Whale Song: A Novel [Paperback]

Cheryl Kaye Tardif (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 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

See all Editorial Reviews

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: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (177 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,740,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"ONE DOESN'T SIMPLY READ A TARDIF STORY, ONE EXPERIENCES IT!"

Dear reader:

I'm an international bestselling Canadian author who loves to say, "I kill people off for a living!" You can imagine the looks I get from people. Sometimes I'll tell them, "Fictitiously, of course. I'm an author." Sometimes I won't say anything; I'll let them wonder...

On March 4th, I'll be celebrating the release of my latest thriller, SUBMERGED, with an online launch party, featuring 6 other thriller authors.

I am probably best known for Children of the Fog, a supernatural suspense thriller that has sold over 50,000 copies (Sept 2012) and made Amazon's Top 100 bestsellers list (overall list) multiple times out of nearly 2 million ebooks; and Whale Song, a much-loved, inspiring family tale with a hint of mystery, which is now available in its third edition--plus a school edition with a discussion guide.

Whale Song, an emotional mystery that explores controversial issues like assisted suicide, school bullies and racism, has captured the attention of numerous film companies. A screenplay, which I wrote with co-writer Alison Neuman, was completed in 2006, along with a movie treatment. I'm pursuing possible film deals for many of my books. And sometimes when I think of a movie deal, I smell buttered popcorn.

Booklist calls me "a big hit in Canada...a name to reckon with south of the border."

In September 2005, my gripping action-packed techno-thriller The River was released. This well-researched novel explores the mysterious Nahanni River area, nanotechnology and man's obsession with longevity. The River has been compared to works by Michael Crichton, James Patterson, Dean Koontz and Dan Brown.

I'm also the author of the 2004 "sizzling psychic suspense" Divine Intervention, a 'psi-fi' suspense thriller (or paranormal romance) that has been compared to works by authors such as Iris Johansen, Kay Hooper and Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb's 'In Death' series. Divine Justice, the second in the Divine mystery series, was also released in 2011.

In 2009, I branched off into romance with my debut romantic suspense Lancelot's Lady. Since romance is a different genre from my usual suspense/thrillers and YA, I wrote Lancelot's Lady under the pen name of Cherish D'Angelo. Lancelot's Lady was a semi-finalist in the Dorchester Publishing Next Best Celler contest hosted by Textnovel. It also won an Editor's Choice award from Textnovel in 2010.

A novelette of suspense titled Remote Control was released in ebook edition in July 2010; and a collection of stories titled Skeletons in the Closet & Other Creepy Stories in August 2010.

In 2006, I participated in a hilarious new TV series 'A Total Write-Off', hosted by comedian Barbara North. In 2004, I was nominated for the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award. In 2003, I wrote a public service announcement for a racial harmony campaign. My PSA script, One Voice ~ One World, placed third and was produced and aired on cable channels in Alberta.

I have not only held hundreds of book signings, I have also organized multi-author signings, held virtual book tours and other online events, and I've taught others how to promote their books. My book How I Made Over $42,000 in 1 Month Selling My Kindle eBooks is the #1 Marketing book specifically designed for Amazon's KDP Select program.

I've been interviewed by numerous TV and radio stations in Canada and the US, and I've been featured in a variety of newspapers and magazines in both countries.

I'm also the publisher at Imajin Books, a venture that is dear to my heart. Imajin Books publishes quality international fiction at affordable prices, with a focus on ebooks.

Born in Vancouver, BC, I was a "military brat" and a "military wife" who has lived all across Canada and in Bermuda. I now reside in Edmonton, AB, with my husband Marc and our Pomeranian Princess, Chai.

AGENT information:
Erica Spellman-Silverman
Trident Media Group
41 Madison Avenue, Floor 36
New York, NY 10010

Ph: 212-333-1506

www.tridentmediagroup.com

Cheryl's links:

http://www.cherylktardif.com

http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheryl-Kaye-Tardif-novels/29769736630

http://www.twitter.com/cherylktardif

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 74 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

By Betty L. Dravis VINE™ VOICE

Format: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 Read more ›

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Touched my heart... August 12, 2007

By Cynthia K. Robertson TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Lyrical Voice May 19, 2007

By Wantz Upon A Time Reviews

Format:Paperback

Fresh in from Wyoming, Sarah is the new girl on Vancouver Island in Canada. Along the island's shores, Sarah finds a wonderful new way of life and unexpected friends. It soon looks that the rest of her childhood will be spent in an idyllic atmosphere.

Things slowly change as Sarah's mother succumbs to a devastating illness. Her life is shattered when her mother dies and father is accused of murder. Struck by the loss of a memory that could either help or irreparably harm her father, Sarah slides into a prolonged period of torment in which she resists a tribal chief's promise that a wolf will guide her to the truth of that horrible day her mother died.

Sarah has a chance to find peace and happiness, but the journey may be more than she can bear.

Author Cheryl Kaye Tardif offers a sometimes sentimental, sometimes shocking story about the effect of tragedy on a young life. The abrupt change from an ideal childhood to the aftermath of a frightening ordeal is a premise with a great deal of potential. Tardif explores some wonderful aspects here, but there could have been so much more. More than half of the book is spent in weaving the structure of Sarah's life on Vancouver Island. The meat of the story, Sarah's transformation from happy child to troubled teen and adult is skimmed over, a list of highlights from the years following her mother's death.

While the first half of the book is beautifully written, there is the feel of a major disconnect between it and the ending. The author tries to tie it in with hints dropped in the form of foreshadowing, but this technique is iffy at best.

All told, I have to give this novel an average rating. WHALE SONG has the soul of a great literary work, but the surface was only scraped.... Dig deeper, and there is a heck of a story yet to be shared. I would love to see this fulfillment someday, as this is the kind of story that could sing to anyone's soul.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer

05/19/2007 Read more ›

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An engrossing, powerful story March 18, 2008

By Linda B. Nightingale

Format: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.