Straight from the heart: Review of 'To Become a Whale' by Ben Hobson

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Books rarely make me cry. Movies, yes. Talent shows, oh boy, yes (when those contestants get selected, they're so happy! Who could stay unaffected?!). But for some reason, while I may feel some inward emotion when reading, I hardly ever cry. A book has to be powerful to squeeze actual water from me. To Become a Whale is that type of book. To Become a Whale is the debut novel of Brisbane writer Ben Hobson (published by Allen & Unwin). It's an emotional and mesmerising read - the story of a boy on his way to manhood, fighting his way through loss and a difficult relationship with his father. Part of the story takes place at the old whaling station on Tangalooma Island, and these gritty details are both repellent and engrossing. The voice of the main character, thirteen-year-old Sam, is so believable that I quickly fell under the spell of this book and was reluctant to put it down. More than that, I began to love Sam himself, and every twist and turn of his fate tugged at my heartstrings. And yes, I cried. What I liked most about this book is that it is written for the reader, not for the author. Ben Hobson hasn't used long flowery phrases, he hasn't gone wild with metaphors or wacky similes or descriptive passages. The novel is beautifully written, yes, but always with the reader in mind, never as an indulgent authorial flight of fancy. The story is told in a clear and compelling way. If you want a riveting read with a profoundly tender heart, To Become a Whale is definitely for you. Just keep the tissues handy.