3 Photos
Since 1983, Canio’s Books in Sag Harbor has regularly sponsored community marathon readings of “Moby-Dick,” the classic 1851 whaling novel by Herman Melville. The three-day event is a tradition that began in Sag Harbor even before other famous whaling centers like Mystic Seaport and the New Bedford Whaling Museum began marathons of their own.
August 1 marks the bicentennial of Melville’s birth, and the occasion is prompting the most ambitious Sag Harbor “Moby-Dick” Marathon yet, with even the likes of actor Alec Baldwin scheduled to make an appearance to read aloud from the novel.
The marathon, which runs from Friday, June 7, to Sunday, June 9, begins and ends at Canio’s Books with readings also taking place at other locations throughout Sag Harbor, including the Old Whalers’ Church, the Whaling Museum, John Jermain Memorial Library and the Eastville Community Historical Society. Members of the community interested in reading are encouraged to sign up in advance at Canio’s, while those who are not are encouraged to just come and listen.
“It’s the thing to do, it’s like a literal happening,” said Maryann Calendrille, co-owner of Canio’s Books, in describing the marathon during a recent interview. “It’s an event that brings people together.”
The marathon is also a great way to work through a very long novel. At 206,052 words, it’s admittedly a challenging read for many. However, Ms. Calendrille finds that the classic hits differently when heard by the ears, rather than read by the eyes.
But why Sag Harbor? Because after Nantucket and New Bedford, Sag Harbor was once considered the third capital of the whaling industry in the United States and it owes much of its growth and current character to the whaling era. The village even gets two mentions in “Moby-Dick” and while there is no known proof that Melville ever actually came to Sag Harbor, he certainly knew about its reputation.
Among those inspired by Sag Harbor’s whaling history is artist Robert Carioscia who has created a series of whaling prints which will be exhibited at Canio’s Books throughout marathon weekend. A reception for the exhibition will be held on Thursday, June 6, at 5 p.m. as a warm-up to the marathon.
“Living in Sag Harbor we have this long history of whaling. That memory and history is very integrated into the community,” Mr. Carioscia said, adding that he felt compelled to create the whaling imagery after his second reading of “Moby-Dick.”
“The book is connecting with all kinds of people in different ways,” Ms. Calendrille said. “Art is just another way.”
Ms. Calendrille feels that “Moby-Dick” explores many themes, such as the environment, race, and ethnicity, that still impact the world to this day.
“There are a lot of comparisons in our contemporary situation — our current politics and society,” Ms. Calendrille said.
She offered the example of Captain Ahab, the character who leads the hunt against Moby-Dick out of a need for revenge for leaving him an amputee, as a possible representation of crazed leaders on a mission for their own fame and glory.
“I leave that to the readers’ interpretations,” Ms. Calendrille said.
As an ode to the international crew aboard Melville’s fictional whaling ship, Pequod, throughout the marathon there will be short passages read in German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and other languages.
Each marathon reader will have a time slot of 10 minutes, with the exception of actors Mr. Baldwin and Harris Yulin. On Friday at 3 p.m. at the Old Whalers’ Church, Mr. Baldwin will read three chapters followed by Mr. Harris who will recite the sermon by the character of Father Mapple. Ms. Calendrille hopes that their presence will inspire people to create their own interpretations of the novel.
“[Mr. Baldwin] could probably read the phone book and people would show up,” Ms. Calendrille joked. “He thinks it has merit and he’ll bring fans and people who might not touch ‘Moby-Dick.’”
Mr. Harris will also be bringing a new element to the table as well. During his reading of Father Mapple’s chapter nine sermon to the whalemen, hymns will be performed by the Choral Society of the Hamptons.
Calling this year’s bicentennial of the author’s birth a “party for Melville scholars,” Ms. Calendrille is encouraging all to come out and listen or read the classic passages of his greatest novel.
“We wouldn’t do it if we didn’t think it was a book worth spending time with for three days,” Ms. Calendrille said.
Marathon Schedule
Friday, June 7
12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Canio’s Books, 290 Main Street, Sag Harbor.
3 to 6:45 p.m. Old Whalers’ Church, 44 Union Street, Sag Harbor. Alec Baldwin, Harris Yulin as Father Mapple, plus organist Walter Klauss and Choral Society of the Hamptons sing.
7 to 10 p.m. Canio’s Books. Josh Gladstone as Captain Ahab in chapter 36 and enactment of chapter 40 sailors’ play directed by Bill Burford and Bloodstone Theatrical.
Saturday, June 8
10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Whaling Museum, 200 Main Street, Sag Harbor.
1 to 4:45 p.m. John Jermain Library, 200 Main Street, Sag Harbor.
5 to 11 p.m. Canio’s Books
Sunday, June 9
10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Eastville Community Historical Society, 139 Hampton Street, Sag Harbor.
1 to 5 p.m. Canio’s Books with after party.
To sign up for the reading, contact Canio’s Books at 631-725-4926.
on Jun 3, 2019