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'Struck dead by an angel of God! Yet the angel must hang!'
It is the end of the eighteenth century, and the navy recruits the eponymous hero - the 'Handsome Sailor' - to its fleet. Accused of mutinous behaviour, Billy Budd is forced to defend himself, but his fearful, silent response soon gives way to a terrible act of violence. The consequences are disastrous, and nothing can prevent the force of judgment and eventual justice upon him. Discovered among Melville's papers after his death and published posthumously in 1924, 'Billy Budd' is a powerful tale of guilt and innocence, crime and punishment, and the cost of adhering to duty.
From the author of 'Moby Dick', Melville's allegorical tales are loaded with symbolism, and showcase his distinctive writing style and themes in shorter form.
| ISBN: | 9780007558193 |
| Publication date: | 28th August 2014 |
| Author: | Herman Melville |
| Publisher: | William Collins an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 368 pages |
| Series: | Collins Classics |
| Genres: |
Classic fiction: general and literary Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900 Naval forces and warfare Mutiny Maritime history Military history Ships and boats: general interest Historical Fiction |