Whale Song by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Title: Whale Song
Author: Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Genre: YA fiction
Summary: Eleven year old Sarah moves to Canada with her parents when her father accepts a post to study whales off the coastline. Even though she leaves everything behind, Sarah discovers that life can become complicated in a heartbeat. Or in the absence of one.
The Take-Away: One of the very charming aspects of Tardif's tale are the Eskimo stories that are woven naturally into the narrative. Sarah learns many of them from her new best friend's grandmother. Every one holds a lesson about life, but Sarah and Goldie love them for the adventure and strength of the characters. Sarah draws on this strength when her father is forced to decide whether or not to fulfill her mother's wishes: Don't let her live through the assistance of a machine.
While this aspect of the book is the focus of the marketing, really, it's not until the end that the reason for it becomes apparent. Many of the challenges Sarah developed as much of her character. Sarah is one of the only white children in her new hometown and is subjected to racism. One classmate has a father who physically and mentally abuses her.
The narrative does flow Sarah into adulthood. The story didn't give enough time to show her grow and change her voice, however. The same girl tells every aspect of the story, even though the initial narrative is told from the eleven-year-old's point of view. I also felt that more time could have been spent developing the historic setting. After all, assisted suicide is controversial today; in 1977 it would have been explosive. Sarah withdraws into herself, and little interaction between her and the rest of the town is relayed. Understandably, Sarah draws on the same artistic bent that was her mother's livelihood.
Recommendation: It's a tough topic that is handled well. Definitely read it with your child.
Technorati tag: Book review
2 comments:
Thank you so much for the great review and for taking the time to read Whale Song. I appreciate both very much.
I found your comment about taking more time to develop the controversial issue of '77 and assisted suicide very interesting. I find it very worthwhile to hear other people's opinions and to think about them, so thank you for sharing.
From my research it was something not mentioned often and in that area of Canada it was also very isolated. They did not have many TV stations or radio stations. They were very cut off in the 70's from the rest of Canada. My feeling is that there wouldn't have been much said back then except locally.
I also liked that you mentioned some different aspects to the story--child abuse--that other reviewers overlooked.
Many thanks again! You're a great host!! :)
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