Whale Fall - by Elysia Rourke (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Whale, a young orca, dreams of becoming the matriarch and storyteller of her own pod one day, just like her grandmother. But her dream becomes a nightmare when she is captured by the Two-Legs and taken to a sea pen far from her ocean home. At first, angry and scared, Whale can only think of escape and finding her way back to her family. But as the months wear on, and Whale becomes restless and lonely, she finds herself befriending her keeper, Red, named for his bright red fur. Whale starts to look forward to their daily feeding rituals and playtime as they learn to communicate. As time goes on, she even counts on Red's singsong laughter to fill her day.

But just as Whale gets used to life with Red, she is ripped away from the sea pen she's lived in for more than a year. She's taken on a long, painful journey in a container to somewhere new--the suffocating waters of an aquarium. Whale is given a name--Ingrid--and along with whales who don't speak her language, she is made to perform. The grueling work is hard on Whale's body, but if she doesn't perform, she doesn't eat.

Whale's only solace is the memories of her pod and her grandmother's stories of Great Mother and how whales came to be. Whale longs for the promise of Whale Fall, where the Great Mother will at last reunite her with her family--her body becoming one with the ocean. But also she tries to find joy in the here and now and in the comfort of her adopted pod. And, before rest, there is still one unexpected dream that will come true for Whale.

A deeply moving story of family, determination, and hope as a majestic creature weathers the storms of a life in captivity.

Review Quotes

"A heartrending tale that shines a light on the brutal realities of whale captivity...Rourke's passionate, unflinching debut seamlessly weaves fascinating information about orca biology into the narrative...Somber and uncompromising; a stark call to end animal cruelty."--Kirkus Reviews

"Whale Fall is a cyclical tale, and while there is love imbued in the songs and stories Whale possesses... Rourke's narrative is powerful in its demand that readers understand that any orca in captivity will never have a happy ending. Mighty as an orca breaching water and equally as silly in its lighter moments, this debut novel is a solid recommendation for fans of Rosanne Parry and Sara Pennypacker."--Booklist

"Unique and always surprising, Whale Fall is an unflinching tale of captivity and resilience, and the power of stories."--Kenneth Oppel, author of the bestselling Silverwing series.

"Heartbreaking, but unputdownable. Read with a box of tissues. Whale's story doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of animals in captivity, but it is a testament to the power of faith, storytelling, and hope."--Shakirah Bourne, author of Josephine Against the Sea and Here Lies A Ghost"

About the Author