New England in the late nineteenth century was home to a set of high-spirited and ambitious writers who were, for the first time, creating a distinctly American literature. From this close-knit literary society emerged Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne, who were known to be friends. In The Whale: A Love Story, novelist Mark Beauregard explores the boundaries of this friendship.

Through a nuanced reading of Melville’s real letters and other original sources, Beauregard offers the fictionalized story of two men who shared a deep, emotionally charged bond that may have transformed the writing—and meaning—of Moby-Dick. Scholars, academics, and essayists have written about Melville and Hawthorne’s relationship, trying to suss out what may have really happened between them.

Mark's events:

Wednesday, June 22 @ 6:00PM / Talk, Q&A, and Signing THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES 115 Derby Street Salem, MA 01970

Thursday, June 23 @ 4:00PM / Author-led tour of Herman Melville’s home BERKSHIRE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT ARROWHEAD 780 Holmes Road Pittsfield, MA 01201

Thursday, June 23 @ 7:00PM / Talk, Q&A, and Signing THE BOOKSTORE 11 Housatonic St. Lenox, MA 02140

Friday, June 24 @ 7:00PM / In Conversation with editor Carole Desanti, Q&A, and Signing ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP 9 College St. South Hadley, MA 01074

Saturday, June 25 @ 11AM / Talk, Q&A, and Signing MARKETBLOCK BOOKS 290 River St. Troy, NY 12180