June 10, 2009
Whale Wednesday: Beach Reading Edition
If you are looking for a good summer beach read, Eye of the Whale may be just the ticket. Billed as an ecological thriller, Douglas Carlton Abrams manages to successfully weave science into engaging storylines, providing a rich fictional entree into many of the issues Oceana works on. Abrams succeeds in giving threats such as ocean pollution, destructive fishing techniques, and the effects of climate change human (and cetacean) faces and with any luck, inspires his readers to action fueled by hope. The story follows Elizabeth McKay, marine biologist, as she discovers new whale vocalization patterns in the Caribbean that literally echo around the world. Her work threatens whalers, fellow researchers, and chemical industries who all fight to keep her silent. When Apollo, a humpback whale, strands himself north of San Francisco, she must use her new research to save his life and her own. Those who know me are aware that I can be prone to hyperbole, but I’m not exaggerating when I say that Eye of the Whale would be fantastic on the big screen. The intrigue, human emotion, and world altering events come together in a perfect combination of summer blockbuster gold. But don’t take my word for it — you can preorder it on Amazon. Read it and get back to me.