Description

Book Synopsis

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

''A gentle and uplifting tale of warding off apocalypse in a remote corner of Cornwall . . . charming'' Financial Times

''A tremendously enjoyable book'' Independent on Sunday

''Bloody brilliant'' Liz Fenwick, author of The Cornish House

It all began with the whale.

When a young man washes up on the sands of St Piran in Cornwall, it is clear to the villagers that this is not a regular day. What has brought him here? And what is the crisis only he understands, that threatens not only their community but all of civilisation?

With a global pandemic on the horizon, and a whale lurking in the bay, the villagers of St Piran must band together to survive. Intimate, funny and heart-warming, John Ironmonger tells a compelling story about the important things that hold us together, and how hope can be found, even at the end of the world.

''A warm-hearted boo

Trade Review
a warm-hearted book crammed with interesting ideas. It's a book full of doomsday predictions with a Cityboy in a starring role that makes the world seem like a more hopeful place. It's also very, very good. * EMERALD STREET *
This is a tremendously enjoyable book. And as the front pages crowd with headlines that grow ever more grim, Not Forgetting the Whale offers a very welcome alternative. -- Marianne Levy * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *
An intriguing and thought-provoking story * CANDIS *
An exciting and moving read * ESSENTIALS *
The lives of the residents in sleepy St Piran is changed when a man washes up, half drowned, on the shore of the Cornish seaside village. * THE TIMES *
It's easy to see this simply as a modern interpretation of the story of Jonah and the whale, but this charming tale by John Ironmonger.. is considerably more complex.. it's a love story of sorts and, above all, it's about hte innate goodness of people and our connections with the wider world * PRESS ASSOCIATION *
A gentle and uplifting tale of warding off apocalypse in a remote corner of Cornwall . . . charming * FINANCIAL TIMES *
This book achieves what should be impossible: a heart-warming dystopia. Forget everything you know about apocalypses. This novel, set in Cornwall, will restore your faith in humanity. * ELLE UK *

The Whale at the End of the World

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    £9.49

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    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Thu 18 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by John Ironmonger

    5 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Whale at the End of the World by John Ironmonger

      Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
      Publication Date: 04/02/2021
      ISBN13: 9781474623414, 978-1474623414
      ISBN10: 1474623417

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

      ''A gentle and uplifting tale of warding off apocalypse in a remote corner of Cornwall . . . charming'' Financial Times

      ''A tremendously enjoyable book'' Independent on Sunday

      ''Bloody brilliant'' Liz Fenwick, author of The Cornish House

      It all began with the whale.

      When a young man washes up on the sands of St Piran in Cornwall, it is clear to the villagers that this is not a regular day. What has brought him here? And what is the crisis only he understands, that threatens not only their community but all of civilisation?

      With a global pandemic on the horizon, and a whale lurking in the bay, the villagers of St Piran must band together to survive. Intimate, funny and heart-warming, John Ironmonger tells a compelling story about the important things that hold us together, and how hope can be found, even at the end of the world.

      ''A warm-hearted boo

      Trade Review
      a warm-hearted book crammed with interesting ideas. It's a book full of doomsday predictions with a Cityboy in a starring role that makes the world seem like a more hopeful place. It's also very, very good. * EMERALD STREET *
      This is a tremendously enjoyable book. And as the front pages crowd with headlines that grow ever more grim, Not Forgetting the Whale offers a very welcome alternative. -- Marianne Levy * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *
      An intriguing and thought-provoking story * CANDIS *
      An exciting and moving read * ESSENTIALS *
      The lives of the residents in sleepy St Piran is changed when a man washes up, half drowned, on the shore of the Cornish seaside village. * THE TIMES *
      It's easy to see this simply as a modern interpretation of the story of Jonah and the whale, but this charming tale by John Ironmonger.. is considerably more complex.. it's a love story of sorts and, above all, it's about hte innate goodness of people and our connections with the wider world * PRESS ASSOCIATION *
      A gentle and uplifting tale of warding off apocalypse in a remote corner of Cornwall . . . charming * FINANCIAL TIMES *
      This book achieves what should be impossible: a heart-warming dystopia. Forget everything you know about apocalypses. This novel, set in Cornwall, will restore your faith in humanity. * ELLE UK *

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