I have uploaded an epub of the complete writings of Herman Melville today (which you can find
here), but was not able to decide if his poetry should be included. After the commercial failure of his recent novels, Melville started to publish several volumes of poetry in 1866, which are often regarded as mediocre at best, while others disagree (to name just one, Harold Bloom included Melville’s
Clarel in his book
The Western Canon).
Not being an avid reader of poetry myself, I would like
you to tell me if I should include the five collections of poetry in the epub.
Therefore I have set up a poll. With up to fifteen votes, I will take the result of the poll as a recommendation, with more than that I’ll take it as a binding contract. (You can only vote ‘yea’ or ‘nay’, because I have never understood the common ‘I don’t care’ option: if you don’t care, why would you want to vote?)
But please keep in mind that I’m easily corrupted: if anyone decides to shower me with karma, transfer large amounts of money to one of my offshore accounts, or offer a large harem of almond-eyed sailors, I’ll do what he/she wants. You’ve been warned.
Regards,
pynch.