy as he struggles to reconcile his inner turmoil with the external world.
The 16905th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
12. Selected Tales And Poems
This collection brings together a diverse array of stories and poems that explore themes of adventure, existential reflection, and the human condition. Through vivid narratives and rich symbolism, the works delve into the complexities of life at sea, the struggles of individual identity, and the profound mysteries of existence. The tales often feature characters confronting moral dilemmas and the unknown, while the poems offer introspective meditations on nature, society, and the self. The compilation showcases the author's distinctive style and his ability to weave intricate tales that resonate with philosophical depth and emotional intensity.
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13. Typee
A Peep at Polynesian Life
The novel is a semi-autobiographical account of a sailor's adventures in the South Pacific, focusing on his escape from a whaling ship and subsequent stay on the island of Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas. The protagonist, Tommo, along with his companion Toby, finds refuge among the Typee, a tribe reputed for their cannibalistic practices. As Tommo immerses himself in their culture, he is both captivated by their idyllic lifestyle and haunted by the fear of their rumored savagery. The narrative explores themes of cultural relativism, the clash between civilization and perceived savagery, and the complexities of human nature, ultimately questioning the assumptions of Western superiority.
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14. Journal Of A Visit To London And The Continent By Herman Melville, 1849 1850
The book is a travelogue detailing the author's experiences and observations during his journey to London and various parts of the European continent between 1849 and 1850. Through vivid descriptions and personal reflections, the author captures the cultural, social, and architectural landscapes of the places he visits. The narrative provides insights into the author's encounters with notable figures of the time, as well as his contemplations on art, history, and the differences between the Old World and the New. The work offers a unique perspective on mid-19th century Europe through the eyes of an American traveler.
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15. Billy Budd And Other Stories
The Piazza Tales
This collection of stories delves into the complexities of human nature and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in various maritime settings. The narratives explore themes of innocence, justice, and the harsh realities of life at sea, often highlighting the tension between individual conscience and societal norms. Through richly detailed characters and vivid descriptions, the tales offer a profound reflection on the human condition, capturing the struggles and triumphs of sailors as they navigate the unpredictable waters of both the ocean and their own souls.
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16. The Divine Magnet
In this reflective and introspective work, the author delves into the profound and often tumultuous relationship between humanity and the divine. Through a series of essays and musings, the narrative explores the magnetic pull of spirituality and the quest for deeper meaning in life. The text weaves together philosophical insights and personal anecdotes, inviting readers to ponder the nature of faith, the complexities of human existence, and the eternal search for connection with a higher power. With eloquent prose and thoughtful reflections, the work offers a contemplative journey into the heart of spiritual longing and discovery.
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17. Short Fiction
This collection of short stories delves into the complexities of human nature and society through a series of compelling narratives. Each tale explores themes of isolation, identity, and morality, often set against the backdrop of the sea or the bustling streets of 19th-century America. The characters, ranging from sailors to clerks, grapple with their inner conflicts and societal expectations, revealing the profound struggles and revelations that define the human experience. The stories are rich in symbolism and imbued with a sense of melancholy, inviting readers to reflect on the deeper meanings of life and the choices we make.
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18. Billy Budd, Sailor And Other Stories
Set in the late 18th century, this collection of stories explores themes of innocence, justice, and the complexities of human nature through the tale of a young, handsome sailor who is admired by his peers but becomes entangled in a tragic conflict aboard a British warship. The narrative delves into the moral dilemmas faced by the ship's officers as they grapple with the consequences of their actions, ultimately questioning the nature of good and evil. The stories are rich with symbolic meaning and offer a profound reflection on the human condition, showcasing the author's mastery of storytelling and deep philosophical insights.
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19. Typee, Omoo, Mardi
A semi-autobiographical sequence of South Pacific voyages and island encounters in which a young seafarer deserts ship, experiences a lush and enigmatic indigenous community that challenges his assumptions, continues through further Polynesian stays and shipboard life, and culminates in a more ambitious, allegorical odyssey that probes colonialism, cultural clash, political idealism, and the narrator’s search for meaning and belonging.
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20. Pierre / Israel Potter / The Piazza Tales / The Confidence Man / Uncollected Prose / Billy Budd
A collected volume of varied narratives ranging from a melodramatic psychological novel and a historical Revolutionary War adventure to a suite of haunting short stories, a satirical philosophical voyage of con-artistry on a riverboat, assorted essays, and a posthumous novella about innocence and maritime justice; together they explore identity, conscience, law, obsession, and the sea with dense lyricism, dark irony, moral ambiguity, and a restless probing of human motive and fate.
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21. Battle Pieces And Aspects Of The War
A collection of poems and short pieces reflecting on the American Civil War, offering vivid portrayals of battles, funerals, and everyday soldiers while probing the moral, spiritual, and national consequences of violence. The tone moves between elegy, historical reportage, and philosophical meditation, combining mournful empathy for the dead with critical reflection on sacrifice, patriotism, and the ambiguous meaning of victory.
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22. White Jacket Or, The World In A Man Of War
The World in a Man-of-War
A young sailor's vivid, often ironic first-person account of life aboard a mid-19th-century American warship, blending colorful sketches of shipmates and sea adventures with pointed criticism of naval discipline, dehumanizing punishments, and bureaucratic absurdities. Through battles, storms, and routine duties the narrator meditates on hierarchy, camaraderie, vulnerability, and mortality, using humor and moral outrage to argue for reform in naval practice.
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23. The Bell Tower
A reclusive craftsman becomes consumed by the ambition to create and hoist an enormous bell in a towering structure, seeking immortal acclaim for his art; his pride, technical excesses, and the public spectacle surrounding the work lead to sudden disaster when the great bell and tower fail, bringing ruin on his achievement and life, while the story satirically exposes artistic vanity, critical taste, and the transience of fame.
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24. Seven Novels
A single-volume collection of seven sprawling 19th-century novels that ranges from exotic island and whaling adventures to ambitious symbolic epics and intimate psychological dramas; it follows sailors, wanderers, and troubled narrators who confront inscrutable natural forces, obsession, and social hypocrisy. The works blend vivid maritime detail and travel narrative with philosophical digressions, satire, and lyrical passages, repeatedly probing the limits of knowledge, the ambiguity of morality, and the costs of isolation. Together they offer a powerful mix of adventure and contemplative intensity, marked by dense symbolism and memorable, often haunted characters.
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25. Complete Shorter Fiction
A compact collection of short narratives and novellas that range from nautical adventures and exotic sketches to urban parables and dark moral allegories; the pieces probe isolation, conscience, authority, and the ambiguous line between civilization and savagery, using richly symbolic language, ironic distance, and bleak humor to unsettle readers while illuminating obsession, mutiny, moral blindness, and the unknowable forces that shape human fate.
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26. Melville's Short Novels
A collected set of shorter narrative works that follow maritime adventures and island wanderings, combining vivid, often autobiographical descriptive detail with philosophical digression and social satire; the stories juxtapose seafaring spectacle and intimate moral struggle to examine obsession, authority, identity, and the limits of language, frequently ending in ambiguity or quiet tragedy and showcasing densely imagistic prose that ranges from humor to grim introspection.
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