Book Review: Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street by Herman Melville
(Three Stars)
“Nipper’s ugly mood was on duty and Turkey’s off.”
A shaggy dog story. First published in 1853. Nothing much happens; that seems to be the point. Told realistically and with a touch of humor.
“I should have been delighted with his application, had he been cheerfully industrious. But he wrote on silently, palely, mechanically.”
Imagine what a different world New York City was 150 years ago,. Can you imagine making a living copying legal documents? Yet Melville connects with the reader. As does, sadly, poor Bartleby.
“The bond of common humanity now drew me irresistibly to gloom. A fraternal melancholy! For both I and Bartleby were sons of Adam.”
As a Matter of Fancy 