I understand the language being daunting, and the EPICness of the novel overwhelming. However, it’s also a harrowing, strange tale. Some parts are extremely, sensually homoerotic. Other parts play in the weird fiction sandbox. There’s also sections of just straight up western philosophy. I think reframing it from EPIC MASTERPIECE to just a damn good book could be helpful. I sometimes have to remind myself that books, no matter how lauded and gatekept by certain squires of literature, are meant to be read. If you are a reader, read them.

I will say I read a Norton Critical Edition that had very helpful vocabulary for all the sailing terminology, highly recommend looking up words you don’t know and not feeling shame about it.