Inside the Whale

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Fizzing with eclectic characters and poignant imagery, Inside the Whale is a story to relish, and a book you'll want to recommend with passion to everyone you know. Stephanie Stanford, recently widowed, must tell her family the truth. But the past is complicated and difficult to untangle. Meanwhile, Michael's memories are squashed into a shoebox (along with Queen Mathilda's Dickin Medal for Bravery - for pigeons) ready for his move to hospital. Michael has never been good at putting things into words; he's more comfortable with the click of Morse code. But Anna, a young healthcare assistant, has the patience - and rare tenderness - to eke out his story. And so he begins.

Reviews

Fresh, funny and wise, balancing emotional turmoil with a vivid turn of phrase * Marie Claire *
Funny, sad, unputdownable - an absolute tour de force -- Katie Fforde
An elegant, funny and moving first novel... a wonderful, memorable musing on life, fate and love * Sunday Express *
A deeply affecting story ... Rooney confidently moves between two narrators and shifting times, vividly recreating Blitz-torn London and the Africa of the same period * Guardian *
This heartfelt debut novel offers a witty twist on a WWII romance * Red *

Author Bio

Jennie Rooney was born in Liverpool in 1980. She read History at the University of Cambridge and taught English in France before moving to London to work as a lawyer. Inside the Whale, was a Richard and Judy debut choice, Tesco Book Club selection and shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award. Her other novels include The Opposite of Falling and, most recently, Red Joan.