A Fugitive Comment on Melville and The Confidence-Man

Abstract

THE Confidence-Man: His Masquerade proved to be Herman Melville’s last novel. Published in 1857 during its author’s lengthy trip to the Levant, the novel, at best, puzzled readers, at worst, it angered them. At the time of publication, the book received only a handful of reviews and notices, none of which can be considered favourable. In subsequent years, Melville would be remembered for his great early successes as a novelist of the sea, but almost never for such later works as Pierre, The Piazza Tales, or The Confidence-Man. A rare exception, however, occurs in the following paragraph, published on the first page of the 21 May 1874 issue of the (Troy) Weekly Kansas Chief. Herman Melville has sunk into oblivion in the custom-house, where he performs routine duties, and has no further creative capacity. No man was ever more uneven in his performances. His first two books of travel and adventure Typee and Amoo [sic], are among the best kind printed; while later volumes were far below mediocrity. His Confidence Man is one of the stupidest books published in this generation. It has not a single redeeming trait, and it is a marvel that a mind not positively imbecile could have produced such trash.