Meh. I got it as part of a Humble Bundle fantasy promotion, and although I quite liked Jane Yolen's Pit Dragon books when I was in middle school, this felt a bit like a Message book, in which a young reader is encouraged to work through the death of a parent while also being introduce to Moby Dick. Props for casting shade on Ishmael as someone who never quits talking and can't get to the point, though.

Quite good illustrations, though, and I liked the Very Good Dog.