#21 in Short stories
Bartleby, the Scrivener
- 68
- Pages
- about 1 h
- Reading time
- Film 2001
- On screen
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About the book
"Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street" is a short story by American writer Herman Melville, first serialized anonymously in two parts in the November and December 1853 issues of Putnam's Magazine and reprinted with minor textual alterations in his The Piazza Tales in 1856. In the story, a Wall Street lawyer hires a new clerk, who, after an initial bout of hard work, refuses to make copies or do any other task required of him, responding to any request with the words "I would prefer not to."
On screen
This book has been adapted for the screen once.
- FilmBartlebyIMDb
Adaptation data: Wikidata · On screen →
Where the score comes from
The sources average 7.9 across 228 ratings — not yet many, so the reader vote carries 55% of the weight and the rest pulls toward the Short stories average of 7.8. That is how 7.9 comes out.
| Source | Average | Ratings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Library | 8.1 | 32 | 14% |
| Hardcover | 7.9 | 196 | 86% |
Reader voices
The most-liked reviews on Hardcover (credited to their authors).
“The first part of this classic story was lighthearted, even Dickensian funny. But, after the first moment titular Bartleby opens his mouth, things grow serious, exasperating, and downright gloomy. Also in a Dickensian way. But this is not a Dickens story. Not at all. What are we to make of Bartleby? This employee who won't do as he's asked. (Actually, he's a contract laborer so that means he's being asked to do non-paying work.) And although he's courteously asked, we all know when the man who pays “asks” you to do something, it's hardly optional to say that you would prefer not to. Yet Bartl…”
Frequently asked
What is Bartleby, the Scrivener rated?
7.9 out of 10, from 228 reader ratings across 2 independent sources.
Is Bartleby, the Scrivener worth reading?
Readers give it 7.9/10 from 228 ratings, which puts it ahead of 62 % of the Short stories shelf.
How long does it take to read Bartleby, the Scrivener?
About 1 hours at an average reading pace — 68 pages.
Where does Bartleby, the Scrivener rank?
#21 in Short stories on the current snapshot.
Has the book Bartleby, the Scrivener been adapted for the screen?
Yes — Bartleby (2001).
How long is Bartleby, the Scrivener?
It has 68 pages — shorter than 90% of the ranked books in Short stories.
If you liked this
The same shelf — Short stories — and a score of 7.9, the closest to this book.
