Swallowed by a Whale, and Other August Books

In the world of storytelling, the conflict between man and nature has always been a popular plotline. From classic tales like “To Build a Fire” to modern favorites like “The Martian,” readers are drawn to stories where heroes must navigate and survive treacherous natural environments. Daniel Kraus’s new thriller, “Whalefall,” follows in this tradition as it tells the gripping story of a teenage scuba diver who finds himself unintentionally swallowed alive by a massive sperm whale. In a recent review on our cover, Sarah Lyall explores the disgusting yet captivating elements of the book and discusses it with host Gilbert Cruz on this week’s podcast episode.

Lyall describes the book as filled with visceral and gory imagery, with the protagonist finding himself trapped in a gelatinous sea of crud inside the belly of a whale. The central question becomes whether he can find a way to escape his slimy prison. The novel offers a thrilling and suspenseful exploration of man’s struggle against an unforgiving and mysterious natural world.

In addition to discussing “Whalefall,” the podcast episode also features Joumana Khatib’s insights into other exciting books coming out in August. Some of the highlighted books include “Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Looted the West, Outfoxed Washington, and Swindled the World” by Yepoka Yeebo, “The Bee Sting” by Paul Murray, “The Visionaries: Arendt, Beauvoir, Rand, Weil, and the Power of Philosophy in Dark Times” by Wolfram Eilenberger, “Pet” by Catherine Chidgey, “Happiness Falls” by Angie Kim, and of course, “Whalefall” by Daniel Kraus.

The podcast episode concludes by inviting listeners to share their thoughts on the episode and the Book Review’s podcast as a whole. Feedback can be sent to [email protected], and the team would love to hear from their audience.

So, if you enjoy thrilling tales of man’s confrontation with nature, “Whalefall” is a book worth checking out. With its gruesome yet captivating premise, it promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats as they follow the protagonist’s harrowing journey to escape the belly of a whale. And don’t forget to tune in to the podcast episode for more engaging book discussions and recommendations from the Book Review team.