Enact novel about great creature like Moby-Dick (8)
I believe the answer is:
cetacean
'creature like moby-dick' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'enact novel about great' is the wordplay.
'novel' indicates an anagram (letters in a new or novel order).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'great' becomes 'ace' (both can mean a talented person).
'enact' with letters rearranged gives 'cetan'.
'cetan' enclosing 'ace' is 'CETACEAN'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cetacean that I've seen before include "Animal order including whales and dolphins" , "Generic name for whale, dolphin or porpoise" , "One swimming" , "Encase cat with mammals like whales and dolphins" , "Member of the animal order containing whales and dolphins" .)