This essential collection brings together Melville's most celebrated shorter works, including the haunting Billy Budd, the enigmatic Bartleby, the Scrivener, and other masterful tales that showcase his genius beyond Moby-Dick. These stories explore themes of isolation, duty, and the human condition with Melville's characteristic depth and philosophical complexity. From the tragic innocence of Billy Budd to Bartleby's mysterious refusal, these works reveal Melville's profound understanding of the contradictions at the heart of American society.

Why We Picked It: Because Melville's shorter works are just as powerful as his epic novels, offering concentrated doses of his philosophical insights and literary brilliance. These stories remain startlingly modern in their exploration of alienation, authority, and the individual's place in an indifferent world.

Details: • Author: Herman Melville • Introduction by: Peter M. Coviello • Publisher: Penguin Classics • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: April 26, 2016 • ISBN: 0143107607

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