Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

BOSTON -- The battle over whether to name "Moby-Dick" the official book of Massachusetts was almost as intense as the deadly confrontation between Capt. Ahab's crew and the elusive white whale.

The state House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill naming Herman Melville's classic the official "epic novel" of Massachusetts after some lawmakers wondered whether it should be named the official book, given the state's rich literary history.

Rep. Cory Atkins tells The Boston Globe she questioned why Melville should get the honor and not Nathaniel Hawthorne or Louisa May Alcott.

Rep. Christopher Speranzo sponsored the bill at the urging of elementary school students in his Berkshires district. Melville wrote the book in Pittsfield.

The bill needs to pass the Senate and get the governor's signature.

-- The Associated Press

 Tags  Boston Massachusetts

Comments

Elizabeth said:

LOL @ the idea of "The Scarlet Letter" maybe being Mass.'s official book instead. And "Little Women" is a bit lightweight compared to the other two, don't you think?

What about Emerson or Thoreau? John Updike? Etc.

This is kind of a stupid thing for the Mass. legislature to be arguing about.

Link | October 10, 2008 4:05 PM
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