I don't know if I liked this one. I didn't dislike it, but it also sometimes felt like a train wreck that I couldn't look away from—which I wouldn't count as a point in its favor.

This is a story about a family with vapid parents and oddball children. Everyone feels a little on the edge of madness, and that's always a recipe for discomforting intrigue.

But I enjoyed the writing style. It's very evocative of 20th century interwar British literature—that stiff upper lip way of getting on with unpleasant facts of life, caught a bit between past tradition and modern glamour.

It's a unique read and smoothly written. But the plot just kind of seems like nonsense, pretentious, maybe, in its meandering.

I'm sitting her sputtering at my computer trying to come up with words to adequately convey my love for THE WHALEBONE THEATRE. I can't believe this is a debut! I want nothing more than to sit in a dark, quiet room and listen to Joanna Quinn tell her captive audience how her incredible brain created these characters and this story. It was inventive (loved the structure!) and transportive. I didn't just read this story, I lived in it.

Joanna Quinn writes "Why aren't there interesting girls in the stories? Why are all the best characters men?" I'm here to tell you that I will never forget Christabel Seagrave. THE WHALEBONE THEATRE will - without a doubt - be a top five read for me this year.

I loved the cover of this book firstly and the concept of the theatre made from washed up whalebones is ingenious and beautiful.
The story is full of wonderful and interesting characters as we follow Cristabel and her band of family, friends and castaways through their lives and adventures.
I very much enjoyed The Whalebone Theatre and I am already recommending it!

Although I did really enjoy this book, I'll also admit that it was a slow read for me. It reminded me of the pace of Anita Shreve books. That is not a bad thing, I like Anita's books too, but it's also not the suck you in kind of fast paced book. Because of that, I wasn't sure what I would think of the book but I was pleasantly surprised. The book follows the life of Crista and her family members. All ordinary people following the paths before them. Some didn't have a happy ending and some did extraordinary things. Part of the book takes place during WWII, so there's a little bit of action there. Overall, I like and would recommend this book. Maybe you'll find it faster paced than I did or maybe a slower paced book is what you're looking for but either way, it is worth a read.

I was surprised when I checked the page count (after I finished this book). It didn’t feel like a 550+ page book as I was so absorbed by the story that I barely came up for a breather. It felt like many things. It read like a piece of classic literature (one to be revered and re-read countless times). It read like an epic, yet also felt intimate. But most importantly, it read like one of the best books that I’ve come across in quite a while…and all of this in a debut, no less.

This is the story of three siblings, none of which share the same two parents, but grow up with an unbreakable bond of love and loyalty for each other. We watch as Cristabel, Flossie and Digby Seagrave, largely ignored by the adults in their lives, inhabit their own imaginary, magical world as children growing up in their home on the shores of the English Channel. The story begins in 1928 when a whale washes ashore on their beach and whose skeleton becomes a symbol of their independence and ingenuity as it serves as their literal backdrop for their increasingly popular play re-enactments.

As they come of age, they each diverge into their own roles to aid the cause during the WWII years. At times surprised by where they end up and what role they’re playing, they remain close through letters (these work so well to update and inform on the growth in their adult personas) and rare and fleeting stopovers in each other’s lives. And we ultimately see how their post-war lives are infused with elements of their unique childhood.

The story is told through various perspectives, and though I won’t share details here, suffice it to say, that this was a thoroughly spellbinding story for me. Full of humor, heartbreak, love, and longing, it speaks to the influence (good and bad) of a family, and how those influences visit the choices we make in fashioning our own lives. I savored hauntingly beautiful and deeply felt passages and realized that this is one book that will prompt varying nuances/enlightenment upon re-readings. An excellent choice for a book club discussion. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this writer. Bravo.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday for providing the free early arc of The Whalebone Theatre for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

The premise? Amazing.
The outcome? Somewhat muddled. Let me explain.
If The WhaleBone Theatre were cut into 2 novels, or even just one or the other, they would both be 5 stars. I feel as though the magic and curiosity of the first 200+ pages should be/could be a delightful historical YA novel. And then the second part --being an adult spy in WWII-- is a separate novel in itself.
I love historical fiction, even though the WWII storyline is saturated. That is probably my main reason for wanting a YA novel out of these 500+ pages by Joanna Quinn.
I have seen reviews where there are complaints that this epic novel is 'white washed', or full of 'first world problems.' Well, I don't believe anyone alive today reading this, grew up on the shores of Dorset in any style of home popular at the time, nor grew up between the world's two biggest wars. It is perfectly told in a way fitting to the novel's place in history and for those involved.

The novel begins with the story of a young girl, Christabel and the sad but tragic tale of her upper-class British Family. One night a whale washes up on their beach. Christabel and her siblings delight in creating plays and eventually use the whale bones to create a theatre. The children thrive, despite the useless adults that surround them.
In part two, the children age and WWII arrives, and they each contribute to the war effort in their own way. Their upbringing and theatrical heyday from the book's first half are juxtaposed against the losses and casualties of the war in part two.
This book was a slow read at times, but the story is well written, and the author has crafted some beautiful setting descriptions. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
3.5 stars out of 5
Due out October 4th, 2022

A gorgeous and moving saga of three siblings from their early childhood at the end of WWI to their young adulthood during WW2.

Cristabel was the first, born in 1916. Her mother died in childbirth and her father withdrew into himself, only venturing out to find a wife as he wants a male heir for Chilcombe Hall in Dorset. Next comes Flossie and finally, after the death of their father, Digby, son of Flossie’s mother and his father’s brother.

The first two “acts” focus on the Seagrave siblings’ childhood on the Dorset coast. From Cristabe’s lonely and unstructured early years into the sunlit warmth of the children’s largely unsupervised childhood, full of wild adventures. This includes the day that 12 year old Christabel finds a dead whale on the beach and claims it for her family. Eventually the whale’s rib cage is used to frame a stage where the children along with a whole glorious cast of artists, visitors, servants, and other children stage dramas. Christabel finds her calling as an impresario, an orchestrator of the production, whereas Digby is a natural on stage. The author does a wonderful job of creating distinctive and vivid characters, from the main three to all the numerous supporting ones.

There is a big leap to the final three “acts”, which are all set in World War II. The brightness and freedom of their seaside childhoods are behind them and, in their own ways, each of the Seagrave children contribute to the war effort. Both Digby and Christabel go undercover with the French Resistance and Flossie throws off the shackles of upper class womanhood and joins the Land Army.

The pacing of the novel is a little odd - some years are covered with just a few vignettes and a lot happens offstage, whereas Cristable’s last few days in France are spread over many pages. Though this is clearly intended to be the most riveting part of the story, I found Flossie’s quiet transformation much more interesting and enjoyable and really wanted to spend more time with her.

For me the early Dorset years are the more original and engaging (5 stars). There was a feel of K. M. Peyton’s Flambards series in the innocent, exuberant, and nostalgic mood. I loved the swing the author pulled on us when we learnt about Cristabel’s father: a cold and isolated man suddenly becomes a figure to pity. Though the World War II years are more dynamic, I felt like I’d seen the story before (3 stars). Nonetheless, there is a big emotional punch which left me quietly blubbing into my handkerchief.

I don’t read a lot of historical fiction but this seemed to me to be a superior entry into that genre, particularly the childhood section, and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a sweeping saga.

Thanks to Knopf and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

This is an epic read as we follow the orphaned, wilful Christabel Seagrave from a young child to young women. Growing up with minimal parental guidance, we follow her childhood adventures centring around Chilcombe, a crumbling mansion in Dorset. Together with her half sister Flossie and cousin Digby, the discovery of a beached whale is a pivotal event. The whale bones are later transformed into an outdoor theatre where Christabel is the director and this becomes a central theme to the book. There are a few adults who are involved in the childrens’ lives, a glamorous and alcoholic stepmother, adventure seeking uncle, bohemian and temperamental artists, and the most compassionate servants. The story continues into WW2 and the challenges the now young adults face. Digby joining the armed forces and then becoming an undercover operative, the restless Christabel struggling to find purpose, eventually also working undercover and hoping to find news of Digby, with Flossie left to manage Chilcombe and eventually contributing to the land army. When the war finally concludes, no one is immune from loss, and Christabel finds solace in transforming the theatre once again, to honour and remember her community’s war efforts.

Whilst the characters are beautifully imagined, the pace of the book is quite slow. There are a few different styles and points of view and the plot jumps to different events giving the book a lack of cohesion.

Thank you NetGallery for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 rating. The title of this book and where it comes from in the story was the intriguing story line for me. That’s because I loved the character of twelve-year-old Christobel Seagrave, an odd and quirky but intuitive girl. When a whale washes up on the beach near to Chilcombe Estate in Dorset 1920’s Christobel plants a flag and claims it as her own, fighting off the idea it belongs to England. With her half siblings Flossie and Digby, they spend their time, creating their own plays and stories. The bones of the whale literally become their theatre, a place where they can dress up and become other people. Soon they are somewhat of a sensation as they present plays for their hamlet to great applause.

I loved the first half of the novel which was an enchanting, vibrant narrative around children and adults with all of their wealth, secrets and desires laid out in the crumbling estate. I was completely engaged in the clean descriptions, the spot-on dialogue and this entranced me completely.

Unfortunately, the second half of the novel dragged a bit. Nothing new about WWII that we haven’t already read was offered as the children grew into adults and the Second World War erupted. I couldn’t wait for them to return to Dorset, to reintroduce the funny and quirky moments the family antics presented. Yes, there ends up being tragedy, but for me, the ending fizzled more than it wrapped up.

Overall, this is a good read with a fresh premise of the children’s creativity, especially around the dead whale.
Release date, October 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing for this ARC.

This is the story of Cristabel from a young neglected child to a heroic adult. I love her with all her strength & imagination & ingenuity. It is a saga of life through so much turmoil & love & fun. The characters are wonderful - well described & thoroughly carried through the story. The Whalebone Theatre is a great book.

I really enjoyed this book, it was almost like two books. The first part is the tale of a childhood on an estate in Dorset between the wars. Cristabel, whose mother died in childbirth is a neglected child. She is anxiously anticipating someday having a brother who will be the heir. Eventually, he shows up, Digby. He is preceded by a sister, Flossie. The three children run wild, living an isolated and imaginative life while the adults party. When a whale washes up on their coast Cristabel claims it. Technically it belongs to the king but it is left to become an skeletal oddity. The children play there and an artist comes to see it. This sets off a series of theatrics executed by Cristabel and crew. So we see the children grow and and learn about them and the adults in their lives. I really enjoyed this part of the book.
The story continues with the children as adults facing World War 2. Their connections and theatrics lead them into espionage. The tight bonds of childhood are pulled but hold and each child develops in their own ways.

For the first time ever I find myself in extreme disagreement with my fave sales rep. This was his favorite book on his fall list and oh, I just really struggled to get through it. I loved the first third about the great-expecations-y estate and the whalebone theater and Cristabel as a child. I had a hard time with the remaining 2/3 of the novel, the espionage/war/dramatics felt drawn out and not as engaging as the first bit.

This book, though long, is incredibly written. From the first few pages I was enamored by the writing style. The authors unique style of writing is so descriptive that you feel like you’re in the room with each character. Coming of age in England before the war, it follows the lives of three siblings. Perfect for a historical fiction lover with a bit of childhood nostalgia.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Reading this book felt like going on a vacation with numerous detours. Parts of the novel had very unique "flavors" that seemed almost disjointed (only loosely connected by the backdrop of a whalebone discovered on a nearby beach). The beginning was a very sad version of Cinderella with a forgotten stepchild being cast aside with the introduction of a young stepmother. A sibling is added to the mix (with some question about its parentage) and then the husband predictably dies leaving the oldest child pretty much left to their own devices. Then ensues a second marriage for the stepmother as well as a third child to the household that has become the oddest makeup of a family that I have ever encountered.

The point of view in the book was also mercurial. It was as if the spotlight was focused on different characters at different times. Rosalind (the stepmother) was the first character in focus. And she was quite unlikeable (as was her husband, so I guess they deserved each other). Then we see more of the world through Cristabel's eyes but the reader did not have the advantage of knowing much of her backstory (only glimpses of the beginnings of her father's and mother's marriage but not much about her childhood prior to Rosalind's entrance in the story). One can't help feeling as if the whole cast of characters are merely actors on the stage of life--coming and going at various points in the story with no true heart connection to one another. Merely reciting memorized lines.

A rather Bohemian cast of characters gets mixed into Cristobel's life that offered a sad glimpse of debauchery (excessive drinking, smoking and loose morals). The acceptance of having a wife as well as mistress in their non-traditional family, was quite bizarre. Then the story skips ahead and now the characters are affected by war. With every change of time and place, I grew more and more confused and less invested in their futures. After wading through a bit over half of the book, I ceased caring about any of them. I guess that may be a fitting metaphor from the book: as the whalebone weathered over time and the flesh was picked clean, I felt there was less substance to the story. Too many pages with too little to show for the effort.

Perhaps my old-fashioned ideals just didn't quite gel with the drama unfolding. Sometimes it just isn't worth beating a dead horse whale to find out how things will end. This title was just too weird and depressing for my taste.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of The Whalebone Theatre from NetGalley for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

An amazingly written "coming of age" story in which I enjoyed the detailed depictions of both the action scenes and the characters. I also felt the length of the book was appropriate meaning that it held my attention the entire time and I enjoyed getting to know the main character family through out.

I admit, it was the title that caught me here. And don't judge a book by its title - this was a grand escapade of love and WWII bravery by our young protagonist, Cristabel Seagrave. But this book was kind of like sipping a fine glass of wine, you read it slowly and savor the descriptions of an eccentric family on the coast of England while Cristabel grows up and becomes a spy for England. Overall, I enjoyed it, but it was rather on the slow side.

A slow-moving story of an eccentric family living in rural Dorset in the 1920s. Cristabel's mother died in childbirth and she raised herself along with a half-sister Florence, and a sort-of cousin, Digby. Cristabel found a beached whale and as the carcass was revealed, she and the bohemian group of people living on the property, created a theater of the ribs of the whale. Productions were given. Time rolled on, people moved in, moved out, died off and WWII came around. Digby went to war, Flossie cared for the estate and Cristabel became a clerk, later to become a spy. Digby and Cristabel both worked with the French Resistance, and spent time in France.

Some readers will be entranced by the story from beginning to end. I truly wanted to like this book. I found it moved far too slowly for my tastes and a lot of pages were devoted to descriptive passages of the grass, or the house, or the office spaces. The book might have benefitted from a very tight editing.

Did not draw me in. Was kind of odd. I did not finish and will not be posting a review anywhere. This may be a book someone will enjoy it just wasn’t me.

Best friends putting on Shakespeare plays in the bones of a whale! Super secret agents fighting Nazis! Book heaven from beginning to end. Joanna Quinn has given us fearless and fearsome Cristabel Seagrave, a heroine for the ages. The Whalebone Theatre is a magical adventure about friendship, love, and bravery. I promise you, this will be everyone’s next favorite book.