Whalebone Theatre

By Joanna Quinn | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

About the book

'A tour de force' Sarah Winman, author of Still Life

This is the story of an old English manor house by the sea, with crumbling chimneys, draping ivy and a library full of dusty hardbacks. It's the story of the three children who grow up there, and the adventures they create for themselves while the grown-ups entertain endless party guests.

This is the story of a whale that washes up on a beach, whose bones are claimed by a twelve-year-old girl with big ambitions and an even bigger imagination. An unwanted orphan who grows into an unmarriageable young woman, fiercely determined to do things differently.

But as the children grow to adulthood, another story has been unfolding in the wings. And when the war finally takes centre stage, they find themselves cast, unrehearsed, into roles they never expected to play.

They raised themselves on stories. Now it's time for them to write their own...

'One of those big chunky stories that swallows you whole' The Times

'Beautifully compulsive ... The Whalebone Theatre will feel like a much-loved book even if you're reading it for the first time' Red Magazine

'Pure heaven, from first word to last' Sunday Times


Instant Sunday Times bestseller, September 2023

Editions of Whalebone Theatre

Hardcover
ISBN 9780241542835
Paperback
ISBN 9780241994146
EBook
ISBN 9780241994153

Read an Excerpt

'A tour de force' Sarah Winman, author of Still Life

This is the story of an old English manor house by the sea, with crumbling chimneys, draping ivy and a library full of dusty hardbacks. It's the story of the three children who grow up there, and the adventures they create for themselves while the grown-ups entertain endless party guests.

This is the story of a whale that washes up on a beach, whose bones are claimed by a twelve-year-old girl with big ambitions and an even bigger imagination. An unwanted orphan who grows into an unmarriageable young woman, fiercely determined to do things differently.

But as the children grow to adulthood, another story has been unfolding in the wings. And when the war finally takes centre stage, they find themselves cast, unrehearsed, into roles they never expected to play.

They raised themselves on stories. Now it's time for them to write their own...

'One of those big chunky stories that swallows you whole' The Times

'Beautifully compulsive ... The Whalebone Theatre will feel like a much-loved book even if you're reading it for the first time' Red Magazine

'Pure heaven, from first word to last' Sunday Times


Instant Sunday Times bestseller, September 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Whalebone Theatre about?

'A tour de force' Sarah Winman, author of Still Life

This is the story of an old English manor house by the sea, with crumbling chimneys, draping ivy and a library full of dusty hardbacks. It's the story of the three children who grow up there, and the adventures they create for themselves while the grown-ups entertain endless party guests.

This is the story of a whale that washes up on a beach, whose bones are claimed by a twelve-year-old girl with big ambitions and an even bigger imagination. An unwanted orphan who grows into an unmarriageable young woman, fiercely determined to do things differently.

But as the children grow to adulthood, another story has been unfolding in the wings. And when the war finally takes centre stage, they find themselves cast, unrehearsed, into roles they never expected to play.

They raised themselves on stories. Now it's time for them to write their own...

'One of those big chunky stories that swallows you whole' The Times

'Beautifully compulsive ... The Whalebone Theatre will feel like a much-loved book even if you're reading it for the first time' Red Magazine

'Pure heaven, from first word to last' Sunday Times


Instant Sunday Times bestseller, September 2023

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Whalebone Theatre?

Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general

Where can I read a sample of Whalebone Theatre?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241542835

How long is Whalebone Theatre and how many pages does it have?

Whalebone Theatre has 560 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Whalebone Theatre?

Joanna Quinn

Who is the Publisher of the book Whalebone Theatre?

Penguin Books Ltd

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Whalebone Theatre is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241542835) and paperback(ISBN 9780241994146) and ebook(ISBN 9780241994153)

Where can I buy Whalebone Theatre online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Whalebone Theatre from below

Where can I buy Whalebone Theatre?