Fathoms: The World in the Whale by Rebecca Giggs: book review

Fathoms: The World in the Whale (2020) is set on the shoreline of Australia.

The author encountered a humpback whale stranded on her local beach near Perth, Australia. She details its decomposition, the trail of spectators over the ensuing weeks, the animals that investigated it, and the government’s dilemma on what to do with the carcass.

Initially, the author sought to know why whales beach themselves, why they wanted or needed to die. Then she sought answers about pollutants and toxicants, and the ‘superabundant’ cyclones and storms, and the seascape, until she examines a host of issues: ‘pollution, climate, animal welfare, wildness, commerce, the future, and the past. Inside the whale, the world.’

Why do humans seek contact with animals? The author looks at this question from the perspective of ancient maps, museums, art, literature, photography, whale song and sound, as well as technology to selfie photos. What can observing whales teach humans about the ‘complexity, splendour, and fragility’ of life?

‘What is it about whale song that feels, still, so futuristic?’ I like this account, and the author’s descriptions of hearing the whale song above water and underwater.

Giggs deconstructs the whale as if it is still decomposing, stranded on the beach – from meat to migration to mass stranding, and from blubber to bones.

The title, Fathoms, is taken from a unit of length to measure the depths of the sea, and from Shakespeare’s Tempest lines: ‘full fathom five thy father lies; Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes: Nothing of him that doth fade.’

This is a lengthy, fascinating look at the whale from tip to tail, inside and out, in all of its vastness and all of its detail.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

Pir-E-Kamil - The Perfect Mentor by Umera Ahmed: book review

The Perfect Mentor pbuh (2011) is set in Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan. The novel commences with Imama Mubeen in medical university. She wants to be an eye specialist. Her parents have arranged for her to marry her first cousin Asjad. Salar Sikander, her neighbour, is 18 years old with an IQ of 150+ and a photographic memory. He has long hair tied in a ponytail. He imbibes alcohol, treats women disrespectfully and is generally a “weird chap” and a rude, belligerent teenager. In the past three years he has tried to commit suicide three times. He tries again. Imama and her brother, Waseem, answer the servant’s call to help Salar. They stop the bleeding from his wrist and save his life. Imama and Asjad have been engaged for three years, because she wants to finish her studies first. Imama is really delaying her marriage to Asjad because she loves Jalal Ansar. She proposes to him and he says yes. But he knows his parents won’t agree, nor will Imama’s parents. ...

Flaws in the Glass, a self-portrait by Patrick White: book review

The manuscript, Flaws in the Glass (1981), is Patrick Victor Martindale White’s autobiography. White, born in 1912 in England, migrated to Sydney, Australia, when he was six months old. For three years, at the age of 20, he studied French and German literature at King’s College at the University of Cambridge in England. Throughout his life, he published 12 novels. In 1957 he won the inaugural Miles Franklin Literary Award for Voss, published in 1956. In 1961, Riders in the Chariot became a best-seller, winning the Miles Franklin Literary Award. In 1973, he was the first Australian author to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for The Eye of the Storm, despite many critics describing his works as ‘un-Australian’ and himself as ‘Australia’s most unreadable novelist.’ In 1979, The Twyborn Affair was short-listed for the Booker Prize, but he withdrew it from the competition to give younger writers the opportunity to win the award. His autobiography, Flaws in the Glass...

Sister cities discussed: Canberra and Islamabad

Two months ago, in March 2015, Australia and Pakistan agreed to explore ways to deepen ties. The relationship between Australia and Pakistan has been strong for decades, and the two countries continue to keep dialogues open. The annual bilateral discussions were held in Australia in March to continue engagements on a wide range of matters of mutual interest. The Pakistan delegation discussed points of interest will include sports, agriculture, economic growth, trade, border protection, business, and education. The possible twinning of the cities of Canberra, the capital of Australia, and Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, were also on the agenda (i.e. called twin towns or sister cities). Sister City relationships are twinning arrangements that build friendships as well as government, business, culture, and community linkages. Canberra currently has international Sister City relationships with Beijing in China and Nara in Japan. One example of existing...

FEAST OR FAMINE

Search This Blog