Melville's folk roots

the long version

Melville's Folk Roots brings to the forefront the depth of Melville's immersion with and borrowing from oral traditions, both musical and narrative; tall-tale humor; nautical folklore; superstition; and legend. Though intended as a survey of Melville's use of folklore, this book also is important as a general introduction to his work. Unencumbered by critical jargon and narrated in an engaging manner, this book will appeal to general readers as well as seasoned scholars of Melville.