NEW BEDFORD – From Jan. 5-7, the New Bedford Whaling Museum will host its 22nd annual celebration of author Herman Melville and his novel “Moby-Dick.”
The event, which is free and open to the public, is headlined by a 25-hour readathon of the entire 1851 novel, which takes place aboard a 19th-century whaling vessel called Acushnet. The famous opening line – “Call me Ishmael …” – and following introduction will be read by The New Yorker author and staff writer Alan Burdick.
Two mini-marathons will also take place over the weekend – a Portuguese-language reading of Tiago Patricio’s abridged “Moby-Dick” and a children’s version of the novel.
Guests who remain for all 136 chapters read aloud will receive a prize at the end of the day on Sunday.
The marathon begins on Friday, Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m., with a dinner and reception followed by a screening of the “Call Us Ishmael” documentary by David Shaerf. Friday evening will be capped off with a discussion of the film by the Melville Society Cultural Project.
Full details, including ticket prices, are available online, or to reserve call (508) 997-0046 ext. 100.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
