"The Apple-Tree Table, and Other Sketches" by Herman Melville is a set of short stories from the 1800s that starts with a man finding a strange apple-tree table and draws readers into a mix of ghostly events and home life. The stories display Melville's humor and thoughtful ideas through the storytelling built on the conflict caused by the table's magical traits. Initially, the narrator explains how he came across the old apple-tree table in a dusty attic, which sparks interest. The main character's family, especially his daughters, are disturbed by the table's weird feet and scary past, resulting in funny talks about believing in the supernatural and home life. As stress builds, a ticking noise comes from the table, creating both interest and worry, and leading to the finding of a live bug coming out of it, offering a mix of humor and the bizarre. This odd yet disturbing start sets the stage for the collection of stories, which go on to check out how normal and strange things connect.
The Apple-Tree Table, and Other Sketches
By Herman Melville
An old table with a spooky past sparks ghostly events and strange happenings for one family.
Summary
About the AuthorHerman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period. Among his best-known works are Moby-Dick (1851); Typee (1846), a romanticized account of his experiences in Polynesia; and Billy Budd, Sailor, a posthumously published novella. At the time of his death Melville was not well known to the public, but 1919, the centennial of his birth, was the starting point of a Melville revival. Moby-Dick eventually would be considered one of the great American novels.
Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period. Among his best-known works are Moby-Dick (1851); Typee (1846), a romanticized account of his experiences in Polynesia; and Billy Budd, Sailor, a posthumously published novella. At the time of his death Melville was not well known to the public, but 1919, the centennial of his birth, was the starting point of a Melville revival. Moby-Dick eventually would be considered one of the great American novels.
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