Jay Gardiner has given himself a fool’s errand—to find the remains of his deceased father in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Monastery Beach. He knows it’s a long shot, but Jay feels it’s the only way for him to lift the weight of guilt he has carried since his dad’s death by suicide the previous year.

The dive begins well enough, but the sudden appearance of a giant squid puts Jay in very real jeopardy, made infinitely worse by the arrival of a sperm whale looking to feed. Suddenly, Jay is caught in the squid’s tentacles and drawn into the whale’s mouth where he is pulled into the first of its four stomachs. He quickly realizes he has only one hour before his oxygen tanks run out—one hour to defeat his demons and escape the belly of a whale.

3.5 stars

What a unique, wild ride! Despite its flaws, I was thoroughly entertained and eagerly anticipated how it would conclude.

I listened to the audiobook and found the narrator’s performance highly enjoyable. Having heard him before, I knew what to expect and appreciated his dramatic and almost theatrical delivery. It’s clear he relishes performing these stories, as he made the narrative incredibly intense and engrossing.

This story alternates between past and present timelines and includes some language. I liked the short chapters, which made it easy to read/listen through. The writing has beautiful, descriptive prose that creates an immersive experience. While the stream-of-consciousness style was intriguing initially, it became somewhat repetitive, particularly in the middle section.

This story centers around Jay, whose father died by suicide at sea after being diagnosed with cancer, though his body was never found. Jay continues to search for his father’s remains in the ocean, despite it being several years since the tragic event. The present-day timeline coincides with our time, marked by COVID, which subtly influences the narrative. This detail might not be understood by future readers unfamiliar with the pandemic, and in my opinion, it could have been omitted from the story altogether.

Half of this book delves into Jay’s complex relationship with his father, characterized by estrangement and unresolved issues. Through extensive backstory and flashbacks, we unravel the tumultuous dynamics between them. Jay’s father exerted considerable pressure on him during his upbringing, showing little sensitivity to Jay’s emotions and often being rough. Their relationship remained unreconciled before his father’s death, leaving Jay with deep-seated “daddy issues” that are explored while he faces his own challenges. This part of the book resonated with me for its poignant messages on letting go and forgiveness. I appreciated the exploration of grief and the intricate dynamics within the father-son relationship.

The horror unfolds as Jay finds himself inside the belly of a whale, a remarkably unique setting I’ve never encountered before in literature. While some details were a bit gross and unsettling, they were not overly graphic. The writing effectively conveys the sensation of being trapped and suffocated within the confines of the mammal, creating an intensely immersive experience. As Jay’s oxygen supply dwindles, he begins to experience symptoms of oxygen deprivation. During this ordeal, he hears his father’s voice, which helps him cling to life and recall crucial memories that aid his escape efforts. While the plausibility of the situation may be questioned at times, I chose to suspend disbelief and thoroughly enjoyed the journey the story took me on.

The middle was a bit tedious and boring, and overall, I felt the story was a little too long for what it was about. I also didn’t like the abrupt ending. It felt rushed, and I wished there were another chapter or epilogue to feel more satisfied with the ending. I wanted to see people’s reactions to his ordeal, like family, friends, media, etc. 

The middle dragged on and felt rather dull, and in general, I found the story to be longer than necessary for its content. The ending was also disappointing; it felt hurried and abrupt. I would have preferred an additional chapter or epilogue to provide a more satisfying conclusion. I wanted to witness the reactions of Jay’s family, friends, and the media to his harrowing experience.

But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It offers ample opportunities for self-reflection and speculation as you delve into its narrative, making it both highly entertaining and deeply intriguing. Definitely recommend!