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The Whalebone Theatre
- Author
- Joanna Quinn
- Narrator
- Olivia Vinall
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Publish Date
- 9 June 2022
- Run Time
- 18 hours 24 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, War, combat and military adventure fiction, Family life fiction / Stories about family, Historical fiction
- Rating
- 5.0 (3 reviews)
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What to expect
Brought to you Penguin.
'Maudie, why are all the best characters men?'
Maudie closes the book with a clllump. 'We haven't read all the books yet, Miss Cristabel. I can't believe that every story is the same'
Cristabel Seagrave has always wanted her life to be a story, but there are no girls in the books in her dusty family library. For an unwanted orphan who grows into an unmarriageable young woman, there is no place at all for her in a traditional English manor.
But from the day that a whale washes up on the beach at the Chilcombe estate in Dorset, and twelve-year-old Cristabel plants her flag and claims it as her own, she is determined to do things differently.
With her step-parents blithely distracted by their endless party guests, Cristabel and her siblings, Flossie and Digby, scratch together an education from the plays they read in their freezing attic, drunken conversations eavesdropped through oak-panelled doors, and the esoteric lessons of Maudie their maid.
But as the children grow to adulthood and war approaches, jolting their lives on to very different tracks, it becomes clear that the roles they are expected to play are no longer those they want. As they find themselves drawn into the conflict, they must each find a way to write their own story...
© Joanna Quinn 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022
Critics Review
-
Destined to become a classic . . . Elegantly written and totally immersive, Quinn's debut is a wonder
Daily Mail
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Quinn creates a world so rich with observation, detail, humanity and heart that you are incapable of doing anything but drinking it in with greedy delight
YOU magazine
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A crumbling old country manor, three unconventional siblings and the looming threat of war makes for a classic coming-of-age tale, as imaginative Cristabel, sweet Flossie and charismatic Digby attempt to find their roles in life. Brimful of charm, and wonderfully immersive, this is a captivating read
Daily Mail
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My book of the year. I adored this beautifully compulsive story with serious Cazalet vibes. Wild and wilful Cristabel was the perfect heroine
Red Magazine, The 10 Best Books of 2022
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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In classic English Country House novel style, [The Whalebone Theatre] focuses on the younger generation amidst a backdrop of scandalous adult misbehaviour. This is a chunky novel to get lost in, full of pacy plotting and luscious language
The Independent
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The Whalebone Theatre is absolute aces ... Quinn's imagination and adventuresome spirit are a pleasure to behold
New York Times
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I was swept away by this compelling, beautifully written debut and its plucky heroine
Good Housekeeping
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One of those big chunky stories that swallows you whole - and it's beautifully written too
The Times
-
Written with heart and humour
Psychologies
-
[A] brilliant debut ... A truly immersive read. The plot unfolds gradually, allowing you to really connect with the characters, all of whom are very real with their fears and foibles ... Fascinating
Dorset Magazine
User Reviews
Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
-
5.0 5.0
An interesting story, well read.
PBee 2025-03-07 -
5.0 5.0
I loved this story
Laurie 🐱 2024-11-21 -
5.0 5.0
The Whalebone Theatre was an absolutely fantastic listen from start to finish.
The blurb really does not do justice to this story. Heart-warming and heart-breaking in equal measure. It's beautifully written, and probably one of my new favourite books, which I will certainly be revisiting in the future.
A massive mention must be given to the narration. The story was read beautifully and each character given a distinct voice. I've never heard somebody pull off "Cockney with a hint of French" before!megchaplin 2024-06-20
Details
- Author
- Joanna Quinn
- Narrator
- Olivia Vinall
- Duration
- 18 hours 24 minutes
- Release Date
- 9 June 2022
- ISBN
- 9780241995129
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, War, combat and military adventure fiction, Family life fiction / Stories about family, Historical fiction
- Rating
- 5.0(3 reviews)
- Narration
- 5.0(3 reviews)
Synopsis
Brought to you Penguin.'Maudie, why are all the best characters men?'Maudie closes the book with a clllump. 'We haven't read all the books yet, Miss Cristabel. I can't believe that every story is the same'Cristabel Seagrave has always wanted her life to be a story, but there are no girls in the books in her dusty family library. For an unwanted orphan who grows into an unmarriageable young woman, there is no place at all for her in a traditional English manor.But from the day that a whale washes up on the beach at the Chilcombe estate in Dorset, and twelve-year-old Cristabel plants her flag and claims it as her own, she is determined to do things differently.With her step-parents blithely distracted by their endless party guests, Cristabel and her siblings, Flossie and Digby, scratch together an education from the plays they read in their freezing attic, drunken conversations eavesdropped through oak-panelled doors, and the esoteric lessons of Maudie their maid.But as the children grow to adulthood and war approaches, jolting their lives on to very different tracks, it becomes clear that the roles they are expected to play are no longer those they want. As they find themselves drawn into the conflict, they must each find a way to write their own story...© Joanna Quinn 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022
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