When the Whales Leave by Yuri Rytkheu: book review

When the Whales Leave (1975, English version 2019) is set in Russia’s far north Arctic region of Uelen.

In Part One, Nau is a young girl when she sees a majestic whale and falls in love with him. Reu, the whale, also falls in love with Nau. If he doesn’t return to the water ‘before the last ray of the sun is gone’ he must stay on land forever. And that is what he chooses to do. Together they have children—in both whale form and in human form. Nau will always be remembered in her community as the person who joined the land and the sea together.

In Part Two, the villages are tired of old Nau’s outrageous stories of her youth as the wife of a whale and her stories about her whale children. It’s nothing but a myth, they say. A miracle changes the lives of villagers Enu and Kliau when they have an accident at sea. It concludes with Giru, the grandson of Enu, becoming the next leader of the land.

Part Three is about the generation of Armagirgin, the grandson of Giru.

With passing generations, change is inevitable as a nation’s heritage becomes more and more distant and people, over time, become masters of the wild. This opens the debate about whether this is a strength or a weakness.

This is an interesting generational tale told in the style of indigenous story-telling. It is gentle and mystical, with themes of heritage, curiosity about distant lands, animal-human relationships, ego, duty, and responsibility.

Written 45 years ago, it is still relevant in today’s times. I like the way it is written ‘like a song’ and, in parts, like the ocean’s tidal waves. I like the development of characters, especially Nau, the first voice of warm-hearted wisdom as she influences the men of multiple generations.

MARTINA NICOLLS

SUBSCRIBE TO MARTINA NICOLLS FOR NEWS AND UPDATES

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of: The Paris Residences of James Joyce (2020), Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

Comments

2016 update on Rike Park, Tbilisi: from construction to busy park

From a flat patch of uninteresting dirt, Rike Park in Tbilisi, Georgia, has transformed in four years (from 2014-2016) into a busy park full of trees, flower beds, sculptures, fountains, and events. Rike (Rikhe) Park is on the left bank of the Mt’k’vari River (the Kura River) near the Old City of Tbilisi. The Peace Bridge links the right bank to Rike Park. Rike Park is below the hillside Presidential Palace and, via cable car, it is the starting point for the ride to Sololaki Ridge (with the Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue). The glass box-shaped cable car terminus was opened on 23 June 2012, and since then the park has continually developed into a ‘people’s park’ where people can walk around, eat at the nearby restaurants, sit next to the statue of American president Ronald Reagan, climb the steps to Avlabari district, and access the sights of Meidan Square, the Peace Bridge, the Metekhi Church, the Old City, the waterfall, the sulphur baths, and t...

The acacia thorn trees of Kenya

There are nearly 800 species of acacia trees in the world, and most don’t have thorns. The famous "whistling thorn tree" and the Umbrella Thorn tree of Kenya are species of acacia that do have thorns, or spines. Giraffes and other herbivores normally eat thorny acacia foliage, but leave the whistling thorn alone. Usually spines are no deterrent to giraffes. Their long tongues are adapted to strip the leaves from the branches despite the thorns. The thorny acacia like dry and hot conditions. The thorns typically occur in pairs and are 5-8 centimetres (2-3 inches) long. Spines can be straight or curved depending on the species. MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Suda...

Hop on hop off bus tourism comes to Tbilisi, Georgia

City Sightseeing buses have arrived in Tbilisi. The iconic red double-decker buses, a feature of many cities around the world since the company was established in Seville, Spain in 1999, is now in six continents and almost 100 cities. The company established its Tbilisi business in November 2013, with its operations commencing in February 2014. The 90-minute tour stops at 11 major locations in Tbilisi (with 2 to 5 minute waiting times at each location): the Old City (where it commences), Freedom Square, Rose Revolution Square, Marjanishvili Square, the Dry Bridge, Konka, Avlabari, Metekhi, Akhundov Museum, the Sulfur Baths, and European Square. Passengers can hop off at any stop and see the sights, hopping back onto the next bus at any time. Alternatively, passengers can remain on the bus for the whole tour and take photographs when the bus stops at each location. There are one day (24-hour) passes (for 35 lari – about $20) and 48-hour passes for 55 lari, with family d...

FEAST OR FAMINE

Search This Blog