AUTHOR: Yolanda González
PUBLISHER: De Conatus
GENRE: Novel
READER’S NAME: Michael Mahler
DATE: August 16th, 2023

This is a very complicated novel. It two different tales about whales and human interactions with them. It begins at an unknown prehistory and place.  It is left to the reader to discern the where and when. It deals with a beached whale and the fisherman, their families, the boys who will become fisherman and thus whalers, the young women and the mothers who fear losing their boys to the sea.

After penetrating this first part of the novel it becomes clear that it is a history of the development of the Basque whaling industry. The second tale occurs in modern times, with another beached whale in Fuenterrabia and a young reporter who falls onto the whale and is downed with a profound, mysterious illness. She remains in coma while her husband and the doctors await the lab results.

In the course of this novel the two tales commingle which creates some confusion for the reader. The stories are narrated by an unknown narrator with occasional dialogue among participating characters.  The characters are well drawn and contribute positively to the parallel stories.

The language is straight forward and aside from some technical terms having to do with the whaling industry, patient care and world eco-politics it should should not be overly difficult for the professional translator.

A device the author uses that I particularly liked in understanding this novel is the use of inventories in both tales.  It is especially useful in understanding the development of the whaling industry in the VI….

Given our current interest in the relationship between humans and animals I believe that this novel will travel well in the US. Consider all the tourism for whale watching, the American public is ready for such a novel. The blending of these different stories along with coexisting plots make this a very unique novel.

This work of fiction is very different in style and subject matter and certainly will appeal to young adults. If the older reader spends the time the novel will build and become a richly rewarding read. Further this is a captivating mystery on several levels. Why are the whales beached?  What is the illness communicated from whale to the reporter or to humans in general?  Is there an international criminal element behind the beaching on behalf of anti-ecologist?

Life and death,

Work and leisure,

Sickness and health,

Wealth and poverty,

Capitalism and socialism

The novel has it all. Nature against humankind, humankind against nature.  It is a perennial dance over the centuries.

While the novel gets off to a slow start it pulls the reader in for a very satisfying read.

My rating takes into account the slow start and the confusion between stories but  otherwise I do recommend this novel for translation and distribution in the US.