Moby-Dick project goes swimmingly thanks to positive public response

Thousands of people from across the globe have taken the plunge for an ambitious literary project which aims to introduce a global classic to a new generation of fans. The Moby-Dick Big Read was launched on Sunday at the Plymouth International Book Festival with a live reading by renowned actor Simon Callow. Already more than 100,000 hits have been received on the project’s website, while it currently sits in the top 10 US podcasts on the Apple iTunes Store. Sarah Chapman, Director of Peninsula Arts at Plymouth University, which is hosting the project, said: “It is fantastic to see this new version of Moby-Dick is already attracting such a significant following, not only in the UK but internationally. Simon Callow’s live reading at the Plymouth International Book Festival showed the level of enthusiasm there is for this project, and I am sure that will only build as it continues over the coming months. The Moby-Dick Big Read has been two years in the making, and is the brainchild of award-winning author Philip Hoare, artist in residence at Plymouth University’s Marine Institute, and acclaimed artist Angela Cockayne, from Bath Spa University. It features a cast of celebrity and political figures, including Prime Minister David Cameron and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, as well as researchers, community leaders and members of the public.