Does a book need to justify being SFF?

[Swank]

Even The Hunt for Red October is based on Moby Dick.

Totally. Like how The Jerk is based on Beowulf.

 

[paranoid marvin]

@msstice The lone whaler hunting the great big whale. The US navy hunting the great big Russian sub.
No, not the same story, but a good inspiration for a modern sub hunt with a twist.

I suppose you could see Red October as Moby Dick from the whale's perspective. 'Jaws' is most certainly inspired by Moby Dick, with Quint taking the role of Ahab.

 

[THX1138]

I suppose you could see Red October as Moby Dick from the whale's perspective. 'Jaws' is most certainly inspired by Moby Dick, with Quint taking the role of Ahab.

Very much more so, true.