AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
The History of Literature
669 Obsessed with Melville (with Jennifer Habel and Chris Bachelder) | My Last Book with Alexander Poots
Jan 13, 2025
Jennifer Habel, a poet and co-author of 'Days Work,' and Chris Bachelder, a novelist, dive into the obsession that sparked Habel's midlife exploration tied to Herman Melville's life and literature. They discuss how Melville's works, particularly 'Moby Dick,' evolved from obligation to genuine appreciation for them. The conversation also reveals the profound friendship between Melville and Hawthorne, alongside themes of personal struggle, ambition, and legacy, as both artists reflect on their own journeys and the impact of their literary inspirations.
56:00
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The podcast explores how Herman Melville's complex relationships, especially with his wife and Nathaniel Hawthorne, influenced his literary creativity and struggles.
- Jennifer Habel and Chris Batchelder discuss their novel 'Dayswork', reflecting on Melville's legacy while intertwining personal narratives arising from pandemic-induced introspection.
Deep dives
The Impact of Herman Melville
The podcast examines the influential life and works of Herman Melville, particularly through the lens of his relationships and the complexities of his marriage. Melville's struggles as a writer struggling for recognition, notably highlighted during the creation of 'Moby Dick', serve as a focus point. The conversation reveals how his interactions with literary figures like Nathaniel Hawthorne played a pivotal role in shaping Melville's writing journey. The hosts explore Melville's deep obsession with art and its costs, suggesting that his artistic pursuits often came at personal costs, reflecting broader themes of ambition and identity.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode