Whale

by Jeremy Lucas

First edition, First printing Book is in Very Good + condition. Boards have a tiny bit of shelf wear. Fore edges have a small amount of wear. Interior is clean and legible. Little remainder man on bottom. Dust Jacket is in Very Good + condition. Tiny bit of shelf wear/rub. Tiniest bit of wear along the edges. Not price clipped. Dust Jacket is covered by Mylar wrapper. Thanks and Enjoy. All-Ways well packaged, All-Ways fast service.

Genres: Fiction

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly good book about the life of a killer whale and all the trials and tribulations it has to encounter as it journeys through the ocean,during the course of its life.

The author has clearly done his research,and knows how to tell a good story.Also depicts the effects of commercial whaling in a sympathetic manner,and how the killer whales raise their young.Kept me engrossed,very well-written.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems like a lot of wild animal-POV novels came out during this era. WHALE is a well-written book, even if it does contain a lot of tropes of the genre, such as the "evil rogue." The author obviously cares a great deal about the effects of whaling, and mentions its cruelties and excesses often.

I did find it a little distracting that this book presents orca whale social life in a way we now know to be incorrect (though, in all fairness, it probably did reflect knowledge at the time it was written.) The orcas in this story live in a nuclear family, although in reality, male orcas are not involved in the raising of their biological offspring. In addition, the orca pod is presented as being organized like a band of horses, with a strong leading male and his mates and juvenile offspring. In actuality, orcas are matriarchial.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable and beautifully written story of the life of Sabre, a killer whale. It's a whole lot of anti-whaling sentiment and ocean-honoring almost-poetry. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the writing.

[Caley Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marvellous and immersive (sorry, bad pun) novel about life and death in the North Atlantic and humanity’s arrogance and cruelty. Lucas’s poetic prose makes this story told from the perspective of orcas feel so realistic and is a joy to read. Unfortunately, the depiction of orca pods/society as patriarchal instead of matriarchal was just too inaccurate for me. If you enjoyed Beyond The Human Realm, Under the Sea Wind, and ecofiction like Brilliant White Peaks and Silverwing, you’ll love this though!

[Douglas Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fictionalized story depicting the life an orca whale from his birth to adulthood. Lucas shows how the Orca pod nurtures the young and their relationship with each other. Engrossing and well written.

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was given a copy of this book by my dad as he used to read it to my brother and me when we were children. Nostalgia drew me in.
For it’s time (published 1981 - written, who knows how long before that), it’s a very engaging novel. Obviously we now know that Orcas are matriarchal societies and males are never exiled from pods, but this was enjoyable non the less. It DID have me in tears and lumps in my throat at several key events! Definitely would read again!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story told in a very beautiful and poetic writing style. A tale of an orca's journey. There are many small details that are not accurate to orca whale behaviour, but this is still a great novel and a must read for any animal or cetacean fan.

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it at the 'tender' age of 15, it blow me away then in the early 80's. Its deep and beautifully descriptive narration still remains as alluring today as it did then. A book ahead of its time, most certainly one for the new Blackfish era.