A novel rich with detail that will draw readers in and immerse them into this Moby Dick retelling. This extremely well researched and written novel is for readers who enjoy exploring classical stories through different lenses. The novel would appeal to both those who enjoyed Moby Dick and readers who were less enthused by that thick tome. Some similarities include the outsider nature of the the narrator Ishmaelle, the precise details of the whaling ship, hierarchy and life aboard. Both are narratives about people who are seeking meaning to their lives, however, Ishmaelle also explores gender identity, race and our relationship with nature while maintaining the style and substance of the time period. Differences lie mainly in the representation and the construction of the narrative where we're allowed into the various thoughts of the characters, including a stream of thought from Captain Seneca, a Black man who is obsessed with hunting Moby Dick and pursued by a tragedy in his past.

Xialu Guo is a great writer, she's like talking and dissecting her thoughts to enlarge your visions. In Call me Ishmaelle, you have to accept she is creating her own world, like any artist would do, not in this period of life but in the past. Once you accept this element, the book is a pure jewel. The writing is clear and precise, and you are escaping in the imagination of the artist. This is exceptional today to find such quality and personality in the drafting of sentences, very personal, and at the same time the whole book is easy to read. This is quite an amazing reading experience ! I am very grateful to the author and the publisher. All opinions are mine.

This book was well written. Character development is it’s strong point. You become invested in their welfare from the start and as the story progresses that invest becomes stronger. This story has themes of race, gender roles, identity, religion and East meets West. If you enjoyed Moby Dick or even if you didn’t this retelling is so well written you will become a fan. I think the most interesting addition to this retelling was the addition Muzi the Taoist and his calming presence. He added a good balance to the story just as his character did for Ishmaelle.

The characters in this book are beautifully written and their crafting is heartfelt. The addition of diversity in so many forms - sex, gender, race, religion, and more - to a classic story brought a fresh complexity and tragic realism to the tale of Moby Dick. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, though perhaps a little slow, it is well worth the read, especially for those invested in the upheaval of what constitutes a "classic."