Description

By (author) Melville, Herman

Short /annotation:
Two classics in one volume: “Bartleby,” a disturbing moral allegory set in 19th-century New York, and “Benito Cereno,” a gripping sea adventure that probes the nature of man”s depravity.

:
Two memorable and stirring works in one volume. “Bartleby,” (also called “Bartleby the Scrivener”) is a haunting moral allegory set in the business world of 19th-century New York. “Benito Cereno,” a harrowing tale of slavery and revolt aboard a Spanish ship, is regarded by many as Melville”s finest short story.

Biographical note:
Herman Melville (18191891) found early success with stories inspired by his adventures in the South Seas. His fortunes declined with the 1851 publication of Moby-Dick, now recognized as a masterpiece but scorned by Melvilles contemporaries. The author was obliged to work as a New York City customs inspector and died in obscurity, three decades before the critical reassessment of his work.