not many fictional narrators have made me feel like I'm stuck in an endless conversation with a stranger who's having a manic episode quite as much as ishmael does. really every page is like wow that's. that's great man I'm-- yeah no I see you've read a lot about whales-- oh wow. yeah that's. you know I'm not sure any of your coworkers act the way they do because of their race, I mean I haven't met them, that's just-- uh huh-- oh that's. uh huh. and queequeg is your husband? that's nice. oh. not like... he's not your husband? you're married but he's... okay. look man I kind of have to go but-- polar bears are scary, yes. uh huh. becau-- because they're white? I mean, I think they're scary because they're huge and known to hunt humans when they get a chance, I don't think white animals are like, universally scary. I'm-- oh. haha yes that's. that's a funny pun. yeah. yeah no I got it. right haha yes no I understood you don't have to explain-- no really I did understand the joke it was funny I promise-- yes I know you think whales are cool