Whalesong: A Novel About the Greatest and Deepest of Beings [Paperback]

Robert Siegel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 1991

The classic fable of Hruna the humpback whale and his journey into love, mystery, and spiritual awakening in the waters of the world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Siegel won the Golden Archer Award and the Matson Award for the book Whalesong,/i> and has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize for Poetry. He is professor of English and director of the Creative Writing Program at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 2nd edition (May 10, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062507982
• ISBN-13: 978-0062507983
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #740,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Adventure into the Deep Blue, December 14, 2001

By 

Kevin Metcalfe (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whalesong: A Novel About the Greatest and Deepest of Beings (Paperback)

My wife is a sixth grade teacher and reads "Whalesong" to her class as a read aloud book in their Sea Life Expedition. Her students are just raving about how much they love it. She says it is wonderful how it brings in other books, such as Moby Dick. The children can really relate, since it is told in the whales pespective. She says, "You feel as if you are right there swimming with the whales". She highly recommends this book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Life and Adventures of a male humpback whale, December 27, 2000

By 

christinemm - The Thinking Mother (Houston Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Whalesong: A Novel About the Greatest and Deepest of Beings (Paperback)

Whalesong

Poetic, interesting, easy to read

I read this very quickly, it was an easy read and I was engrossed in the story. A bit predictable in some parts but overall was very entertaining. The author writes about life of a whale from his infancy until he becomes a father and leader of the whale pod. Others have written reviews that reveal more about the content so I will refrain from repeating what they have said. Just think of what life would be like as a whale and how things look from a whale's perspective. The only thing that I find a bit questionable is that the whales are given a VERY human-like intelligence and emotional capacity, which some people may find too unrealistic to bear. Encounters with whaling ships, storms, humans, an aquarium, and a great escape are all covered. There is even some romance. I enjoyed this book but I'll be honest and state that I felt it was the author's intent to give support to the "save the whales" movement; it is a bit like fiction-based propaganda. (This book was first published in 1981 when the "save the whales" campaign was a popular environmental cause.) How anyone can read this book and not suddenly feel compelled to do something to help save the whales is beyond me. It also made me feel guilty for having visited aquariums in the past! The book has emotional parts and I did shed a few tears and at other parts I was cheering for the whales and other sea creatures. I understand the author went on to write two sequels to this story but as of yet I have not read them. Read it and form your own opinions!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical, beautifully written story, March 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Whalesong: A Novel About the Greatest and Deepest of Beings (Paperback)

It is rare that an author writes a book from the perspective of a non-human animal that actually makes you feel as if THIS IS THE ANIMAL TALKING. The world of the whales is spun around us, in a magical, unforgettable tale. I felt as though I was really there, swimming with the whales. More non-human animals need their experiences expressed- and literature may be the best way. YOU- YES, YOU- MUST READ THIS BOOK. Even for those who simply wish to enjoy faultless literature, this book is a must-read.