The short stories of Herman Melville are considered today to be among the small masterpieces of American fiction. Billy Budd, Melville's posthumously published novella, is a classic tale of innocence, evil, and murder that depicts the rivalry between a simple, handsome young sailor and a demonic superior. Bartleby is the subtly comic tale of an apathetic scrivener, and Benito Cereno is the story of a Spanish sea captain caught up in a slave revolt on his ship. Included in this volume are The Piazza Tales as well as "The Town-Ho's Story," a chapter from Moby-Dick. By turns haunting and comic, and always compelling, these fine stories convey the diversity and grandeur of Melville's talent as well as the depth of his themes. In her new introduction, Joyce Carol Oates lends her critical genius to our understanding of this great writer of the sea, illuminating his unique narrative style and the enduring influence of his work on our literary tradition.
