Billy Budd, Sailor (An Inside Narrative) is a classic novella by Herman Melville. It was left unfinished at his death in 1891, and acclaimed by critics as a masterpiece when a hastily transcribed version was finally published in 1924. The story takes place on board the HMS Bellipotent in 1797, during a time when the Royal Navy was threatened by...More
Herman Melville (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period. Among his best-known works are Moby-Dick (1851), Typee (1846), a romanticized account of his experiences in Polynesia, and Billy Budd, Sailor, a posthumously published novella. Although his reputation was not high at the time of his death, the centennial of his birth in 1919 was the starting point of a Melville revival and Moby-Dick grew to be considered one of the great American novels.
Herman Melville (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period. Among his best-known works are Moby-Dick (1851), Typee (1846), a romanticized account of his experiences in Polynesia, and Billy Budd, Sailor, a posthumously published novella. Although his reputation was not high at the time of his death, the centennial of his birth in 1919 was the starting point of a Melville revival and Moby-Dick grew to be considered one of the great American novels.
Book Summary
Billy Budd, Sailor (An Inside Narrative) is a classic novella by Herman Melville. It was left unfinished at his death in 1891, and acclaimed by critics as a masterpiece when a hastily transcribed version was finally published in 1924. The story takes place on board the HMS Bellipotent in 1797, during a time when the Royal Navy was threatened by mutiny and the Revolutionary French Republic. Billy Budd is a handsome and innocent foundling who is popular among the crew. However, the ship's master-at-arms, John Claggart, is envious of Billy and falsely accuses him of conspiracy to mutiny. When presented with the charges, Billy becomes so frustrated that he strikes out and kills Claggart. Despite believing in Billy's moral innocence, the ship's captain, Edward Fairfax Vere, convenes a court-martial and Billy is sentenced to be hanged. The novel concludes with ambiguity, leaving readers to question the moral implications of the events that transpired.
Herman Melville
