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The Whalebone Theatre

The Whalebone Theatre

This book by Joanne Quinn provoked a range of reactions.   A few readers gave up as they found it boring.  Some found that it could have been greatly condensed, and that the actual whalebone theatre was not significant to the tale, and certainly wasn't unique (the Cornish Minack Theatre, for instance) and its omission would not have greatly changed the book.

The book fell into two parts - the first the childhood years, and secondly their early adulthood during the War.   The descriptions of the upper class way of life, and the detached childhood upbringing gave a good deal of information on the social history of the time.  They were largely left to their own devices, and some people wondered at how they managed to understand classical literature with such an unstructured education.  Rosalind's character was generally disliked, and her untimely end was considered appropriate!

The second part, dealing with the War years, was uncomfortable for some readers - bringing back unwelcome memories.  Some readers found aspects of it a little far-fetched, though others felt it to be interesting but with some 'loose ends' in relation to a few characters.

Overall, it was found to be too lengthy, irritating in parts, but with some excellent descriptive passages and well-drawn characters.   To be recommended but with reservations.

Review by June Norris