“Whale Fall” is a remarkable debut …. I absolutely loved it!
I started reading it a second time soon after I finished it.
It’s so alive - so honest - so beautifully written: both poetic and precise.
Elizabeth O’Connor is a true artist. She takes us to a fictional island …. and fills it with silence and howls. Her work speaks with an understanding of the unconscionable…..
It’s literally the best debut novel I’ve read in a very long time. With two readings ….I experience different standout nuances with each time.
At only 224 pages — O’Connor packs a powerful punch with vexations to contemplate in regards to oneness, character distinctiveness, family, eroticism, love, desire & longings, loss, community, isolation, grief, freedom, betrayal, protection, confidence, beliefs, faith, and what it means to be resilient.

Lyrical descriptions of nature with the intimacy of the characters extend passages of dialogue to create a style that grows increasingly foreboding over the course of the novel.

Manod (totally endearing), is eighteen years old. She lives with her father and younger sister, (and their dog) on a remote island off the coast of Wales in the year 1938, pre WWII.

When a whale washes to shore, two ethnographers (Joan and Edward), come to the island from the mainland . . . and the storytelling of these relationships with Manod take on a life of its own.

“Whale Fall”…. is absolutely marvelous: culturally, atmospherically, historically, with sensational island tales …..
From mussels, to lobsters, seals, dark birds, jellyfish, fisherman, farmers, boats, the local Reverend Jeremiah Jones, school children’s curiosity, whale rot and smells, coming of age shenanigans, embroidery, Manod’s emotions, thoughts, and connections, with life questions to ponder…. this novel is alluring for numerous reasons….
but what gave this book its ultimate heartbeat for me, was the delicious writing and the narrative … [that could only have been written by one heck of a skillful author].
Elizabeth O’Connor just became a household name in this house.

A few excerpts:
“There used to be a king on the island, who wore a brass crown. When he died in the previous decade, no one wanted to do it anymore. Most of the young men had been killed in the war, or were trying to get a job on the mainland. The ones left were too busy on the fishing boats. So it goes. According to my mother, the women were not asked. My sister spread better over bread with her fingers, eating the bread
and then licking her fingers one by one. You’re too old for that, I told her, and she stuck out her tongue at me. I poured tea into three cups on the table, and watched it steam”.

“The island did not have a blue sea, it had a gray one. It was close enough to spray the house with water at high tide, and eat away at the paint. It reached to our bedroom, the window behind the bed. Sometimes when I woke up and was half-asleep, it seemed to have crept up to the house like a flood. The grass outside the window seem to have grown straight out of it like hair on a gigantic body. Sometimes a gull stared back at me, tapping it, yellow beak against the glass”.

“Bless the men who go freely into the darkness of the sea, so that we on the island may see light”.

“Sometimes, when something else is knocked out of place, you see this upside down world until balance is restored. If my father found a bird that couldn’t fly, or found a dead sheep far out at sea, he would come home and pull my pockets inside out, because he was convinced I’d stolen something. Have you seen the whale down on the beach? My father would go lunatic”.

“I like your lipstick, I said to her as we were walking back”.
“Oh, thank you, she said, as though she was surprised to be still wearing it. I wear it all the time at home. It feels strange to wear it here but . . . I suppose I’m just used to it”.
“Do all the women wear lipstick in England?”
“Not all, no. Many do. At the University it is a little frowned upon. But in the towns, at dances . . . It’s everyone”.
— the above dialogue was between Manod speaking to Joan, from the mainland.

“Every islander contains a seed of wisdom, an affinity with the land. It is as though the water of the body has spilled out of them to create the sea, so familiar are they with it. Sea widows, childless mothers, all wear their sorrow in their black clothing, their salt-worn skin. The sea is their taunting lover and yet the sea is worshipped in embroideries, in heirloom fishing tools, boats, and jackets”.

“Close contact with nature brings a happiness few city dwellers know — along with a lack of interest in material possessions”.

Deeply moving, powerful, insightful, inspiring. . . 5 +++++ stars.

Impressive debut. This is the second book I've read lately where I would have been okay with it being even longer.

But nonetheless I found this story compelling, compulsive, even though not a lot was with the plot. It's a quiet, calm, yet tumultuous book filled with erotic prose, growth, and the changing of worlds.

Excited to see what else O'Connor writes.

Quietly beautiful, I couldn't put this one down. At first, the story seems so delicate and innocent. Then as the author led me deeper into the story, i realized the darkness lying underneath. I loved it!

Whale Fall follows a young woman, Manod, who lives with her father and sister on a remote island off the coast of Wales pre-WW2. O'Connor's writing here is simple and enchanting. The pacing of the story and the small, descriptive details pertaining to life on the island brought so much character to this book. I could close my eyes and perfectly envision the island. I felt the isolation, the longing and the grief of Manod. I even felt protective of her when a man and woman came from the mainland to write a book about the island. Whale Fall is a coming of age story wrapped up in writing so beautiful you'll feel as though you're reading poetry.

Whale Fall is a short historical fiction inspired by dwindling island communities off the English coasts in the early 1900s, and those who researched them. Narrated by Manod - a blunt and lovable island native, coming into her own, as she works with the visiting researchers on the island. A beautiful transportation to a nautical landscape - and a powerful representation of these island cultures at the time. I truly appreciated this book! Would recommend to fans of historical fiction/coastal tales. I wanted to know more of Manod's story - I wish I could read more of this. 5 stars
Thank you to the Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage catalog and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was so suspenseful, despite the creeping feeling that I knew exactly what was coming. I rushed through it, despite it being a quieter read. I loved every minute of reading it. I’m so excited for whatever comes next from this author!

Whale Fall is a fantastic coming of age historical literary fiction that fully immerses you on a fictional island. O’Connors simple prose and vignette style writing perfectly encapsulate the loneliness and isolation of those living on the island.

I fell in love with this intimate, powerful, poetic and erotic novel by Elizabeth O'Connor. Though short in length, it is a beautiful book that I will not forget. It is hard to believe that this is Ms. O'Connor's debut novel as she writes like a master.

The narrative is from the perspective of Manod, an 18 year old girl/woman, living on a remote island off the coast of Wales. The year is 1938, just prior to WWII. The approximately 50 people who reside on the island live very differently from those on the mainland. Their clothes are at least a decade behind current fashions, and some are even from the last century. Their knowledge of the outside world is quite limited, and most of them accept traditional male and female roles. The men fish while the women gather plants, help with the catch, keep house and raise children.

Manod lives with her father and younger sister. They have a dog named Elis and I found it peculiar that Manod's father often called her by the dog's name. Manod is responsible for her sister as their mother is dead. From descriptions of Manod's sister, it is possible she is on the autism spectrum.

One day a whale washes to shore and, over time, rots. The stench is overwhelming and the birds and other animals peck and dig at its flesh. The children write on the whale and it is viewed as quite a curiosity.

Shortly after the whale beaches, two ethnographers come to the Island. They are very impressed with Manod as she speaks and writes both Welsh and English, They hire her to translate their interviews with the island's inhabitants and she also does some secretarial work. Their names are Joan and Edward. Joan, at first, is enamored of Manod's intelligence and curiosity. However, they soon become mired in misunderstandings. Manod feels an erotic attraction to Edward but is unsure how to act. He arranges to spend time alone with her and their relationship becomes subtly erotic.

With the arrival of the ethnographers, Manod's understanding of the world widens and she longs to go with them when they leave. Her dream is to go to the mainland and get an education. She never thought it was possible for her until Joan told her that women, too, can get higher education.

This book was stellar and the poetic style of the narrative drew me in from the beginning. I thank NetGalley and Pantheon for allowing me access to an early review copy. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing company for this ARC and opportunity to experience Whale Fall in exchange for an honest review!
Whale Fall has a beautiful story filled with deep emotion. We follow Manod as she grapples with wanting more to life than her isolated island with limited population but having a fierce devotion to her family. A whale washing ashore brings a new demographic to the island, creating opportunities for Manod to learn about the mainland and her own desires.
The vignette style created clean snapshots of events, however it made it difficult for me to connect with the characters as I felt like an outside looking in rather than being immersed in the experience with the characters.
A nice debut for Elizabeth O’Connor

This was such a wonderful read! It was gentle and written so beautifully. I really enjoyed it! It was such an easy and gorgeous read.

Whale Fall is a very impressive debut with beautiful prose and a quiet yet interesting story. It is told in small vignettes that transport the reader back in time. I can definitely see my rating going to five stars as I take some time and reflect on this novel. There isn't much action and the plot meanders but that is precisely what makes the atmosphere come alive. If you're craving an old-fashioned English isle vibe, this is the book for you. I'm so glad I stumbled upon it and I would 100% recommend it to anyone who needs a break from modernity.

Thank you to NetGally and the publishers for this ARC!
Available: May 7th, 2024

“Whale Fall” is a poignant and beautifully crafted debut novel that delves into the depths of loss, isolation, and the quest for identity. Set against the backdrop of a remote Welsh island in 1938, the story follows Manod, a young woman whose life is as rugged and enduring as the island she calls home. The narrative weaves a rich tapestry of folklore and the stark realities of a life spent in seclusion, juxtaposed with the allure of the unknown beyond the island’s shores. O’Connor’s prose is both lyrical and incisive, and the story is a testament to the dissonance one feels when caught between the love for one’s heritage and the pull of personal aspirations. Thank you for the ARC!

Wow—I can’t believe Whale Fall is a debut. This was a moving, engaging slice of life novel set in a remote Welsh island in 1938. O’Connor paints such a beautiful picture of what it means to come of age in such a different part of the world, and at such a tenuous time.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC! Looking forward to reading whatever O’Connor writes next!

Many, many thanks to Pantheon and NetGalley for the ARC of this wonderful story. What a debut! The story will pull you in immediately. Set on an island near Wales in pre-WWII. Brilliant storytelling. I didn't expect to love this, but I did. The mood and the sense of place created by this fantastic new writer will leave the reader ready for the author's next work. Highly recommended!

This beautifully written book about a young woman’s life on a desolate island, and the changes wrought when mainlanders come to study them was a very interesting read. I went in a little blind, not really knowing what to expect, and really enjoyed this book and the authors writing style.

The isolated island life was portrayed so succinctly, the characters were well developed, and the atmosphere felt true to the time frame it takes place in.

This was a great historical fiction book, easy to read and engrossing. I enjoyed it highly and can’t wait to read more of this authors work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth O'Connor's "Whale Fall" is a beautiful novel that grabs your attention with it's almost poetic prose. Set on a remote Welsh island in 1938, the story centers around Manod, a young woman wishing for life outside of her small island.

O'Connor's writing is lyrical. She paints a picture of the beauty and harshness of the island that make it a character in itself. The characters are equally well-drawn. Though they have a life completely apart from any known to the modern western world, they are relatable. We are drawn into Manod's struggle as she tries to decide between loyalty to her family and community, and her desire for a world she only knows from stories. The arrival of two anthropologists from the mainland at first seems like her best escape, but as the story unfolds she learns that perhaps you can not always trust what you see. Manod is forced to understand that not all people are what they say, and that the way of life on her island is something worth fighting to protect. She learns that she is proud of who she is and where she comes from, even though she longs for more in her life.

"Whale Fall" is a deeply moving story that will stay with you. At its core, it is a story of belonging, loss, and the search for one's place in the world.

It’s difficult for me to review this book because I think it is beautifully written and will be appreciated by the right reader, but it was just too literary for my taste. Manod was a complex & interesting character and I absolutely loved the cover art. Thank you to Knopf & NetGalley for this advance copy.

I received whale fall as an arc through Pantheon. This story is about a teen girl who is trapped between loving the small island she is from and having pride in it, while also desperately wanting to leave and do bigger things, This story was set pre-ww2 and this looming feeling of the war coming is shown throughout the story and also shows how isolated the community is from the world as they know very little about it and current events, The main character Manod becomes “employed” through the researchers that come to the island but she also seems to form a bit of an obsession with them and the idea of leaving the island, As the story progresses you see how things change in their relationships. This story gave an array of emotions and was written so well, I felt for Manod so often and I think the setting of this story was just perfect. I highly recommended this quiet but emotional story!

Whale Fall is a historical fiction coming of age story. Main character Manod lives on a small island with a dwindling population. When a whale washes up on shore and attracts the attention of some nefarious characters, the story takes a turn. This premise, which is seemingly bland from the outside, is so wholesome on the inside.

The writing was beautiful and dramatic but the story was sadly not compelling to me. I had difficulty relating to the characters or the plot.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the opportunity to read this ARC.