Brief synopsis:
Set on the Dorset coast in the first half of the 20th century The Whalebone Theatre follows the lives of the Seagraves, a dysfunctional, quirky aristocratic English family navigating a changing world and discovering who they really are as society’s expectations change. Packed with loveable characters who weave in and out of the story the family saga follows the exploits of three young members of the family who go from putting on plays in the make-shift theatre of whale bones on the beach near their home to fighting for their country and embarking on spy adventures. Cristabel, the feisty heroine in the story who grows up neglected by her parents but loved by the house staff, finds adventure and escapism through her theatre as a child. As an adult she proves herself to be fearless, working as a special operative in the war. Her story is one of survival, resilience and the courage to be yourself.
Key themes:
Family
Relationships
War
Social class differences
Gender expectations
The power of play
Read this book when: you want to escape into a family saga with characters to love and a heroine to cheer on from the sidelines
