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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
reflective
medium-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
I didn't particularly care for the 1st third of the book. In creating a picture of decadence, it was many pages of smarmy details that I was getting tired of reading.
Once the war started, I became engrossed in the story. The writing style is definitely captivating, more on a 4 or 5 star level.
CCs: homosexual relationships, language, sexual encounters between characters
Once the war started, I became engrossed in the story. The writing style is definitely captivating, more on a 4 or 5 star level.
CCs: homosexual relationships, language, sexual encounters between characters
First half of the book was very slow paced, and I would’ve given up on it but I was intrigued by the blurb on the back. Second half was better, but didn’t entirely make up for the 300+ pages I had to wade through to get there. Like many books, I think it’s about 100 pages too long. The story itself was interesting, and I found the side characters to be the most intriguing.
Engaging coming of age story where we follow the Seagrave children from their manor home, Chilcombe, starting in 1919 to the end of WW2.
I really liked this story. The writing was beyond beautiful. The main characters were very well written, I enjoyed each of their stories. Where I think this book really excelled though was in its side characters. They were all so different but came together to be a found family for these children that helped them get through the perils of war.
It was a little jarring to go from the Cristabel, Flossie, and Digby being children at Chilcombe to then being caught up in the intrigue of WW2 as young adults. It could have really felt like two books in one but I think the author pulled it off beautifully.
I highly recommend this book. If you enjoy atmospheric writing about times of peril, coming of age, love, family, found family, intrigue, compassion, or lost innocence, then this is the book for you.
I really liked this story. The writing was beyond beautiful. The main characters were very well written, I enjoyed each of their stories. Where I think this book really excelled though was in its side characters. They were all so different but came together to be a found family for these children that helped them get through the perils of war.
It was a little jarring to go from the Cristabel, Flossie, and Digby being children at Chilcombe to then being caught up in the intrigue of WW2 as young adults. It could have really felt like two books in one but I think the author pulled it off beautifully.
I highly recommend this book. If you enjoy atmospheric writing about times of peril, coming of age, love, family, found family, intrigue, compassion, or lost innocence, then this is the book for you.
Not my favorite historical fiction novel but an ok read. The Whalebone Theater follows Cristabel, half-sister Flossie and cousin Digby from childhood to early adulthood and their service in World War II.
As a child, Cristabel declares a dead beached whale as her own in which to put on plays. Her siblings and the community take part in these plays while her step-mother dismisses them.
Often times a slow read, I did enjoy the story. There are definitely sad and heartbreaking parts but also lessons of life and how the theater plays a role.
As a child, Cristabel declares a dead beached whale as her own in which to put on plays. Her siblings and the community take part in these plays while her step-mother dismisses them.
Often times a slow read, I did enjoy the story. There are definitely sad and heartbreaking parts but also lessons of life and how the theater plays a role.
3.5 stars. I don't really know how to rate this book. It was okay but it felt like it just kept going on and on and I wanted it to be over already. A lot of the spy/resistance stuff, especially with Cristabel, was confusing. How did she know what to do, when to do it, what story to tell, where to go, etc.? Was it deliberately vague because the reader was supposed to just know, or not know? I also felt like some of the characters who were so important in the beginning were just dropped or barely mentioned later (Willoughby, Taras, Hans). Just kind of meh about the whole thing.
I loved this book. The chaotic upbringing of the children was emblematic of the Roaring Twenties, and really framed the onset of WWII and the roles the children played. I did pick this up on purpose because it was about a whale, to go with my little Moby Dick theme. I was happy to see a few Moby Dick references throughout!
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No