Rebecca Giggs – Fathoms: The world in the whale (Literature Review)

Fathoms: The world in the whale is the debut non-fiction book by Australian writer, Rebecca Giggs, whose previous work has appeared in a variety of publications including Meanjin, Best Australian Science Writing and The New York Times Magazine.

I did not really know much about Rebecca Giggs or her work before reading Fathoms. But something about it appealed to me. Sparked by Giggs’ own encounter with a beached whale a few years ago, Fathoms offers a unique introspective into the world of whales, the ecosystem and the bigger part they play in how the world operates as a whole.

Throughout the book, Giggs highlights how the whale is often seen as something of a tourist exhibition – particularly if seen beached or in the wild – rather than a majestic beast that has for years helped balance out the oceans and ecosystem simply by existing.

Meticulously researched, the book spans from the west coast of Australia to Japan and everywhere in between as Giggs shines a light on everything from the origins of whales and how they migrate with the seasons (and why this is important in maintaining the world’s natural equilibrium and history), the kitsch culture of whale souvenirs and their spark in popularity as well as the illegal whaling sector.

What really drew me into Fathoms, however, was Giggs’ writing style. In an information-dense book such as this, it is at times a little difficult to follow and see the story through the facts and figures. Giggs has countered this by including her own experiences, such as the first time she saw the skeleton of a whale at a local museum, her time whale watching with a group of tourists and – the catalyst of it all – when she tried to help a beached whale.

The inclusion of these anecdotes makes the book more readable than others I have come across in the non-fiction genre. It gives the reader some space, room to breathe and digest the information with which they have been presented. This was, in my opinion, a welcome reprieve given that natural history and environmental non-fiction are not genres I read too often.

At times, it is almost memoir-like as we follow Giggs on her journey not only from a scientific point of view, but a personal one as well. It is my belief that if the book were not to include these more personal passages, it would not be as interesting as it is.

Admittedly, Fathoms: The world in the whale is not for everyone. There are times when it is quite heavy and difficult to navigate. But if you’re a fan of natural history, or just want to understand more about the ecosystem and how the world works, give this book a go. You might be surprised.

This book is available in Australia through Scribe Publications. To find out more about the books they publish, visit their website. Alternately, more information about Rebecca Giggs can be found on her website.

This review is part of my new interview and review series, Spotlight on Australian Authors. Click on the below image to read articles you may have missed.