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neonzombie7's review against another edition
2.0
never do i read a man vs nature book and root for the man
djlinick's review against another edition
5.0
Phenomenal!
The prose reads like poetry intermixed with technical jargon. The brief chapters make the reading feel like machine fire. The symbolism and theme are rich and deep like the ocean itself.
Incredible! A must read!
The prose reads like poetry intermixed with technical jargon. The brief chapters make the reading feel like machine fire. The symbolism and theme are rich and deep like the ocean itself.
Incredible! A must read!
abbeycutts's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I really enjoyed this until it started hitting me over the head with its themes. THANK YOU, I get that his father is the whale. THANK YOU, I get that he is also the whale. THANK YOU, I understand that the whale is grief and guilt. I also didn't like that the book wants the reader to accept the abuse from Jay's father - Mitt can both be "doing what he could" and still be an abusive asshole.
hmcclure's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tatchy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
baboohaz's review against another edition
4.0
I surprisingly enjoyed this. A story of a boy stuck in a whale who, through his attempts to escape, comes to terms with who his father was. Very short chapters (1-2 pages max) mixed with stories from the characters childhood kept me engrossed to the end.
nova_lumen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tanja_alina_berg's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve tried to start this book several times without success. Now that I am 1) struggling to find anything decent to read and 2) being sad about the passing of my father in law*, the time was right. The book fit my mood and was quite mesmerizing in its odd mixture of melancholy, science and gore.
* I want to die like my father in law. Came into the house, fell over the doorstep and was gone at 89 years old. No protracted illness or suffering.
The protagonist, Jay - or “J” as in Jonah? - in the book has had a falling out with his family, most of all his father. He goes diving and is accidentally eaten by a sperm whale. How to get out before the air runs out? The timelines move between the current predicament and earlier life episodes. Much can be read into it, if you want to go deep.
* I want to die like my father in law. Came into the house, fell over the doorstep and was gone at 89 years old. No protracted illness or suffering.
The protagonist, Jay - or “J” as in Jonah? - in the book has had a falling out with his family, most of all his father. He goes diving and is accidentally eaten by a sperm whale. How to get out before the air runs out? The timelines move between the current predicament and earlier life episodes. Much can be read into it, if you want to go deep.
acpuebla26's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75