I really enjoyed this debut novel by Elizabeth O’Connor. The story takes place in 1930s Wales on a small, remote island. The local inhabitants share their experiences on the island with two young researchers after the body of a whale washes onto the beach. The writing style reminded me a lot of Sally Rooney’s work in the way the dialogue was structured, how we lived through the main character’s stream of consciousness, and its direct delivery amongst very emotional scenes.

Thank you Net Galley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

Somewhere between a 3.5-4 star read for me! This was an interesting and evocative read, and the author did a wonderful job of immersing me in a setting that I am admittedly not familiar with at all. I thought the writing was beautiful while succinct, but I had a hard time connecting to Manod at times, which dropped it a star for me. If I had to be critical, the narrative also really picks up for me at the last 30% of the book and I wish the pacing was a little more balanced. This was still a really lovely cloudy, cozy weather read and I’m looking forward to seeing more from the author!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for the ARC!

What an incredible treat this novel is. Every word filling the slim volume with character and atmosphere, almost hypnotic in its exploration of isolation and grief and family. I cannot wait for more long-form from Elizabeth O'Connor.

This was an amazing book for a debut. The imagery and description used made me feel like I was there not reading about it. The commentary of how populations can be exploited for a story, by people coming from a different way of life that they have deemed superior is a theme we see in many cultures, but I have not seen it written in such an eloquent way. The use of symbolism of the whale indicates the challenges Manod will face from the beginning of the book, and the reader is able to find out at the same time Manod is. I am looking forward to other books my Elizabeth O'Connor as this is such a great debut.

On a windswept island off the coast of Wales, a small but hardy community has lived for generations despite its loss of young people to the mainland. Manod, a clever and curious islander charged with her family's care after her mother's death, watches her peers depart for better lives and contemplates her own future. Acting as an anchor for her family but wanting to breathe in the wider world, Manod and her contemplations grow more dire when a whale becomes stranded on the shore. When a duo of ethnographers arrive from England, Manod gets a glimpse of life beyond the island, for better and for worse.

O'Connor's debut is a brilliant story of growing up, of holding on and letting go, of family, love, betrayal, and possibility. Her writing lands on the page like mist from crashing waves and her storytelling will linger like fog.

This immersive, lyrically descriptive novel about a young girl coming of age on a sparsely populated welsh island, sent shivers down my spine. A whale beaching coincides with the arrival of two ethnographers. This novel delves into the troubled behavior of ethnography and archaeology of this time, through their telling of the Island lore, traditions, and folk songs. Without giving too much away, we experience the limitations, yearnings, and reality of Manod, the young woman. I can't say enough, one of my new favorites. I look forward to more from this author.

A beautiful, brief debut novel set on a remote Welsh island in the years between the World Wars. It focuses on Manod, a young Welsh woman, and a pair of English anthropologists who come to study the island, its people, and its customs. Perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon; O'Connor's prose is enchanting.

Wow! What an absolute wonderful debut novel. Set on a remote Welsh island, the reader is introduced to Manod, one of the few young people living there. After a dead whale washes up on the island's shores, a series of events occur that will begin to change Manod's life. With the arrival of two English ethnographers to study the island and its people, Manod sees that there is a life possible off the island and what that could mean for her. The scenery described is beauthiful, I loved the mixing of the Welsh language with the English language. I will be recommending this book for my friends and for my book clib.

What an amazing debut. I can’t believe this is the first book O’Connor has published as she reads like a seasoned, confident pro. I devoured this book in one sitting, enjoying the poetic, lyrical language and the compact yet sufficiently suspenseful plot that kept me totally engaged.

I read this as a coming of age book that any female can relate to. As someone who has spent a lot of time on the Aran Islands, I connected immediately with Manod. She loves her island and is committed to her small family and way of life, but she is also a reader who desires more. We are shown rather than told what happens and I really appreciated the delicate way the author conveyed some heavy themes. The view of the outside world of island life was hard to read; we see how difficult it is to accurately represent and share a culture and its traditions. Maybe it’s impossible? As a reader, I was rooting for Manod throughout and she doesn’t disappoint. She is incredibly human but also very smart and not the naive islander the outsiders take her to be.

I loved this book and will purchase a hard copy when it is released. It will be a great gift for my fellow island lovers. Thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the preview opportunity.

"Whale Fall" by Elizabeth O'Connor is a beautifully crafted debut novel that delves into themes of loss, isolation, cultural exploration, and the complexities of self-discovery.

Set in 1938 on a remote Welsh island, the story centers on Manod, a young woman who has spent her entire life on the island with her father and sister. The arrival of two English ethnographers seeking to study the island's culture brings both excitement and trepidation to Manod's life. For her, they represent a glimpse into a world beyond the island, a world she longs to explore. As the ethnographers stay on the island, Manod is drawn to them, experiencing a sensual awakening and a growing desire to break free from her insular community.

Elizabeth O'Connor's prose is nothing short of exquisite. Her writing is evocative, painting vivid pictures of the island's rugged beauty and the inner emotional landscapes of its inhabitants. The narrative is imbued with a sense of longing and introspection, as Manod grapples with her desires and her role within her community.

The characters in the novel are richly developed and multi-dimensional. Manod is a compelling protagonist, and readers will empathize with her yearning for something beyond the confines of her island life. The ethnographers bring an element of intrigue and cultural exploration to the story, adding layers to the narrative.

At its core, "Whale Fall" is a story about the clash between tradition and change, the tension between preserving one's cultural heritage and embracing the unknown. O'Connor skillfully explores the complexities of cultural identity and the impact of outsiders studying a community from an ethnographic perspective.

The novel also explores themes of sensuality, female empowerment, and the courage to challenge societal expectations. Manod's journey of self-discovery is both poignant and relatable, making her a character readers will root for.

"Whale Fall" is a thought-provoking and beautifully written novel that captures the essence of a remote island community and one woman's quest for self-fulfillment. It is a literary gem that resonates with its readers long after the final page. Elizabeth O'Connor's debut is a remarkable achievement, and her storytelling prowess is sure to garner well-deserved attention in the literary world.

A fast read and a good story. Well written and a great escape for a lazy weekend curled up on the couch.

Whale Fall by Elizabeth O'Connor remarkable story, O’Connor beautifully weaves a stunning debut!
This book was excellent -- one of the best I've read this year. 
A well-written, deeply textured story with characters that were so well developed.
I thought it was delightful ride! It’s an inventive and engaging tale from beginning to end.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I loved Whale Fall by Elizabeth O'Connor and I think this book is for anyone looking to experience some heartfelt emotions. I started reading it late in the evening, planning to only read a little. Two hours later I'd finished after not being able to put the book down. I immediately found myself connecting to the main character Manod. Her experiences and feelings are just so moving, and I certainly felt her emotions very deeply. That's a testament to how believably Elizabeth O'Connor can write real & human stories. I also cannot praise enough how well Manod's home is described. This fictional, remote island was brought to life for me. I don't know how it's possible to describe a location in such a way that I'm absolutely in love while at the same time longing to see what's beyond it for Manod's sake, but that's what happened here. Definitely incredibly done. This wasn't a long read but there is such a rich story here! Whale Fall is an absolutely brilliant debut novel!

You’re telling me this is a debut?? Whale Fall had some of the best writing I’ve read in a debut in ages. I truly believe that it is much more impressive to be able to tell your story in a short, succinct way as opposed to a long, meandering way and Elizabeth O’Connor does it so so so we’ll. It feels like every word she picked was carefully chosen and in just around 200 pages she was able to capture the feelings of longing, grief, and heartbreak so vividly. This was a joy to read and I absolutely recommend.

ARC provided by NetGalley.