The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn
If you find a way to give people what they want, they let you in...if you make a creature to hide inside, they open the doors and pull you through.
The Whalebone Theatre
Joanna Quinn
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I heard someone recently say that there are some books you finish and feel like hugging; The Whalebone Theatre is just that book. A coming of age story with a spunky, smart and unforgettable main character set in England, against the backdrop of World War II.
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Another reader encouraged me to pick this up by likening our the main character and her English setting to Scout Finch meets Downton Abbey; I bought the book the next day. I love nothing more than a feral sibling childhood tale and this is one of the best. The setting is beautifully drawn and reading it was like being pulled into a fairytale, complete with Secret Garden vibes. The children in this story exist as props for the self absorbed adults. As the oldest daughter, Cristobel takes it upon herself to to entertain her half brother and sister by opening their own theatre in the shell of a whale that washed up on their beach. My comparison to The Secret Garden stems from the magic that evolves when children are left to their own devices to find fun. It’s a very unique trope and I absolutely loved Cristobel, Digby and The Veg.
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My only struggle with this novel was that I wanted these children to stay young forever. As they grew and life and war came between them, I so badly wanted to go back to their beachside home, into their imaginations and their whalebone theatre. I love stories that weave the importance of art and how necessary it is into the narrative and that is a hidden gem in this already rich tale. Many readers have tired of the myriad of WWII novels over the last few years and so the second half of this novel may not work for them - it is history dense.
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On a personal note, this was a ReadWithJenna pick and despite loving that she gets people reading and has some great selections, the non removable sticker that mars gorgeous book covers is a real issue with me. Book lovers collect books to adorn shelves and feel about them as art lovers do about their paintings. Having no choice (and books are expensive) about a book club’s advertising on the front of my book, is just not acceptable, in my opinion.
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Ending on a high note, there aren't a lot of new novels out there that feel as though you're reading classic literature. If you're looking for a quick read, this is not it. I admit I struggled a few times towards the end, wanting the pace and vibe of the first half of the novel back, but Quinn brings the story full circle in the end. There is no rushing this book - it’s one you need to stick with and read ever so slowly. Page by deckle edged page.
