Book: Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

I've been meaning to read Ahab's Wife for the last four years, when Liz first recommended it to me. For some reason, I could never get past the first twenty pages or so. This time, I made sure that I did, and I'm happier for it. Ahab's Wife centers around Una Spenser, none other than the wife vaguely referenced in Moby Dick. Ms. Naslund gives her a body, mind, and spirit and created a believable woman hero. The book covers a lot of ground, from the excitement and horror of whaling to the abolitionist movement and American religious discussions of the early-to-mid 1800s. The main character made me fall in love with her a little, too. The language is lush and extraordinarily emotive. A great read.