When Jenna Bush-Hager announced her October pick for her book club, I knew I would be choosing it for my next read. That month was a special selection. Bush-Hager collaborated with Queen Consort, Camilla Parker-Bowls, and her book club called The Reading Room. We were leaving on our London trip a couple of weeks later so it seemed like the perfect choice.
British author, Joanna Quinn’s debut novel The Whale Bone Theatre is a work of historical fiction. It’s a family saga that takes place in an England coastal, ivy-covered manor from the 1920s to the end of WWII. The story follows Cristabel Seagrave, her half-siblings, the household staff, passive and distant parents, plus many charismatic visitors.
The book elapses through time starting with the discovery of a beached whale which the children, literally, turn into a glorious theatre by the sea. Its colossal rib cage housed the children’s imagination to perform Shakespearean plays.
As the children’s thoughts are occupied by their whalebone theatre, WWII looms. The book travels into the war as the young ones grow into adults and family dynamics shift. Their involvement in the war changed all of them but the theatre is always their solace.
This story was entertaining but with a couple of drawbacks. Because I was traveling, I read from my e-reader. I enjoy flipping back through the pages to recall characters and plot changes which aren’t ideal with an e-reader. I didn’t realize this book was a whopping 554 pages! Because I like to peruse through a book I would have enjoyed it more holding an actual copy in my hand.
Keeping it transparent, was it my favorite book I read this year? No. Was I glad I read it? Yes. To my taste, it read at a slow pace, although, the storyline was interesting. Many book sites gave it high reviews so keep that in mind. Not all books can be everything to all readers so give it a try! It just might be your cup of tea. (Yup, that comment was written on purpose since it takes place in England!) If you decide to pick up this book, I hope you enjoy it cuddled up on a cold weekend!
