The Whalebone Theatre has been added to my small collection of all-time favourite books, and I eagerly await whatever Joanna Quinn writes next. In a novel spanning the early years of WW1 through to the end of WW2, we follow the energetic, self-sufficient and highly imaginative Christabel Seagrave as she stomps her way through life, learning finally to look around her as she does so.
I won’t go into plot details, save to say there is no shortage of it! This is a richly layered book, with multiple living breathing characters, a myriad of little sidelines (eg the delightful Flossie’s own journey, and the dark, handsome, brooding Leon, ‘Uncle Perry’ and so on and so on), scenes set from the quiet Devon countryside to the horrors of wartime France, and language to die for.
Find The Whalebone Theatre here
As an author of historical fiction, I am in awe of the research that went into this book (and have made many notes for my own current WW2 tale). As simply an author, I am in awe of the imagery which appears to fly effortlessly from the author’s pen (I know it’s a magician’s trick – with lots of practice), never heavy or purple prose, just gorgeous language. So lovely to fall into its depths and revel!
I said at the beginning that this book joins a small collection of my very favourite novels, which all have (to me) similar styles. This includes Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong, Water for Elephants, The Names, and Sarah Winman’s A Year of Marvellous Ways.
I read The Whalebone Theatre on kindle, but I’m buying the paperback. I want it physically on my shelves, to look at and admire. A highly recommended read.
More reviews here and my monthly round up of what I’ve read here. And when you’re looking for your next read, have an explore of what kind of books I write here.