Whale Fall: One of the Observer's Top Ten Debuts of 2024

Whale Fall is a beautiful, evocative coming-of-age story set in 1938 on a remote island off the coast of Wales. Manod, a young woman, sees a chance to leave the island and discover the life she's been searching for when two anthropologists arrive, but she becomes entangled in their relationship and her imagined future begins to seem out of reach.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

An exquisite, evocative coming-of-age story that takes place in a world on the cusp of great change, "Whale Fall" by Maggie O Farrell has been hailed as a masterpiece by critics. Set in 1938 on a remote island off the coast of Wales, the novel follows the journey of Manod, a young woman living in a world on the brink of disaster. The ominous appearance of a beached whale on the island's shore, coupled with rumors of submarines circling beneath the waves, have the villagers steeling themselves for what is to come. Empty houses serve as a haunting reminder of the men lost in the Great War and the challenges of building a life in the island's harsh, salt-stung landscape.

When two anthropologists from the mainland arrive, Manod sees in them a rare moment of opportunity to leave the island and discover the life she has been searching for. However, as she guides them across the island's cliffs, she becomes entangled in their relationship, and her imagined future begins to seem desperately out of reach.

Elizabeth O'Connor's beautiful, devastating debut "Whale Fall" tells a story of longing and betrayal set against the backdrop of a world on the edge of great tumult. With its vivid prose and intricate characters, the novel explores the complexities of human relationships and the sacrifices we make in pursuit of our dreams. It is a haunting and unforgettable tale that will leave readers pondering the nature of love, loss, and the power of hope in the face of adversity.

Weight: 292g
Dimension: 138 x 206 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781035024728