Reviews

Whale Fall by Elizabeth O'Connor

nastia_che's review against another edition

reflective relaxing sad 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? Yes

4.25

morethanmylupus's review

3.0

If I could go back, I'd approach this book as more of a slow commentary on the way outsiders can influence a society in subtle and less of a story with a clear and dramatic outcome of these outsiders. I kept waiting for some big things to occur and nothing ever did, but the beauty of the book was in the small, insidious ways that the outsiders coming to observe changed the way people on the island interacted with each other and behaved in general. Like a literary fiction novel, there isn't a huge resolution here, but you're left with a feeling of loss in the way the culture is disappearing.

I read somewhere that the author's own grandparents came from small, depopulated islands in Wales and Ireland, so it makes sense that she situated the story in Wales. Yet, I couldn't help but think about how much deeper the impact of anthropologists and other outsiders has been on more isolated cultures with completely different traditions, languages, etc. Still, if depopulated islands in the British Isles are of particular interest to you, this is worth a read.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

phoenix2's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Whale Fall is a short read about a coming of age story.

The book has an odd narration, but, once you get used to it and know who's who, the story unfolds smoothly.

The book deals with many themes, womanhood, cultural inheritance, classism, coming of age, family matters, social criticism and more. It also kind of reminded me of my social anthropology studies, when the professors were telling us again and again how the first anthropologists were using their power to write how inferior the other civilizations were and how we should not fall in the same pitfall. And the couple of researchers were a stellar example of these anthropologists. 

Also, it was interesting to read about our main character, as the author does an amazing job creating a believable teenage character that goes through big character development in such a short length.

lottie1803's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

happyknitter2020's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Absolutely stunning, the writing style is beautifully soothing, feels like the rythmn of waves coming forward & dropping back in your mind.

I already know that I will remember the experiences of being exploited by people who don't have any understanding or empathy for the community on the island.

So many books have recently  been written about an isolated  community living on a island being exploited by brief visitors. This & 'Clear' are definitely my favourites.

Thanks to publisher & Netgalley for the pre publication arc.

chriscrane87's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

mbookishbanter's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

annaavian's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

"Whale Fall" by Elizabeth O'Connor presents a melancholic tale set against the backdrop of a remote and harsh island. The narrative follows Manod, a young islander who becomes entangled with two English ethnographers studying the island's way of life for a forthcoming publication. 

O'Connor's prose, while contemplative and vivid, struggles to maintain a cohesive narrative thread, resulting in a fractured storyline. The plot lacks substantial depth, failing to fully engage the reader throughout. The island itself is depicted as both stunningly beautiful and perilously remote—a fitting metaphor for the characters' isolated existences.

Manod's initial fascination with the scholars' exotic perspectives quickly gives way to disillusionment as their research methods prioritize aesthetics over accuracy. As rumors of war stir on the mainland, the islanders face a precarious future, torn between tradition and the allure of modernity.

"Whale Fall" skillfully explores the theme of vanishing island lives, but ultimately falls short of captivating the reader with a compelling storyline. O'Connor's descriptive skill vividly captures the island's rugged landscapes and the characters' internal conflicts, yet the novel as a whole lacks the gripping narrative cohesion needed to leave a lasting impact.

heatherleegee's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hillarycopsey's review

4.0

A spare, atmospheric coming-of-age story set on the edge of Europe at the edge of WWII. A sharp critique of the way urban, upper-class people romanticize and exploit rural areas. 

I'm glad I spent time with this. 

Thanks to Netgalley fro the advance copy.