(Read ARC via NetGalley)
The Moby-Dick Blues by Michael Strelow is a masterful blend of literary homage and contemporary storytelling that will leave readers captivated from beginning to end. Strelow's unique approach to weaving together the classic tale of Moby-Dick with a modern-day narrative creates a harmonious symphony of adventure and introspection. One of the standout aspects of this novel is Strelow's ability to transport readers into the heart of his story. His vivid descriptions of the rugged Oregon coast and the deep-sea fishing community breathe life into the setting, making it feel tangible and immersive. From the salty air to the creaking of wooden boats, every detail is meticulously crafted, transporting readers into a world where the ocean's vastness mirrors the depths of the human soul. The characters in The Moby-Dick Blues are complex and multi-dimensional, each carrying their own burdens and desires. Strelow expertly explores themes of obsession, redemption, and the eternal quest for meaning through his characters' journeys. The protagonist's internal struggle with his own demons mirrors Captain Ahab's pursuit of the great white whale, creating a thought-provoking parallel that adds depth and resonance to the narrative. Strelow's prose is poetic and evocative, effortlessly capturing the essence of the sea and its timeless allure. His writing style is both accessible and rich, striking a perfect balance between lyrical passages and fast-paced action. The author's deep understanding of Herman Melville's original work shines through, as he seamlessly integrates references and allusions that pay homage to Moby-Dick without overshadowing his own narrative. The Moby-Dick Blues is not a book to be rushed through; it demands to be savored and contemplated. Strelow's exploration of the human condition and the eternal battle between man and nature is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. This novel is a testament to the enduring power of great literature and its ability to inspire new stories that stand on their own merits. In conclusion, The Moby-Dick Blues is a captivating and beautifully written novel that will appeal to both fans of classic literature and contemporary fiction. Michael Strelow's ability to seamlessly blend two narratives into a cohesive and compelling whole is a testament to his skill as a storyteller. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience.

Amazing novel! fans of historical fiction mixed with a bit of fact and with modern-day characters with familiar problems and weaves them together in a fascinating mix. Highly recommend!

An unexpected protagonist in a beautifully orchestrated story. You'll fall in love with some characters, and hate others. This book draws you in and doesn't let go.

Just a warning - parts of this story will tug at your heart strings. The way Arvin is treated by his family is nothing short of horrid. The discovery of the manuscript is both a blessing and a curse - it can help Arvin escape, but people are willing to kill for it. Switching between Throne and Arvin we get two unique perspectives on the manuscript and on Arvin's family life. Greed, financial struggles, a need to escape and the literary find of the century combine for a captivating story.

After an initial struggle maintaining my interest the book redeemed itself and culminated in an interesting read.
Michael Strelow strikes an intriguing contrast between impending financial ruin, redemption and ultimately, greed.
Thanks to John Hunt/Roundfire and Netgalley for the ARC.

This was an intriguing and thought provoking story, just a little too bleak at times for me!

At the heart of the story is Arvin - a young boy who is picked on relentlessly by his family who call him slow, and ignore him most of the time, until they become aware that he has uncovered a priceless manuscript of the original Moby Dick and they see the dollar signs to help their family business out of the trouble it is in. Arvin has his own plans for the money - he sees a better life for himself in Mexico away from his family.

Dr Thorne is a Melville expert and is beside himself with excitement when word reaches of him about this manuscript. As he comes into contact with Arvin and his family he is witness to their games, the weird dynamics amongst them and watches on pondering his own life and consequences of his actions.

I loved the historical aspect, of the glimpse of a better life that discovering such a priceless object brings, but the flip side is the greed that it also brings and when there's a family and others who show very little trust in one another, the positives of such an event soon fade away.

Arvin was my favourite character in this - so happy early on to hide away in the house, uncovering its' many secrets, replaying the times when his brothers bully him, and thinking how much better his life could be if he could just get away.

This was a quirky read that required a little more effort to embrace than many other books I've read recently, but ultimately was an enjoyable experience.

What an amazing experience The Moby Dick Blues is for the reader. Michael Strelow offers a character driven commentary on how we look at people, as well as how people see themselves. The main character, Arvin, is complex and layered but so clear voiced. He lives among the shadows, having been judged by others to be "slow." Arvin is slow, deliberate in thoughts and actions, but certainly not stupid. He has a better grasp of human frailty and behavior than is first apparent. The reader gets to take a journey of discovery with Arvin, first in his discovery of Melville's original manuscript, and then on to the what's next. I appreciated the opportunity to reach back and review my copy of Melville to see if the notes and changes in the novel would make a difference to my interpretation of the original. The Moby Dick Blues twists and turns and does not disappoint. I could definitely see this novel as a splendid selection for a book discussion group, and I offer kudos to the studio that obtains film rights.

I admit that at first I struggled to get into this book and into Arvin’s head, but I’m so glad I kept going. The way the author creates Arvin’s ‘take’ on events – the looker-on who sees most of the game – is just as good as Mark Haddon’s portrayal of Christopher in the ‘The Curious Incident’.

Being a fan of Melville, I also enjoyed the scenes where Professor Thorne takes up the narrative and becomes involved in the literary feeding frenzy over the lost, now found, Melville manuscript, especially the scene where he meets Arvin and his eccentric family. I'll just say: poor Arvin.

So…
Quirky. A little difficult to get into. Ultimately rewarding. Rather like the original ‘Moby Dick’!

I have to admit I was struggling during the first third of this book. It just seemed like such a random story and set of characters, I was confused about the meaning and purpose of all of this. Yet, I found a certain honesty to Arvin, especially in the second half of the book, that I enjoyed more than I had expected.
It is a simple story and tragic about a terrible family and a broken kid. It all unravels quite quickly, therefore, sometimes, I felt the story was rushed and there was practically no background to this set of characters. Arvin is the best part of this book for me and I wish the entire thing was narrated by him and we could get deeper descriptions of the people he knows along with it.
It is not a complex tale. But I found it quite enjoyable and complete for such a short book. I also left it wanting to know more about these characters in other circumstances and more about Arvin. I enjoyed the characters far more than the series of events themselves.
At the same time, I am quite sure this book is probably not for everyone. The setting is pretty specific and I think there is a lot of room for a considerable chunk of this planet's wonderful readers to question the entire purpose of telling this story. And I get them. So, give it a go I say, but go into it with realistic expectations.

A reflective read of the marvel in finding an original Moby Dick manuscript and the terrible burden of it. A tale of a boy that found this incredible Melville manuscript in the walls of his home, and the trickle down effects of it on his family and collectors which are interested in it. A bit slow at times, yet a creative, thoughtful and original read. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the early edition, for my honest opinion.

Michael Strelow brings us an excellent who-done-it, peopled with folks easily understood and excellent peeks into both Newport, Oregon on the Pacific coast and the Massachusetts Atlantic coast. I very much enjoyed both the mystery and the history in this novel. Herman Melville's original manuscript of Moby Dick plays a large role in this novel and there are insights and corrections to the manuscript that alter the focus of the that novel about the great white whale. Strelow can have you laughing at the darndest things one minute and often in tears as well, generally about Arvin.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Michael Strelow, and Roundfire Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

The Moby-Dick Blues has two narrators: Arvin, who knows he's slow but will get there if he's given enough time; and Thorne, a Professor whose main interest is Herman Melville.

Arvin gets picked on by his brothers. They won't let him tag along with them unless their mother insists. When they do, he's the butt of their jokes and they steal his meatball sandwiches. His older sister, Salome, rules over everyone.

Salome is formed from repressed rage. The family business is deeply in debt, their circumstances are reduced from the days of their greatness and they have lost their place in society. Salome wants things back the way they used to be.

When Arvin discovers the lost manuscript of Moby-Dick hidden in the walls of their house, he instinctively knows that these papers are worth a lot. These papers will allow him to buy as many meatball sandwiches as he can eat - if he can stop Salome from getting her hands on them.

Eventually, news of the manuscript leaks out and Professor Thorne is drawn into the search for a buyer. Thorne is a reclusive who reluctantly develops relationships with two people who contact him as agents for potential buyers. When they both end up dead in unusual circumstances, he wishes he'd stayed out of the limelight.

I found Arvin's chapters more accessible than Thorne's but enjoyed the book very much over all. Whether you have read Moby-Dick or not, this novel is an entertaining foray into the world of literary discoveries and the minds of those involved in them.

Great novel about a priceless manuscript and a young man who lacks value to his family.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Arvin Kraft loves his complicated family, but they talk about him: how slow he is, how they need to share the burden of caring for him, how tired they all are. He hides in the walls of the family’s old house in Boston and listens to their laments. And he also discovers there a lead box of old papers. Slowly he reads them and finds they are the original manuscript of Melville’s Moby-Dick, long thought to have been lost in an 1850s fire at his publisher. The manuscript is valuable enough to save the family’s failing construction business if marketed properly. But Arvin wants more and Professor Thorne is the Melville expert who can help. Arvin and the professor take turns telling this tale with its lyric resonances of Moby-Dick, the specter of the curse of Ahab and strange deaths, and the scramble of greed as the manuscript becomes more valuable by the hour. If, like me, you are ready for a literary read, I would recommend The Moby-Dick Blues by Michael Strelow. The book brought to mind the first time I took on the challenge of reading Melville's classic. The book also works well as a model of characterization and reaches back to my love of literature. All in all, this title worked very well for me.

Michael Strelow shook the very ground I walk on. Proposed that the original manuscript for Moby Dick, lost for countless years had resurfaced. What a find that would be. Discovered tucked away in an old house by a young man, Arvin Kraft. A sad young man. Undeserved contempt had been leveled at him throughout his God forsaken life. Shared an up close and personal relationship with abandonment. All based solely on his being just a little slow. Not retarded - a slow thinker. Slow reactor. Sad. This character-driven narrative guided me through the sorrowful failings of a family that seemed to find pleasure from discarding one of its own. This well-written storyline of blatant deceit concluded with a brilliant metaphor that danced in the dark with the ghost ship - Pequod.

No other family members knew that youngest brother Arvin spent considerable time sandwiched between the walls of their ancient home. His home away from home. His sanctuary. The only place where he could take refuge to escape his family's disdain. Free to covertly slither throughout the house and eavesdrop on conversations. One day, quite by accident, he discovered the original manuscript for the classic Moby Dick hidden deep inside the wall. At the time, its value to him, to the world - unknown.

To Arvin, the hidden treasure represented a new life. A new beginning. Anywhere else would do just so long as it took him away from his daily abuse. The further, the better. Knew he'd never be missed. Better to be alone than treated like a contagious disease. All he ever wanted was to be accepted. My stomach ached for him. Little did he know that its discovery would lead down a darkened road to a path of ruin. With a vengeance, the quest of fortune and fame had reared its ugly head with razor sharp fangs. For Arvin, it was too late to turn back. Wherever it took him, no matter what, he had to see his journey through.