As someone who's already read Bartleby, Typee, Benito, Billy,

>>8296282
I got into him with Moby Dick, and stopped after that, though Moby Dick was amazing. Is some of his other work on the same level?

>>8296282
I kept going. So far, I've read Moby-Dick, Pierre, Clarel, The Confidence-Man, and Bartleby. His prose is god-tier and his stories like Pierre and The Confidence-Man have an experimental and modernist feel to them. Moby-Dick is still his best, even though Pierre comes close—funny, tragic, weird as fuck.

Don't force yourself through his oeuvre, but at least give it a chance. The Confidence-Man is great; Melville is in complete control and really fucks with you.

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I've read Moby Dick and Bartleby. I thought Bartleby was really good, but not "amazing." Moby Dick is by far my favorite book.

I never knew Melville for anything other than Moby Dick. Are the rest of his works good? What about his poetry?

>>8298118
I've read Billy Budd. It was great. He's got nice insight when it comes to the mind of a psycho and he's got some comments on civilisation and barbarism.

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>>8298118
I really like his poetry, but most of the time it's not half as poetic as his prose.

"In placid hours well-pleased we dream
Of many a brave unbodied scheme.
But form to lend, pulsed life create,
What unlike things must meet and mate:
A flame to melt—a wind to freeze;
Sad patience—joyous energies;
Humility—yet pride and scorn;
Instinct and study; love and hate;
Audacity—reverence. These must mate,
And fuse with Jacob’s mystic heart,
To wrestle with the angel—Art."

Pierre

>>8296282
As a Law Student I really enjoy Billy Budd. A great little scenario showing a conflict of law and morals, Vere is a great character also.
Bartleby reminds me of a lighthearted Kafka, in a good way.
Moby Dick is incredible in every way possible.

Haven't read anything else, but I definitely should.

Read Bartleby, Billy Bid, and Benito for school and Moby Dick on my own. The Confidence Man sounds good, but I wouldn't push it beyond that. His other novels are never spoken of outside of circles who want to be seen as Melville enthusiasts and I think there might be a reason for that. I'd say just hit the highlights.