Benito Cereno

Herman Melville

⏱ 9 minAmerican classic

A trusting American captain boards a mysteriously disordered Spanish slave-ship to offer help, and all through a dread-soaked day fails to see the terrible truth its masquerade conceals: the slaves have risen and are forcing the terrified captain to play his part. Melville's chilling novella of slavery and blindness.

Listen to the whole of Benito Cereno in about 9 minutes — professionally narrated, with Apple-Music-style synced subtitles. One book free every day; Folio Premium unlocks the entire library.