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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I’m still thinking about this novel. (June 3rd) I loved the beginning of the story with the theater on the beach and then how these children from Chilicombe had to grow up so quickly to go and serve in the war. One as a land girl and the other two as spies.
An utterly spellbinding novel, set between the 1920s and the end of WW2, which tells the story of the Seagrave family mainly through the eyes of three (almost) siblings, Cristabel, Flossie AKA Veg and Digby. Mainly ignored by the adults in their life they forge strong bonds, seek out adventures and attempt to make sense of the world and their place in it but as the world darkens towards war change is coming and life at Chilcombe will never be the same. This is a long novel (over 500 pages) and it takes it's time to tell it's story but I loved spending my time amongst the pages, watching the story slowly unfold and experience the joys and pains along side the characters. And what a wonderful cast of characters, spunky Christobel, dreamy Flossie, loveable Digby and all the others that wash up on the shore, much like the titular whale. There is everything in this book, humour, romance, drama and heartbreak and some absolutely wonderful writing. If you enjoy an engrossing family saga, a dramatic coming of age novel or just a really good read then this is the book for you.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Excellent. Just prep that it is long.
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Whalebone Theatre is a family saga that starts at the end of the First World War and finishes at the end of the Second World War. This is beautifully written by someone who knows and loves Dorset and has done extensive research. Having said that, I felt the first quarter of the book needed serious editing as I came close to giving up at around page 100 or so. I’m so glad that I didn’t! The second part of the book about preparations for war and the war itself was excellent.
Well worth reading.
Well worth reading.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book begins with a four-year-old girl in 1920 and follows her and her siblings through WWII. The writing is superb and the story is terrific.