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A review by anjana
Fiona and the Whale by Hannah Lynn
4.0
I need to begin by saying I have a problem with the cover of this book. The silhouette of the leading lady in this (I am assuming it is her since the story focuses on predominantly her growth arc) is shown in such a barbie doll-like figure. At the same time, there are multiple mentions of the forty-plus character looking her age. I am more concerned about this cover because the content appealed to me otherwise, and I think the cover lowers the expectations when going in.
Now that that rant is over, I will progress to the story itself. We have overachieving and driven Fiona Reeves, who has poured her heart and soul into her company and does not spare much thought about anything on the periphery of her life including misjudging her relationship with her husband. In one swoop, her well-defined life changes completely, but as the author mentions in between, that is not the end of it. There is more change in the offing. This is, in essence, the realisation of a woman who sees the repercussions of her actions to the environment and then has to deal with the overwhelming weight of that realisation. Having made tentative steps towards lowering my own plastic usage, I know the shock described within these pages and although I do not think my efforts have been sizable ones, I will continue to make them as will Fiona. I have to admit that my bias in having gone through a similar thought process with regards to bulk shopping/ waste reduction, I could relate more to the story halfway through. The author had a unique idea to drop into the narrative multiple times in crucial stages and lay the groundwork for us to empathise with the ongoing narrative.
People should be forewarned that there is a lot of information hidden within about the state of our consumptions and I welcomed it because it increased the depth of the character and the fumbling Fiona did when she had to come to terms with them and what she could do with that information.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience and prior knowledge of the zero waste life.
Now that that rant is over, I will progress to the story itself. We have overachieving and driven Fiona Reeves, who has poured her heart and soul into her company and does not spare much thought about anything on the periphery of her life including misjudging her relationship with her husband. In one swoop, her well-defined life changes completely, but as the author mentions in between, that is not the end of it. There is more change in the offing. This is, in essence, the realisation of a woman who sees the repercussions of her actions to the environment and then has to deal with the overwhelming weight of that realisation. Having made tentative steps towards lowering my own plastic usage, I know the shock described within these pages and although I do not think my efforts have been sizable ones, I will continue to make them as will Fiona. I have to admit that my bias in having gone through a similar thought process with regards to bulk shopping/ waste reduction, I could relate more to the story halfway through. The author had a unique idea to drop into the narrative multiple times in crucial stages and lay the groundwork for us to empathise with the ongoing narrative.
People should be forewarned that there is a lot of information hidden within about the state of our consumptions and I welcomed it because it increased the depth of the character and the fumbling Fiona did when she had to come to terms with them and what she could do with that information.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience and prior knowledge of the zero waste life.