Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings (Today Show Book Club #25)

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It's a hit!

Well this was fun. Reminds me a great deal of Vonnegut and James Morrow, except that the characters are actually real people, and very sympathetic... (show more)

Well this was fun. Reminds me a great deal of Vonnegut and James Morrow, except that the characters are actually real people, and very sympathetic. Answers a lot of questions about whale songs, which, you know, I've often wondered, and the explanations in this book are as good as any number of others I've come across.

In case you need a brief intro, whale researchers in Hawaii get sucked into big serious plots, have romance, get in danger, even bleed a little for their cause. Good exploration of science and its purpose, and the whats for in a lot of the research that happens. Nice look at conservation and general nuttiness in the various protest groups as well.

There's a little bit of Douglas Adams style of humour (and creativity) in there as well, overall a very satisfying introduction to a writer I'd heard a great deal about and had been meaning to try. I will certainly look for more of his work. (show less)

 

 

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No, it's a flop!

Kind of like a cocktail of the sperm donations of Jasper Fford, Douglas Adams, and Terry Pratchet, gargled in the throat of someones Jesus-loving h... (show more)

Kind of like a cocktail of the sperm donations of Jasper Fford, Douglas Adams, and Terry Pratchet, gargled in the throat of someones Jesus-loving hippie grandmother. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook User

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  Loved this novel. Whatever predictions you formulate in the first half of the novel, they will almost certainly not be right. The plot takes a great big twist (in classic Christopher Moore style), so you have to suspend disbelief quite a bit, but it's articulate and interesting enough that this wasn't too much of an issue for me. One of my favourite things in any book I've ever read is a scene early on in this book (forgive me if this isn't quite right, a friend borrowed the book so I can'... (show more)

  Loved this novel. Whatever predictions you formulate in the first half of the novel, they will almost certainly not be right. The plot takes a great big twist (in classic Christopher Moore style), so you have to suspend disbelief quite a bit, but it's articulate and interesting enough that this wasn't too much of an issue for me. One of my favourite things in any book I've ever read is a scene early on in this book (forgive me if this isn't quite right, a friend borrowed the book so I can't quote it exactly), where several whales are looking at the researcher in front of them and wondering about the skinny, asthmatic kid who swims funny. It's hysterically funny, and I'm not doing it justice at all.

  Check this book out. It's really funny and it will keep you entertained. I'd put it 4th on my list of faves by Moore (after Practical Demonkeeping, Bloodsucking Fiends and it's sequel, You Suck). Worth reading, definitely. (show less)

   

  by Angi Fletcher on May 27, 2009 at 02:31AM

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  I had only read one other Christopher Moore book before this and I was disappointed, I had heard that Moore was a wonderfully witty and funny writer. I had been unimpressed with Practical Demonkeeping ... HOWEVER, Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings completely caught my attention and funny bone. This book is completely original and it had me laughing out loud on many occasions. I found myself completely boggled and wanting to find out where Moore was taking this fascinating story.
  ... (show more)

  I had only read one other Christopher Moore book before this and I was disappointed, I had heard that Moore was a wonderfully witty and funny writer. I had been unimpressed with Practical Demonkeeping ... HOWEVER, Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings completely caught my attention and funny bone. This book is completely original and it had me laughing out loud on many occasions. I found myself completely boggled and wanting to find out where Moore was taking this fascinating story.

  Marine behavioral biologist Nate Quinn and his montley crew of characters are studying the Humpback whale to determine why the males sing. Nate starts to think he's lost his mind when he sees 'BITE ME' on the flukes of a whale ... you need to read it to understand. (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on May 24, 2009 at 04:13PM

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