Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. The Moby-Dick Blues by Michael Strelow is a masterful blend of literary homage and contemporary storytelling that will leave readers captivated from beginning to end. Strelow's unique approach to weaving together the classic tale of Moby-Dick with a modern-day narrative creates a harmonious symphony of adventure and introspection. One of the standout aspects of this novel is Strelow's ability to transport readers into the heart of his story. His vivid descriptions of the rugged Oregon coast and the deep-sea fishing community breathe life into the setting, making it feel tangible and immersive. From the salty air to the creaking of wooden boats, every detail is meticulously crafted, transporting readers into a world where the ocean's vastness mirrors the depths of the human soul. The characters in The Moby-Dick Blues are complex and multi-dimensional, each carrying their own burdens and desires. Strelow expertly explores themes of obsession, redemption, and the eternal quest for meaning through his characters' journeys. The protagonist's internal struggle with his own demons mirrors Captain Ahab's pursuit of the great white whale, creating a thought-provoking parallel that adds depth and resonance to the narrative. Strelow's prose is poetic and evocative, effortlessly capturing the essence of the sea and its timeless allure. His writing style is both accessible and rich, striking a perfect balance between lyrical passages and fast-paced action. The author's deep understanding of Herman Melville's original work shines through, as he seamlessly integrates references and allusions that pay homage to Moby-Dick without overshadowing his own narrative. The Moby-Dick Blues is not a book to be rushed through; it demands to be savored and contemplated. Strelow's exploration of the human condition and the eternal battle between man and nature is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. This novel is a testament to the enduring power of great literature and its ability to inspire new stories that stand on their own merits. In conclusion, The Moby-Dick Blues is a captivating and beautifully written novel that will appeal to both fans of classic literature and contemporary fiction. Michael Strelow's ability to seamlessly blend two narratives into a cohesive and compelling whole is a testament to his skill as a storyteller. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience. ~ Isaac Miller (Educator), NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Amazing novel! Fans of historical fiction mixed with a bit of fact and with modern-day characters with familiar problems and weaves them together in a fascinating mix. Highly recommend! ~ Autumn Turner (Reviewer) , NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. An unexpected protagonist in a beautifully orchestrated story. You'll fall in love with some characters, and hate others. This book draws you in and doesn't let go. ~ Raychel Sullins (Reviewer), NetGalley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Just a warning - parts of this story will tug at your heart strings. The way Arvin is treated by his family is nothing short of horrid. The discovery of the manuscript is both a blessing and a curse - it can help Arvin escape, but people are willing to kill for it. Switching between Throne and Arvin we get two unique perspectives on the manuscript and on Arvin's family life. Greed, financial struggles, a need to escape and the literary find of the century combine for a captivating story. ~ Liliyana Shadowlyn (Reviewer) , NetGalley

What an amazing experience The Moby Dick Blues is for the reader. Michael Strelow offers a character-driven commentary on how we look at people, as well as how people see themselves. The main character, Arvin, is complex and layered but so clear-voiced. The Moby Dick Blues twists and turns and does not disappoint. I could definitely see this novel as a splendid selection for a book discussion group, and I offer kudos to the studio that obtains film rights. ~ Janet Kinsella, NetGalley

The emotional tugs of this powerful novel run from heart breaking to comedic with a great historical punch to boot. ~ Rachel Smart, NetGalley

Michael Strelow brings us an excellent who-done-it, peopled with folks easily understood and excellent peeks into both Newport, Oregon on the Pacific coast and the Massachusetts Atlantic coast. I very much enjoyed both the mystery and the history in this novel. Herman Melville's original manuscript of Moby Dick plays a large role in this novel and there are insights and corrections to the manuscript that alter the focus of the that novel about the great white whale. Strelow can have you laughing at the darndest things one minute and often in tears as well, ~ Bonnye Reed Fry , NetGalley

Lyrical, poignant, intellectual, and visceral, The Moby-Dick Blues is a well-crafted tale likely to resonate with Melville fans and beyond. ~ Peter Dabbene, Foreword Reviews

Whether you have read Moby-Dick or not, this novel is an entertaining foray into the world of literary discoveries and the minds of those involved in them. ~ Barbara Scott-Emmett , NetGalley

Great novel about a priceless manuscript and a young man who lacks value to his family. ~ Nancy Mijangos (Librarian), NetGalley

From book jacket to first novel, The Greening of Ben Brown. "Michael Strelow has given Northwest Readers an amazing fable for our time and place featuring Ben Brown, a utility lineman who transforms into th Green Man following an industrial accident. Eco-hero and prophet the Green Man heads a cast of wonderful and zany characters who fixate over sundry items from filberts to hubcaps...Fascinating, humorous and wise, The Greening of Ben Brown deserves its place on bookshelves along with other Northwest classics. Craig Lesley, author of Storm Rider Dec 27, 2017: Scott Nadelson | author of Between You and Me If Saul Bellow had written science fiction, it might read like Michael Strelow’s Some Assembly Required: erudite and allusive, delighting in language, but also wildly funny and entertaining. A page-turning meditation on the multiplicity of voices each of us carries—those we use to reach out to others, those that exist only in our heads—this novel illuminates the beautiful and mysterious transformation that occurs when we listen carefully, turning all the noise that surrounds us into harmony. ~ Craig Lesley , blurb for novel, The Greening of Ben Brown

If, like me, you are ready for a literary read, I would recommend The Moby-Dick Blues by Michael Strelow. The book brought to mind the first time I took on the challenge of reading Melville's classic. The book also works well as a model of characterization and reaches back to my love of literature. All in all, this title worked very well for me. ~ JD DeHart, NetGalley

I had discovered the one secret thing that I could know and the rest of the family could not” is the dream of any child at sea in a big family, and the narrator who begins this book has his talisman to hold and study and live by. What he has, and what we have, is a book before it was a book, and that makes life a thrill and a mystery. If a box of manuscript pages were a whale, and the rainy fastness of the Oregon coast were the sea, then the reader of this book would be in the grips of the Ahab writer of this book, bound for a quest. The pages of The Moby-Dick Blues are like a veil through which the reader may pass between the incantations of Melville and the songs of Strelow. Read and be carried away. ~ Kim Stafford, author of 100 Tricks Every Boy Can Do: How My Brother Disappeared

I loved this story. It is such a book lovers book as it shows the power a story and particularly classic novels can have. The characters are well developed and I didn't want to finish the story as i didn't want to leave the world! Highly recommended. ~ Louise Mackin , GoodReads

... The pages of The Moby-Dick Blues are like a veil through which the reader may pass between the incantations of Melville and the songs of Strelow. Read and be carried away. ~ Kim Stafford, author of 100 Tricks Every Boy Can Do: How My Brother Disappeared