Fathoms

Fathoms is award-winning Australian writer Rebecca Giggs’s narrative nonfiction debut and is quite unlike anything I've ever read before. Whilst it may appear to be all about whales and their habitat this book actually encompasses an array of topics from the natural world and the beauty and destructive power wrought by mother nature right through to philosophy and climate change, all of which are written about in expressive and dazzling prose. The sections addressing the topic of extinction of a variety of animals, including ourselves, I found moving as it is clear to see the authors profound love for the natural world and her increasing anxiety with the way humans refuse to curtail their activities or effect changes to protect our planet and all of its precious gifts. All of this makes for a beautiful reading experience, and I feel all of those who appreciate the wonders of our world will thoroughly enjoy it. It is a refreshing and compelling amalgamation of knowledge and memoir and covers a great deal of ground without ever feeling too sprawling to grasp. Many thanks to Scribe for an ARC.

At once an encyclopedic tour de force about all things to do with whales and whaling, and a lyrical exploration of humans and other species on the brink of the next great extinction, "Fathoms: The World in the Whale" is a blessing. An immersive, beautifully written mix of academic exploration, philosophical musings, and research memoir, it is a right book for a right time. Australian author Rebecca Giggs covers every aspect of whales fully (sometimes, it must be said, too exhaustively for this simple soul). A number of times, I gasped at unexpected knowledge revealed or fresh insights gained. "Fathoms" is recommended for anyone with the slightest fascination with nature and our environment.