Eye of the Whale

by Douglas Carlton Abrams

Filled with “breathtaking scenes” and “vivid” (Publishers Weekly) imagery, national bestselling author Douglas Carlton Abrams’s riveting ecological thriller blends shockingly true facts with a powerful narrative that pulls readers into a dangerous race through a majestic and mysterious world.Dedicated scientist Elizabeth McKay has spent almost a decade cracking the code of humpback whale communication. Their song, the most complex in nature, may in fact reveal unimaginable secrets about the animal world. When a humpback whale swims up the Sacramento River with a strange and unprecedented song, Elizabeth must decipher its meaning in order to save the whale and ultimately much more. But as her work captures the media’s interest, powerful forces emerge to stop her from revealing the animal’s secrets. Soon, Elizabeth is forced to decide if her discoveries are worth losing her marriage, her career, and possibly her life. Working closely with leading scientists for his extensive research into humpback whales and the harrowing ecological challenges they face today, national bestselling author Douglas Carlton Abrams has created a unique and timeless story that will transform readers and their relationship with the fragile world in which we live.

Genres: Fiction, Animals, Nature, Mystery, Thriller, Adventure, Mystery Thriller

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Nour Allam · Rating 4 out of 5]

كتابي ال (28) لعام 2018😍

غلافها الجميل هو ما جعلني أقرأها، واكتشفت أن ما داخل الكتاب أجمل بمئة مرة من غلافه❤
الكثير والكثير من القصص والقضايا تناقشها هذه الرواية: التلوّث، الذي بات يهدد عالمنا بشكل كبير ومن الممكن أن يؤدي إلى انقراض الكثير من الكائنات الحية ومن بينها الإنسان!! التضحية، أمِنَ الممكن أن يضحي الإنسان بنفسه لينقذ حياة أخرى؟؟ خاصة إن كانت الحياة الأخرى تخصّ حيتاناً لا بشر. الحب، الفساد، ....
اليزابيث عالمة الأحياء المائية سوف تفعل الكثير من أجل إنقاذ أبولو وكل حوت حيّ فهل ستسطيع مع كل المعارضة ومحاولات قتلها لعدم فضح الحقيقة... هي قصة ايمان وحب، فلنستفد منها جميعنا💕

التقييم:
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 نجوم، رواية قوية تجعلنا ننظر إلى الأمور من زاوية مختلفة.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been describing this book as an ecological thriller when people ask me what it's about. There's environmentalism, science, suspense, espionage, violence, love, jealousy. It's not an amazing work of literature by any means. There's no beautiful prose, no compelling characters, and it's a rather jumpy reading experience when it comes to pov--more suited to film than a book, I think. BUT if you're at all interested in the effect of man-made chemicals on the health of sea life and human life, it's worth a read. I imagine that this book could have easily been non-fiction, but then people like me would never have picked it up.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING story!!!! I was interested in this novel because the main character was a doctorate student researching whale communication. Whales are one of my favorite creatures on our planet. I was not prepared for the kind of intense drama that unfolded in the context of whale research. There were whalers and the whaling industry at play, ruthless stakeholders in chemical companies, as well as a number of examples of human corruption -- or what I would call, "when people turn to the dark side of the force."

This book is another reminder of what is at stake if we do not make the major changes to our environment that we've all been hearing about and talking about. If you were on the fence yesterday, I think after reading this book, you will realize that today is the day to make that commitment.

[Nikoleta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Το τραγούδι της φάλαινας είναι ένα βιβλίο με κάποιες σκηνές σκληρές αλλά γεμάτο ευαισθησίες νοηματικά. Παρ’ όλο που ο συγγραφέας είχε πάμπολλες επιστημονικές πληροφορίες για τις φάλαινες και όχι μόνο, κατάφερε να τις ενσωματώσει στην ιστορία χωρίς να φανούν ούτε ξεκάρφωτες ούτε να γίνουν κουραστικές. Καλή περιπέτεια, αρκετή δράση, οικολογική υπόθεση και πολλές σηγκινητικές στιγμές. Στα αρνητικά μόνο μια λιιιιγο παραπάνω φλυαρία απο τον Abrams που με έκανε να πηδάω κάποιες σειρές.

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth is married, but spends much of her time away, researching for her thesis on whales. She is studying whale communication. When she is the first to notice a different song amongst the whales, something appears to be very wrong. But, she needs to head home to California. With trouble brewing with her husband and at the university with regards to her thesis, Apollo, a whale, races too close to shore, but won’t leave. When she tries to help get him back to the ocean, she becomes a target...

I really enjoyed this! I love animals and am interested in environmental topics, and this has a definite environmental focus, as well. There are short chapters, introduced by location and time, so you know this is time-sensitive. There were parts that kept the book a page-turner for me.

[Nathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was horrible. The plot is a mangy hybrid of harlequin romance, guilt-tripping eco-drivel and 'oh-look-how-much-I-know-about-whales' exposition, taped loosely together with the most generic and uninteresting of plots. This is a novel with a message, which is all well and good, but the message is couched in weak writing and delivers itself with all the subtle finesse of a drunken baboon. The resolution is straight out of grade-B animal attack movies (cartoonishly diabolical villain messily devoured by monster shark.) Oops. I didn't just ruin the novel, did I? As if this could be "ruined".

[اليازية خليفة · Rating 4 out of 5]

هذه رواية **تحبس الأنفاس**
مليئة بالمعلومات الصحية والبيئية والأكاديمية، هناك عاطفة جياشة في قلم الروائي، انعكست في الأحداث الاجتماعية للرواية، فأغلب الشخصيات الرئيسة كان عندها أبناء، كما أن ابتدأت القصة بوصف مذهل لعملية ولادة! وختمت بولادة، وفي ذلك رمزية باستمرارية الحياة!

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m giving this book a 4.5 rating. Although a novel it contains facts about pollution and the impact on both humans and animals specifically to this book marine animals. Also the story is an insight to how intelligent some species are particularly humpback whales.

[Cinnamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t prepared for a story so moving when I first picked up EYE OF THE WHALE: A NOVEL by Douglas Carlton Abrams. The premise of the book sounded good and I had a feeling that it would be interesting, but I certainly wasn’t expecting something that would invade my dreams and keep me up at night! EYE OF THE WHALE was a great story about humans and our interaction with the world we live in. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a book that will really engage you and make you think.

Elizabeth is our main heroine in EYE OF THE WHALE. She is a marine biologist and spends a good deal of her time studying humpback whales and more specifically their songs in relation to their behavior. In fact, she spends so much time with her beloved whales that her marriage is falling apart. Desperately wanting to keep her husband Frank by her side, she tries to find a way stay active in both her marriage and her research. When she suddenly discovers that the whale song is changing however, she finds herself drawn down into a mystery that could involve not only the survival of the whales, but also of the human race.

I thought EYE OF THE WHALE was unique and captivating. Throughout the story we follow Elizabeth, Frank, other whale researchers, whalers, and even a Japanese corporation looking to promote whaling and liven up the whale market. While Abrams does write the story with a “save the whales” attitude, it also seemed like he gave us a fairly authentic look into the lives and reasoning behind those who hunt whales. I think that creating a book that was not entirely one-sided in its detail actually encouraged the story to grow and made it more realistic.

One of the main things that had me hooked on EYE OF THE WHALE was how Abrams brought the whales to life. There are sections of the book where we actually become the whales and see the world through their eyes. While the story didn’t necessarily incorporate the element of magic, I think that becoming one with the whales and taking a peek into their minds did add that magical touch to the book. It allowed the reader to view things not only from the human side, but also from under the water where the world is completely different.

EYE OF THE WHALE is a wonderfully complex and deep tale. I’ve discovered that often, when a story becomes this involved, the character development might suffer. In my opinion that is not the case here. Each character was wonderfully developed, creating additional depth in the story and rounding it out nicely. Outside of the main plot, we get to learn each main character’s hopes and dreams, the motivation behind their actions, and what has helped to shape them into the person that they are. Great characters really help to make a book real and keep me engaged; Abrams aced this.

Lastly, for me, the mark of a truly great author is the ability to draw an emotion out of me simply with some words set on a piece of paper. There were times when the tension in the book had me on the edge of my seat. There were other times when I was so captivated with the moving details of the story that an hour would go by and I wouldn’t even realize it. Tender moments, devastating ones; they were all within the story. Abrams is a truly wonderful writer who knows just what to do to shape that finicky thing we call emotion.

As I mentioned earlier, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something to make you think or make you feel. I think that animal lovers should really love EYE OF THE WHALE as well as Romance fans. Although romance is not the main characteristic of EYE OF THE WHALE, it is there and adds that delicious touch to an already great story.

[Mishel Forte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth McKay, a marine biologist, is currently working on her PhD thesis. She plans on discussing humpback whale communication and how their songs relate to their behavior. The passion she has for the whales she studies is clearly expressed in Abrams writing. She's so deep into her research that her personal life along with her marriage is starting to fail. And it doesn't help when Elizabeth discovers an impossible change in the whale's song from a humpack that swims up the Sacramento River. She finds herself quickly dragged into a mystery that will not only affect the whale population, but even the human race.

Elizabeth was a very likeable character. I can understand an all consuming passion that takes over someone. She desperately needs to get her dissertation done. She needs to find the time and energy to bring her marriage back from the brink of divorce. Elizabeth is very strong-willed, intelligent, and bold. Other times she can be very cautious. I think she was developed nicely along with many of the other characters.

Her husband, Frank is easy to sympathize with. There are other whale researchers and even whalers that are important to Elizabeth and her story that Abrams reveals enough personality and background information to thorghouly satisfy me. Not only do they have to race against the clock to save this stranded whale, but they have to fight off a Japanese corporation that aims to promote whaling and make whale meat and international delicacy.

The research that Abrams did for this novel had to be extensive. I can't help but think how much of an adventure it was to research humpback whales. If you visit Abrams' website you can see some pictures he took and more info on the type of research he conducted. And while I appreciate the research that was woven into each chapter, I found the end lacking something. The beginning of the novel started out so strongly, but after closing the book I felt a tad bit disappointed. The writing didn't change and the ending was done fine, I just felt somewhere Abrams lost his momentum. But I can overlook that because overall I really enjoyed EYE OF THE WHALE. I think it's found a permanent home on my bookshelf.

And while I'm all for animal rights and against whaling myself, I didn't feel this was "preachy" at all. The environmental issues brought up in the book were extremely thought-provoking but I don't think they will make people uncomfortable. I know and understand how some are not comfortable with the issues that the world is facing. Sometimes ecological documentaries and books can be depressing and upsetting while they are nothing but the truth. But Abrams was able to weave the horrid facts of the world with a fiction story that will sure to stay with you after reading.

I think this book would be a great choice for any animal lover or just a person that wants to feel a little bit more. The emotion set in this novel is pretty amazing. Abrams is able to give us a glimpse into the lives of these whales and give them a "human" presence that I've never read before. The whale scenes were beautifully written and extremely enjoyable.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://greenphillyblog.com/2009/08/03...

Looking for a capturing read that you can’t put down?

No, I’m not talking about the Twilight series. I’ve been recommending Eye of the Whale by Douglas Carlton Abrams to many friends and family members.

The story follows Elizabeth McKay, a marine biologist who is finishing her PHD program with a thesis of cracking humpback whale communication. When a humpback swims up the Sacramento River with an unprecedented song, the clock starts ticking as Elizabeth must save the whale from danger. But as her journey to free this whale progresses, she starts catching the media and world’s attention… including opponents who are trying to cover up many dangerous secrets from Elizabeth and the world. Quickly, Elizabeth finds herself in danger, jeopardizing her marriage, her career – and even her life.

An ecological thriller, Abrams does an excellent job bringing in environmental issues into this fact-fictional novel without pushing issues or turning off the reader. In writing Eye of the Whale, Abrams worked closely with leading scientists and did extensive research on the shockingly true facts on which it is based. (When you read the chapter of Elizabeth visiting a college lecture, you have a completely interesting perspective of every product you use in your everyday life.) Having just visited Japan in spring of this year, I was quite interested with Eye of the Whale’s connection to this country. Abrams also gives an excellent argument consider for anyone who doubts contributing to the environmental movement, and why they should care about what we’re currently putting into the oceans, land and bodies.

I’d recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn about the environment with entertainment (without the feeling of a documentary or textbook) or just looking for a different suspense novel. Overall, this captivating story will transform how you see your relationship with animals and the environment – and realize how interconnected and fragile our ecosystem is.

Published by Atria Books, pick up Eye of the Whale when it hits stores tomorrow, August 4. (Hardcover; $25.95; ISBN: 1416532544)

[Noella · Rating 4 out of 5]

De zeebiologe Elisabeth McKay en haar vrienden doen er alles aan om een walvis te redden. Ze willen ook hun waarnemingen en onderzoeksresultaten betreffende de vervuiling van het milieu en de gevolgen hiervan voor mens en dier in de openbaarheid brengen, maar ze worden ernstig tegengewerkt door verschillende partijen die er financieel belang bij hebben dat de waarheid niet aan het licht komt.

Spannend boek, het leert ons veel over de walvissen, en schetst ook in niet mis te verstane bewoordingen de schade die de mens toebrengt aan de natuur.

[Nely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth McKay is a Marine Biologist who is working on completing her PHD with a thesis of deciphering humpback whale communication. These whales’ song, the most complex in nature, may in fact reveal secrets about the animal world that no one could have imagined. When a humpback whale makes its way up the Sacramento River with an unprecedented song, it is up to Elizabeth to save the whale - but little did she know the price of her endeavor. For as the story of the whale starts capturing the media’s attention - it also lands her in danger from forces that do not want the whale’s secrets revealed - that not only threaten her career and marriage - but her life.

Mr. Abrams has really done his homework on this one. I was captivated by this eco-thriller right from the start. Not only are the environmental issues mentioned in the story real - but there is just so much useful information within its pages - that I actually found it to be an educational tool. It really makes you think about our environment and makes you ponder what more can be done to protect our planet and everything in it.

I liked Elizabeth a lot - she was such a great heroine. And I just couldn't help falling in love with the whale as well. There was action that had me on the edge of my seat. This is great for anyone who likes reading about the environment and the issues that our ecosystem faces. This is one that will definitely stay with you long after you are done with it.

[Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel, Eye of the Whale, by Douglas Carlton Abrams is an ambitious book with broad objectives. On one hand, it is a story about a marine biologist entangled in corporate and political struggles regarding a humpback whale that has strayed into the Sacramento River. On the other hand, the novel is a primer on the effects that man-made pollutants are currently having on the oceans and most disturbingly, on the incidences of birth defects and cancer. The novel succeeds handily at both aims.

In his character-driven novel, Abrams builds a convincing stage for his characters, a stage that spans across several far-flung locales. The narrative propels the action with a confidence and ease that is lacking in many thrillers. By crafting his characters with a minimum of introspective dialog, and instead relying on action to define them, Abrams brings them to life without any obvious traces of heavy-handedness. The characters operate with internal logic that is immediately recognizable and does not require any suspension of disbelief to allow them to become vital. The characters have a resonance that stays with the reader, even as the action moves to other locations.
To read the entire review on The Current Reader:
http://thecurrentreader.com/?p=297

[Kani · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fun book! Covering all the latest research of native whalers, Japan whaling initiatives & the mystery of the humpback whale song, this book is a treatise to the importance of whales as planetary ambassadors & eco-warriors. In this version, it is the whale pointing to the evil chemical manufacturer & only a matter of translating what it is the whale knows. How to understand a whale's warning? Our heroine, having studied whale song for most of her career life, figures out how to do just that but has barriers placed by those whose wealth controls access to the area & pulls strings with those in power making the choices about how to handle such an unprecedented situation. Based on actual events, to a degree, this book is an up to date possible scenario as seen through the "eye of the whale"...

[Shomeret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This eco-thriller is a suspenseful page turner with amazing characters. It reminded me of a documentary I saw last year called The Cove dealing with the slaughter of dolphins by a Japanese village because the powers that be did everything they could to intimidate or discredit the people that made that documentary, just as they did with marine biologist Elizabeth McKay, the central character of this novel.

Eye of the Whale is an extremely message driven book. Normally I like my fiction to be more subtle, but given the urgency of the situation for whales and all of humanity, I can understand why the author may feel that he can't afford the luxury of subtlety. Will we have a future? If we don't take warnings like this one seriously, we may not.

[Bailey Meeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has an excellent heroine, strong and smart. The story itself is also excellent. You really feel for the whales, and it's hard not to wonder how we can still hunt them today.

I'm less certain about the conclusions about endocrine disrupters. I suppose I'll have to look into it further. I always hate to take my facts from novels.

As a grad student at UC Davis, the setting for parts of this novel, I had to wonder whether my institution could possibly act the way it does in this novel. I found myself saying " I know where that is!" many times while reading, and found that sensation somewhat unsettling.

But I have never seen a frog with an eye on its tongue. At least, not that I know of!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've loved humpback whales ever since I saw a mother and calf swimming together in the Sámana Bay a few years ago. They were so graceful and beautiful it made me cry. So, the first few chapters of this book were really difficult for me to read and I almost quit. But, eventually I came to realize that this book isn't really about the whales at all. Instead, it is about the destruction we humans are causing on our planet in the name of progress. How we are poisoning everything that lives here, including ourselves. It is a work of fiction, but is all too true. And terrifying. Completely terrifying.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marine biologist working on her dissertation discovers a message that is being carried through the ocean by humpback whales' songs. When an errant whale swims upriver in California, she has to fight to save him as well as bring his message to the rest of humanity.

I picked up this book at the local dollar store, and I really enjoyed it. It's fact based fiction--the author did a great deal of research while writing the book, so much of it feels very real. I raced through the last 100 pages or so because the action was so intense. It made me think about humans' relationship with other species on Earth, and how we need to do better for ourselves, other animals, and our planet.

[Kathleen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that were a little "Lifetime Movie". However, the voices of each character reached out of the pages and drew you in.....I believe in animal communication, so this was not a stretch for me. There were many people in this story and not one was a waste. Gosh, I am so blessed that I love to read. If I didn't I would miss gems like this. Thank you Mr Abrams, keep up the good works.

[Lynda Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing book wrapping the factual problem of man polluting the environment into a fictional account of a scientist's mission to prove language among killer whales. And what those whales have to say about what is happening to their ocean's should make everyone sit up and listen. Let's just say I will NEVER buy another plastic bottle of water!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Being an animal lover and a fiction lover this was the perfect combination. It is a fictional account of a marine biologist versus the Japanese whaling industry. Once you get past the sadness of the first few chapters, it becomes a great read. A page-turner of a different kind. I had to remind myself it was not real. Must read.

[Amber Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Eye of the Whale and thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't remember the last time I stayed up so late to keep reading a novel. So many emotions felt during this page-turning journey. It was beautiful, sad, exciting, and moving. Loved every word. I also truly appreciated the amount of truth and clarity woven in to this important book.

[Wayne Tilden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first part of this novel when it was still posted on BookRix.com. This is a very well-written and researched book. Much of the action took place in the lower Sacramento River Delta region and at University of California at Berkeley. I have lived in both areas, so the familiar geography made it especially interesting to me.

I'm sure you will enjoy this book immensely.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an environmental thriller that has too much truth to it to entirely enjoy. The action keeps the reader turning pages, but the topic caused me to research beyond the novel. Our sea creatures are affected by how we misuse land and water, and they are a kind of "canary in the coal mine" to warn us of probable upcoming environmental disaster.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Growing up in Sacramento and having attended UCDavis, it was cool to read about familiar places. I liked how this book was "fact-based" fiction and really brought attention to the chemicals in our environment and how they are affected us and our children.

[هاجَر · Rating 5 out of 5]

النسخة عربية
إنه رااائع ، أستطيع أن أسميها رواية علمية ، ليست بحتة ، لكنها تجعلنا نصل إلى عدة حقائق و معلومات و أفكار واقعية إلى حدٍ كبير ، المؤلف ذكر أن روايته تستند إلى حقائق علمية ، مما يعطيها قيمة .

[Roger Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fact based fiction story about the consequences of environmental pollution on humans and marine life. Mr. Abrams went to extraordinary lengths to research this suspenseful and very compelling story. Well developed lead characters and a good plot made this a real 'page turner' for me.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great research throughout this page-turner. The end was a little Indiana-Jones like, but I enjoyed the main premise of the book, its characters, and message. Doug Abrams is an author whose writing and descriptions paint the scenes in your mind and you feel yourself drawn in. His books always feel like the escape we are looking for in good books.

[Kailee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so entertaining! It was dramatic and all over the place but I loved it. I really appreciated the author bringing in authentic environmental issues we’re facing. It felt a bit like a telenovela, which I understand can turn some people off, but if you accept that for what it is, you’ll have a good read.