Join us for a dive into your next read!Immerse yourself in a literary voyage with The Whaling Museum, where stories unfold above and below the waves.
Registration
WhereThe Whaling Museum & Education Center |
Thu, Mar 28 | 6:30pm
Ahab's Wife, or The Star-Gazer by Sena Jeter Naslund
For more than a century, readers have been captivated by the exploits of the legendary Captain Ahab, but how many of us have spared a thought for the woman he left behind on shore? Ahab’s wife - an unnamed character granted fewer than a dozen sentences in Moby Dick - is brought vividly to life in Sena Jeter Naslund’ rich saga. Participants will inspect artifacts and writings left behind by local whaling wives to see how closely Naslund’s fiction imitates fact. |
Spring 2024 - Upcoming Sessions
Thu, April 18 | 6:30pm
Greenpeace Captain: My Adventures in Protecting the Future of Our Planet by Peter Willcox
How far are you willing to go to save the planet? This April, we’ll embark on a swashbuckling adventure as we sail along with Peter Willcox, a Greenpeace captain for over 30 years. From saving whales in Peru to protesting on Arctic oil rigs, Willcox recounts the many exploits he’s made (and the many prison cells he’s occupied) in the name of Planet Earth. Participants will get a special look at iconic “Save the Whales” memorabilia from the museum’s collection. |
Thu, May 16 | 6:30pm
Jaws by Peter Benchley
Just in time for Memorial Day, join us to confront one of literature's most iconic villains. We’ll follow Brody and Quint as they pursue the monstrous shark through the waters off Long Island (yes, Long Island!) and explore the curious parallels between their expedition and that of Melville’s Captain Ahab. Explore shark bones and fossils from our collections and learn about the many shark species that call Long Island home - and how unlikely it is that you’ll ever receive a bite. We promise, after this session, you’ll have no problem getting back into the water. |
Thu, June 20 | 6:30pm
The Whale: A Love Story by Mark Beauregard
In the summer of 1850, Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne met at a picnic in the Berkshires. Their subsequent friendship and correspondence has fueled over a century of speculation about the precise nature of their relationship. In his novel, Beauregard fills in history’s blank spaces, imagining a captivating love affair between the two literary greats. This Pride month, we’ll explore gender and sexuality in the 19th century and examine historic photos and documents that reveal the fluidity of these categories out at sea. |
Coming this September to Book Club...Read and explore Moby Dick by Herman Melville As the summer approaches, we invite participants to join us in reading "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville over the break.
Our September book club session will explore this literary classic in depth. The spring series will prepare us for the big "Moby Dick" read, offering insights and context to enrich your experience with this epic tale. |