The Last Whaler
-
-
4.8 • 11 Ratings
-
-
- $9.99
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
A gripping tale of survival and love in the unforgiving Arctic. In the late 1930s, Tor, a seasoned beluga whaler, takes his wife Astrid to a remote whaling station in Svalbard. As they grapple with the loss of their child and the harsh realities of Arctic life, their marriage faces extreme stress. Astrid, a trained botanist, seeks solace in the stark beauty of the landscape, while Tor confronts the environmental impact of his trade. Can their love endure the isolation and the looming darkness of the polar winter?
The Last Whaler is a meticulously researched novel that explores the themes of grief, resilience, and the human connection to nature. Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Atmospheric historical fictionCharacter-driven storiesEnvironmental themesThis is a raw, beautiful novel you will not soon forget.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Reeves (Falling Through the New World) spins a dramatic tale of survival at a frigid whaling station in 1937 Norway. Botanist Astrid Handeland accompanies her whaler husband, Tor, on his arctic beluga hunt, hoping to heal the rift between them after the death of their four-year-old son, Birk, who drowned in Oslo's harbor on Astrid's watch. As Astrid studies the arctic flora, her depression is exacerbated by the harsh weather conditions and the cramped living quarters she and Tor share with his crew. After Astrid gets unexpectedly but happily pregnant, the couple delays their return home to spend a couple of weeks alone. The situation quickly becomes dire after they fail to reach the rendezvous point with their ship, forcing them to shelter in their cabin through the winter with dangerously low rations and no medical care. Told through alternating viewpoints—Astrid's in letters to Birk and Tor's after he discovers those letters 10 years later—the story is packed with revelations about the couple's efforts to cope with their grief. This emotionally rich historical will keep readers turning the pages.
Customer Reviews
Hmmm . . .
Not at all what I expected, though, to be honest, I’m not sure what I did expect. This is a heavy read, dealing with life, death, grief, guilt, regret, and all the complexities involved with each. After all, what is a whaler but a killer of whales? . . . one who supplies necessary products, of course. The story is sandwiched between two world wars. And what is war but killing and dying on a mass scale? . . . and for what? What is the Arctic but inhospitable? There are drownings, animals are killed: polar bears, whales, reindeer, a baby seal, a seagull, sled dogs—miners die, mothers die, there is madness, suicide. Grief abounds—a complex emotion, often compounded by guilt. Which deaths do we mourn, and why? Which don’t we and why not? Which do we feel responsible for? Which are okay? Which are not? Seems death, too, is far more complex than one might have thought. By the time you think you're done with the book, you'll find it's not quite done with you. So many facets of death—the one surety we have in common with all living things on this planet. We come to find it is part of life. You'll be thinking about this book long after you finish it. If you feel up to the challenge—it's worth it—but be prepared for the darkness.
Magnificent!
The Last Whaler by Cynthia Reeves is a masterpiece of love, faith, deception, loss, reflections and self-discovery. My emotions ran the gambit as each detail related to the story but more importantly to my life. I highly recommend Reeves’ inspiring work if you are up to the challenge of deep thinking that promotes understanding. Rich, profound, wise…