Melville in Love

April 4, 2016
Shelden (Pulitzer finalist for Orwell: The Authorized Biography) theorizes, skillfully but unconvincingly, that Herman Melville had an affair with his next-door neighbor, Sarah Morewood, in Pittsfield, Mass. Morewood, who like Melville was married, was well known for her wit and beauty. Focusing on the years from 1850 to 1852, Shelden posits her as Melville’s great love, and describes their relationship as a guiding force in the creation of Moby-Dick and even a factor in its tepid original reception from critics. Written with novelistic period detail and peopled with convincingly reanimated historical characters, this short book nonetheless feels overextended. The middle portion departs from the central relationship as Morewood goes off to England and Melville hunkers down to finish Moby-Dick, published in 1851. Shelden uses this interlude to explore painter J.M.W. Turner‘s influence on Moby-Dick and Melville’s friendship with Nathaniel Hawthorne. Although Shelden claims to have found a “long trail of clues” about Melville and Morewood’s connection, his argument relies too heavily on inference, interpretation, and literary exegesis. A costume party, a Christmas dinner laurel ceremony, and a scandalous mixed-sex camping excursion are all scoured for any telling details. The book is an engaging and creative recreation, but the accuracy of Shelden’s conclusions remains suspect.

May 1, 2016

What a scandalous surprise author Shelden's (Orwell: The Authorized Biography) biography will be for anyone who thinks of Herman Melville as just a stately old man with a bushy beard. Using newly discovered archival materials, Shelden relates the adulterous love affair between Melville and Sarah Morewood. He suggests both Moby-Dick and Pierre were heavily influenced by the 19th-century novelist's relationship with Morewood. The courtship was suspected by most and acknowledged by none. Both Melville and Morewood were married during their long-term affair that produced two children and sunk Melville deep into debt in order to be near his mistress. Morewood's early death from consumption sent Melville into a spiral of grief and depression that came close to ruining his family. Shelden carefully and convincingly presents his evidence regarding Morewood's influence and how she inspired Melville to a greatness recognized by few of his peers. The boldness of the lovers is shocking as are the repercussions. Endnotes and a thorough bibliography support Shelden's research and offer further avenues of exploration. VERDICT Written for a general audience, this well-paced, enjoyable read is a must for Melville fans.--Stefanie Hollmichel, Univ. of St. Thomas Law Lib., Minneapolis

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