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A review by drj
Baleen by Josephine Croser
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-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
2.75
The illustrations, a series of etchings of the key moments of this story of whales, are beautiful. Sometimes dark and forboding, other times more reflective.
But the text and the story and weak. The book’s story is a battle between two whales, and explains the great split in the two groups of whales: the baleen whales of the title, and the toothed wales (although it is an entirely non-scientific fictional explanation).
A commendable appendix, only slightly dated, has lot of fun facts about both groups of whale and a small amount about krill; good scale pictures.
But the text and the story and weak. The book’s story is a battle between two whales, and explains the great split in the two groups of whales: the baleen whales of the title, and the toothed wales (although it is an entirely non-scientific fictional explanation).
A commendable appendix, only slightly dated, has lot of fun facts about both groups of whale and a small amount about krill; good scale pictures.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence