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Whale Song: A Novel
 
 
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Whale Song: A Novel [Paperback]

Cheryl Kaye Tardif (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)


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Paperback, April 1, 2007 --  

Book Description

April 1, 2007
Based on native legends of killer whales and wolves, this haunting tale of change and choice sensitively explores issues of the right to die, integrating the optimistic spiritualism of native myth and the hard realities of modern-day life. This beautiful story, told in flashback, straddles the genres of mystery and family drama, as the only witness to a tragedy loses her memory and an innocent person may be in prison for the crime, posing the difficult question Which is the higher morality—love or law? This special edition includes new scenes from the author's screenplay.


Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Originally published in Canada in 2003 (but never distributed in the U.S.), this moving story features Sarah Richardson, whose family moves from the Montana countryside to Vancouver Island just as she's about to enter sixth grade. Sarah soon finds that island life suits her perfectly--thanks, especially, to her new best friend, Goldie, whose Native American heritage Sarah finds fascinating, especially the wisdom passed to the girls from Goldie's grandmother, Nana. Sarah is also intrigued to learn that her marine-biologist father shares a passion with her new Indian friends: killer whales, which the natives revere and her father studies. Life isn't all native spirituality, however, as Sarah must confront a family tragedy that will change her life forever. Though overly melodramatic in places, Tardif's story has that perennially crowd-pleasing combination of sweet and sad that so often propels popular commercial fiction, especially coming-of-age stories. Tardif, already a big hit in Canada, may soon be a name to reckon with south of the border. Mary Frances Wilkens
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"A wise, enchanting story."  —The Edmonton Examiner


"Poignant and compelling, a coming-of-age story that addresses important societal issues within a contemporary backdrop."  —Ian Anthony, author, Ace Run


"The story is timeless and the message relevant . . .Whale Song will touch your heart."  —Shannon Lea, author, Stolen Innocence


"A wonderfully well-written novel. Wonderful characters [that] shine. The settings are exquisitely described. The writing is lyrical."  —Writer's Digest


"Deep and true, a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart. Cheryl Kaye Tardif has written a beautiful, haunting novel."  —Luanne Rice, author, Beach Girls and What Matters Most


"A tough act to follow for any written genre."  —Fresh Fiction

Product Details

  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Kunati Inc.; Revised edition (April 1, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1601640072
  • ISBN-13: 978-1601640079
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,374,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cheryl Kaye Tardif ~ Canadian Suspense with a Killer Twist

Booklist raves, "Tardif, already a big hit in Canada...a name to reckon with south of the border."

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian suspense author who enthusiastically tackles sensitive questions and terrifying scenarios that most people don't like to even think about. From psychic investigators, abuse in the foster care system, serial killers, fountain of youth serums, nanotechnology, conspiracies, bullying, racism, assisted suicide, child abductions, sexual assault, alcoholism, drug addiction, mind control and more, she delves into the human psyche and picks at our worst fears.

"One doesn't simply read a Tardif story, one experiences it!" --Betty Dravis, author of Dream Reachers

Cheryl's published novels include:

* Divine Justice (2011 ebook & trade paperbcak) TBR
* Divine Intervention (2011 ebook & trade paperback)
* Children of the Fog (2011 ebook & trade paperback)
* Whale Song (2010 trade paperback)
* Skeletons in the Closet & Other Creepy Stories (2010 ebook)
* Lancelot's Lady (2010 ebook)
* Remote Control (2010, ebook)
* The River (2010, ebook)
* Divine Intervention (2010, ebook)
* Whale Song (2010, ebook)
* Whale Song (2007, out of print, trade paperback)
* The River (2005, trade paperback)
* Divine Intervention (2004, trade paperback)
* Whale Song (2003, out of print first edition, trade paperback)

Cheryl's upcoming supernatural thriller Children of the Fog explores a parent's worse nightmare. 'You have ten seconds to make a decision: let a madman take your child, or watch your son die. Choose!'

Divine Justice, the second in the Divine psychic mystery series, is slated for release in May 2011. Cheryl is now working on a new thriller.

In September 2010, Cheryl branched out into the romance genre as Cherish D'Angelo, author of the award winning contemporary romantic suspense, Lancelot's Lady.

Born in Vancouver, BC, Canada, Cheryl Kaye Tardif was a 'military brat' and a 'military wife' who has lived all across Canada and in Bermuda. She now resides in Edmonton, Alberta, with her husband Marc, her daughter Jessica and the family dog.

"Cheryl Kaye Tardif specializes in mile-a-minute pot-boiler mysteries." --Edmonton Sun

http://www.cherylktardif.com
http://www.cherishdangelo.com

http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/cherylktardif

 

Customer Reviews

72 Reviews
5 star:
 (61)
4 star:
 (8)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (72 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful, moving family drama that spans the generations! Beautiful writing!, January 14, 2008
This review is from: Whale Song: A Novel (Paperback)
The title of this book leaped out at me from its striking cover, but when I started reading, I was captivated by how meaningful the title was to this very moving story. Cheryl Kaye Tardif's words, scenes and characters flowed through the pages so smoothly I almost forgot I was reading. I felt as though I were in Canada with the characters.

This is a story about an eleven-year-old girl, Sarah Richardson, who moves with her family to Vancouver Island, Canada where her father, a biologist, has taken a new job studying killer whales. Sarah makes friends with a neighbor girl, Goldie Dixon, who is a Nootka Indian. Before Sarah moved there, a tragedy occurred in Goldie's family; it involved her older brother, and there is a mysterious tie-in to this novel's title through that occurrence.

Goldie's wise granddmother, Nana, steeped in Indian tradition, plays a major role in Sarah's life, and Goldie's entire family becomes friends with Sarah's family as the story unfolds. When Sarah's mother becomes ill, a boy who has a crush on Sarah gives her a lovely whale figurine which is another tie-in to the title.

What happened in Goldie's family before Sarah came to live there? How does Sarah lose her mother ... and then her father, in uniquely different ways? How does she reclaim them both ...in uniquely different ways? And how does Sarah lose her memory? Why can't she remember the events of the most tragic day in her life? And just how does a whale figure into the plot? Do people who are drowned truly come back as whales, as the Nootkas believe?

That's a long list of questions, I know, but this author answers them with such dexterity, she'll leave you breathless. And, finally, the question that begs to be answered: What IS a Whale Song and how does it help Sarah reclaim her mother?

To get the answers to those questions, you must read this intriguing, exciting book. It will tug at your heart strings, stirring your emotions like no other.

One doesn't simply read a Tardif story, one experiences it! Among the very few authors I've ever said that about is my all-time favorite Pat Conroy. Like him, Cheryl Kaye Tardif has a definite way with words, weaving a touch of magic into them ... a little like Conroy in BEACH MUSIC, my favorite book..

This is not only a coming-of-age story, it's a love story, a mystery and a family drama in one clear, concise package. Though billed as women's fiction or general fiction, this novel will appeal to YA and all generations--just as "Harry Potter" does.

"Whale Song" is a bestseller in Canada and the US. It made both lists on Amazon shortly after it was released. I'm not surprised that a film producer is looking closely at this book. In the front of my copy, Tardif wrote: Dare to Dream, and Dream Big! I certainly hope her Big Dream comes true and this novel becomes a movie!

My only regret is that I didn't discover this author sooner. She has two other novels out, "Divine Intervention" and "The River." But she says she "holds this one close to her heart." Well, it's now close to my heart, too, as I'm sure it will be to yours. I look forward to reading those other two, but I can't wait to read the one she's currently working on; it's a nonfiction story about the tragic murder of her younger brother and his friends, The Porch Monkeys ... a story of the lost, the forgiven.

Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008
Millennium Babe: The Prophecy
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Touched my heart..., August 12, 2007
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This review is from: Whale Song: A Novel (Paperback)
I am thrilled to be introduced to Whale Song by Cheryl Kaye Tardif. This talented author has written a moving tale that touched my heart. From the opening page of the prologue, I was captivated.

Eleven year old Sarah Richardson has her world uprooted when her parents move from a ranch in Wyoming to Vancouver Island, Canada. Her father is a biology professor who has taken a job studying killer whales. Things are difficult for Sarah at first, but she is fortunate to meet Goldie Dixon, a neighbor of the same age who happens to be a Nootka Indian. Goldie's older brother drowned and her Indian tradition believes that he has come back as a whale and speaks to her. As Sarah faces a family tragedy, Goldie and her wise grandmother, Nana, will help Sarah navigate the rough road that lies ahead.

Whale Song is a powerfully moving story that had me in tears more than once (and I'm not usually an emotional reader). It's a tale of love and sacrifice, friendship and survival, and doing what is best for those you love--despite the cost. But what makes Whale Song sing is Tardif's beautiful writing. I picked it up one afternoon and couldn't put it down until I was finished.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif has written two other books, Divine Intervention and The River. I have definitely added them to my reading list.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An engrossing, powerful story, March 18, 2008
This review is from: Whale Song: A Novel (Paperback)
Only child, star in her parent's crown, Sarah's fairytale life takes a startling and sad turn. Whale Song is beautifully written, and though not an action novel, it is a page turner. The novel is emotionally evocative (I shed tears for Sarah and her companions) but there are many, many heartwarming and encouraging aspects. You quickly become embroiled in the narrator's life, and Sarah's voice is so strong you could believe you are reading a true story. The characters are convincing, engaging and memorable. I found myself thinking about the novel and its "lessons" while driving to work, often in fact. The Native American mysticism was particularly well done and interesting.

The story begins when 11-year-old Sarah, her mother and father move from Wyoming to Vancouver--from the mountains to the sea. Her father is a marine biologist, her mother an artist. Sarah is devastated by the move but soon makes friends with a Native American girl named Goldie and is accepted by Goldie's family and her wise woman grandmother Nana but at school another Native American student teaches Sarah about discrimination and cruelty.

Whale Song follows Sarah as she matures--her tragedies and triumphs--to a satisfying end.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
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Nonno Rocco, Nonna Sofia, Great Spirit, Norma Sofia, Chief Spencer, Finland Fancy, Fallen Island, Matsqui Institute, Whale Song, Annie Pierce, Copper Woman, Sarah Richardson, Vancouver Island, Bamfield General, Bridge of the Gods, Daniella Richardson, United States, Jack Richardson, Sea Wolf, The Three Warriors, Bamfield Elementary, Bay City Rollers, Bayview Lane, Father Verhagen, Sea Corp
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