Greg Lennes in WSJ on Rollyson's Review of Parker's MELVILLE BIOGRAPHY in 30 March WALL STREET JOURNAL

Even Bartleby Would Prefer to Read This

I really enjoyed Carl Rollyson's review of Hershel Parker's mighty "Melville Biography: An Inside Narrative" (Books, March 30). It is one of the most important books to be published in 2013. It definitely flushes out the real Herman Melville.

I really enjoyed Carl Rollyson’s review of Hershel Parker’s mighty “Melville Biography: An Inside Narrative” (Books, March 30). It is one of the most important books to be published in 2013. It definitely flushes out the real Herman Melville. Mr. Parker castigates recent biographies that have failed totally to do the necessary and essential research for a biography. As Melville wrote in “Billy Budd”: “Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its jagged edges.” In addition, he does it in a Melvillean, humorous way.
Anyone interested in the real Melville needs to read Mr. Parker’s magnificent two-volume biography. If someone recommends a different biography to read, tell them: “I would prefer not to.”
Greg Lennes