Moby-Dick is without a doubt one of the greatest works of American literature — but, being intimidatingly long and detailed, it is not read as widely as it should be. However, if you’ve been putting off the Great White Whale since you shirked the reading in college, you’re in luck — author Philip Hoare and artist Angela Cockayne have put together Moby-Dick Big Read, an incredible and ambitious project to bring Melville’s novel to the masses.
For the project, famous figures like Tilda Swinton, John Waters, China Miéville, Benedict Cumberbatch and even UK Prime Minister David Cameron will read sections of the novel aloud to be posted online, creating a delightfully patchwork audiobook. The project will post one new chapter per day — so welcome to your new morning ritual for the next 135 days — along with complementary artwork from a variety of contemporary artists. We can’t think of a more painless (or more exciting) way to read a classic. The Moby-Dick Big Read officially launches tomorrow, but you can already listen to the first chapter, read by Tilda Swinton and featuring artwork by Marcus Harvey, here. Will you be listening? [via The Guardian ]