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I Would Prefer Not To

Essential Stories
By Herman Melville
Series: Pushkin Collection
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.74 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 99 ratings, 24 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In I Would Prefer Not To, Herman Melville explores themes of passive resistance and individuality through his character Bartleby, a scrivener who increasingly refuses to engage with assigned tasks in a law office. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Wall Street, Bartleby's inexplicable behaviour challenges his employer and colleagues, raising profound questions about humanity and the modern work environment.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate a compelling examination of passive resistance and individuality. It may appeal to readers who are intrigued by a complex yet succinct narrative exploring the struggles of conformity versus personal preference. If subtle satire and rich character dynamics intrigue you, this book could be a rewarding choice.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

In these stories of the surreal mundanity of office life and obscure tensions at sea, Melville's darkly modern sensibility plunges us into a world of irony and mystery, where nothing is as it first appears.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
A lawyer hires a new copyist, only to be met with stubborn, confounding resistance. A cynical lightning rod salesman plies his trade by exploiting fears in stormy weather. After boarding a beleaguered Spanish slave ship, an American trader's cheerful outlook is repeatedly shadowed by paralyzing unease.

Series: Pushkin Collection

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  • I Would Prefer Not To
    A lawyer hires a new copyist, only to be met with stubborn, confounding resistance. A cynical lightning rod salesman plies his trade by exploiting fears in stormy weather. After boarding a beleaguered Spanish slave ship, an American trader's cheerful outlook is repeatedly shadowed by paralyzing unease.
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

I Would Prefer Not To showcases Melville’s remarkable ability to weave profound existential themes into his narratives. Reviewers praise the collection for its cosmic and timeless resonance, with "Bartleby, the Scrivener" frequently highlighted for its haunting perfection and modern relevance. The book's stories are noted for their enduring brilliance and Melville's masterful portrayal of resistance and gothic intensity.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781782277460

Publisher: Pushkin Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 September 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Pushkin Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 120.0mm

Height: 165.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 256

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Herman Melville Literary Fiction Series: Pushkin Collection

About the Author

Herman Melville was born to a merchant family in New York City in 1819. His father died suddenly in 1832, and Melville took jobs as a bank clerk, a farmhand and a teacher to make ends meet. In 1839, he embarked on the first in a series of sea voyages that would provide him with inspiration for his novels Typee (1846), Omoo (1847) and his great masterpiece, Moby-Dick (1851). Following poor sales and hostile reviews, Melville abandoned fiction writing in 1857, turning to poetry and a career as a customs inspector on the New York docks. He died in relative obscurity in 1891.

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