Cover Image: The Whale Library

The Whale Library

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Member Reviews

Well, this book is creative and tells an interesting story. I have only one negative remark and that's about a few drawings with naked characters. Other than that, I think a whale library sounds fantastic. Moreover, I learned a few interesting things about sea post that I never knew.

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This book is absolutely beautiful both the illustrations and story. I am so amazed that even though its such a short book that can be read in one sitting, its such an impactful book. I love it so much and would absolutely recommend it to everyone.

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Thankyou to Netgalley and Europe Comics for allowing me to read an Arc of this.

The Whale Library is like a fairy tale for adults, it's moving story in only 80 pages. The simple art fits the story well are are truly beautiful, it really gives it a melancholy vibe.
The idea of a Whale carrying a whole Library around in the sea is a fascinating idea and I loved the whole concept plus her Octopus assistant. I loved seeing the whales curiosity with the land and how fallen leaves becomes one of her favourite things.
I loved the bond between the postman and the Whale, and also the sweet relationship between the postman and his wife.
Without giving too much away the ending was not what I expected, I wasn't prepared for that to happen.

This was poetic, funny, mellow, sad and just wonderful really, a super easy read.

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Content/Trigger Warnings: Nudity, animal death, imagery of blood


"The sea, like the human heart, is full of secrets."



This was a beautifully written, heart-breaking story to read. The writing style is so delicately and wondrously woven together that makes your heart weep for the characters and story. Not to mention, I almost cry so many times while reading this book. Though, I whole heartedly fell in love with everything that this book encompasses.

Though this book is laced with simplicity, this book truly is a master piece in itself. I couldn't recommend a better book that holds a powerful, silent thunder that will stir your emotions and cause you to pause in your reading. As well as having imagery that compliments the dialogue quiet well. Truly, this is a graphic novel to add to your list of stories to read.

"We learn to tell stories for the same reason we learn to swim. To keep from drowning."

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Not was I was expecting, but I loved the illustrations and artwork. The story was more emotional then I was expecting going into it, but overall a lovely read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

I am very conflicted on my thoughts for this book. I don’t think that it is bad or anything, but there were many things that I saw or read that are puzzling and shocking if they are what I think they are.

First off, overall, I don’t think the story flows well. Every time I thought we were getting somewhere plot wise, the next page would be something completely irrelevant. For example, we would go from a few pages in the whale library and turn the page to find the mail carrier’s wife laying on the floor of their house with text that implies that if she doesn’t love her baby enough, then she will miscarry. It literally states that the mother is whispering promises to her belly, which she has to do in order to make the baby believe in them, otherwise “their little hearts stop beating and they drift away forever.” The next page would then be right back with the mail carrier in the library, so what was the point of that whole thing? Does this then also imply that if a woman has a miscarriage, it is her fault? Pardon?

There was also many instances of vaguely misogynistic ideas and language, which just seems very out of place. (If this was translated, then maybe it’s just a poor translation.) At one point there was full on male and female nudity and a panel alluding to a potential sexual act while in the bath. I really have no idea what this book is about. I thought it was going to be about a library inside a whale, but instead I saw a pirate manhandling some breasts.

The ending was the biggest let down. It brought about the demise of the one thing that I found enjoyable about the story besides the art.

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I thought this was a beautiful graphic novel! Definitely an adult story (death, nudity, etc) but WORTH THE READ! The idea of a whale collecting books and distributing them to the other sea creatures, I love it! The ending was heartbreaking, but I still thought this graphic novel was amazing. And the art. OH MY GOODNESS! It is beautiful! I read it a few times just to look at the pages again. I can’t wait to get a physical copy, the art is that beautiful!

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

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This was definitely an interesting graphic novel! I loved the idea of a library inside a whale. The illustrations that went along with this story were very good! I guess I was hoping for more story regarding the actual library in the whale, but it seemed like the story focused a lot more on mail delivery at sea.

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Such a peaceful read, great for a variety of ages. Illustrations were amazing. I found this book to be such a fun and fast read that I can see going back to in the future to share with others.

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Okay, let me start by saying that this is not a childrens book. Trigger warnings are death, violence and nudity.

That being said, it is a FANTASTIC read, quick graphic novel that is packed with a heartwarming and heartbreaking story.

thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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I enjoyed this book, but thought it was a bit old for my grandchildren, aged 3, at the moment, so will save it for a few years time.

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What a beautifully illustrated story!! I could barely peel my eyes away from the lovely shades of blue long enough to get through a single sentence.
If I was a child, I'd have stared at the colors for hours. The story was lovely and sad but somehow still wonderful. A bittersweet ending but packed with all the right elements.
It's a very breezy read and still thought-provoking.
I thought it was a children's book initially but there are some parts of the illustrations which are definitely not for the young. A really lovely read overall and beautiful depictions.

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I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this eBook.

What a beautiful book. Though very short, this book was sad, bittersweet and thought-provoking at the same time. But what I loved the most were the illustrations - so soft and aesthetically pleasing.

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This book caught me by surprise! At first I thought it's a children's book because of the art and aesthetic elements incorporated in the prose but reading through the book made me realized it is intended for adult readers. The story is about a mailman bound for delivering letters by sea. He is a mailman, a husband, and a future father. To sail away from them is always a painful parting not because of sadness but because of the daunting thought that he may not be able to see his family again. Little did he know that he is set to sail to one of the greatest adventures in his lifetime.

It is a book that will enlighten us on the importance of distance and physical presence in relationships. It will also make us understand the beauty in absence.

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I thought this book was beautiful after the first few pages, it has a gentle pace. Watercolor illustrated with beautiful details make this book visually appealing. Several times I caught myself rereading a text just because it painted such a picture in your mind. The story itself is bittersweet and I found myself emotionally connecting to the book and bonding to its characters. Many times I wondered if this book were suitable for my teenage classes. It contains interesting learning themes such as post traveling by sea rather than land and the harsh reality of whaling. It has depicted nudity and birth and death. These themes place the book at older readers however I would still trial this with my own teenage children as I think the storytelling and the illustrations are too good to miss out on. My teenage daughter who loves Marine life and Ecology would be drawn to this I think. I would love to own a copy of this book and would gift it to my daughter. Beautifully written and illustrated, it will take you on a journey.
I loved it.

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The gist: A postman travels across water to deliver mail and makes friends with a whale who has a library inside of him. Literally a whale’s lifetime of books. (Both the Child and adult book nerd in me smiles at this thought.)… And that’s all I’m willing to disclose because these stories are so short but combined with the illustrations, it adds depth! Even the script/writing is beautiful - very sweet and touching story.

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This book was made for someone much smarter than myself (positive).
The main theme, as I see it, is the importance of stories, telling and consuming, with a strong love note to the sea in the middle.
Coupled with beautiful illustrations, in blue and red tones, a palette which also confers a much deeper meaning to the story.
This is a story that you can chew for a while - i went back and forth a couple times, noticing meanings and parallels in both story and colour and their combination; each one adding a new thing.
In terms of tone this is a more adult book than it first seems, especially because of the sad twist towards the end (TW: pregnancy loss, stillbirth, animal cruelty) (+light nudity included).

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Such a beautiful book! I really liked how the story mixed the beautiful illustrations with the niche and delightful plot of the maritime post.

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Short but eloquent and bitter sweet, with lovely illustrations.

A whimsical story which showcases the joy of Mail and books!

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Zidrou's lines are akin to a romantic poet's verse.
There is something classic and natural about the way he writes this story.
It hearkens a bit to the lines found in Snicket's works as well.
Both poet and fantastical.

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