The Wind Whales of Ishmael

Before you read The Wind Whales of Ishmael by Philip Jose Farmer, it’s probably best to dust off your copy of Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, in order to understand where this book is coming from. The protagonist, Ishmael, is the lone survivor of the Pequod and as he floats adrift Ishmael finds himself falling out of our time and into the distant future where things are no longer the same. The Earth has blood-sucking vegetation and a blood-red sun, there are barren canyons where the Pacific Ocean once roared! Oceans have nearly evaporated completely and man finds himself in air balloons hunting the leviathans of the air. However, if Ishmael thought his adventures are over, he has another thing coming, because they take to the heavens in show more a pursuit of a beast that is more fearsome and deadly than he has ever known… Screw Moby-Dick! Moby-Dick was simply child’s play in comparison to what’s in store for our dear Ishmael…

The Wind Whales of Ishmael by Jose Farmer is a fantastic, alternate reality that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the very end. In a lot of ways this is a steampunk novel in a sci-fi world, before steampunk even existed as a genre, so it’s definitely somewhat of an intriguing read, yet for many it will be a little bit outdated as far as pure sci-fi goes. Nevertheless, Farmer has an excellent ability to pull the reader into the story and when it comes to defining what a word-smith is, well Farmer definitely convinced me, even though The Wind Whales of Ishmael is a little short. Not to mention that the editing is first class, the formatting is adequate and the cover is just absolutely gorgeous!

First published in 1971, Titan Books has acquired the rights to republish this novel and better it in my opinion. Farmerphiles all over the world may be doing flips of ecstasy due to this new print run, which has a foreword by Michael Croteau and an afterword by Danny Adams, and people who are not familiar with Philip Jose Farmer will find The Wind Whales of Ishmael an excellent introductory novel to his work. So it’s definitely worth a look if you’re aching to get your hands on a true and proper science fiction novel that will take your breath away.

Of course, I would be lying if I said that the book was without fault. Here and there it becomes plainly obvious that the novel was written in a whole other era, back in the 1970′s when science fiction was still somewhat localized – if that’s the right word to use – and at times you wonder whether it is worth stepping back in time just to fast-forward yourself to a place that doesn’t seem to thrill readers as much anymore. Science-fiction has grown as a genre to include different sub-genres, which mainly pushes the boundaries of the final frontier, instead of staying on Earth. It’s difficult to imagine, and I could go on for hours explaining my side of the argument, but frankly when you just need a good read that isn’t long and which will help you reminisce about when the genre was young and pure, The Wind Whales of Ishmael is perfect.

So, the verdict? Well, Farmerphiles will adore this re-published version and science-fiction nuts will have a splendid time on a rainy day. It’s a good book to familiarize yourself with the author and Titan did a really good job when they breathed new life into the Grand Master Novel Series.

(Review originally posted at http://www.killeraphrodite.com/2013/05/book-review-wind-whales-ishmael-phillip-j... ) show less

Farmer picks up the story of Ishmael where Moby Dick leaves off. ishmael ends up in a far future Earth, where the remains of humans hunt flying 'whales' while the sun slowly burns out and the oceans dry up.
This reminded me a lot of a John Carter of Mars novel, both in circumstance and events that happen during the book. Not great, yet not terrible either. Put this one in the 'Bizarre Classic SciFi' category if you are interested in that sort of thing.

Even if you've never read it, almost every reader know the story of [b:Moby-Dick|153747|Moby-Dick|Herman Melville|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327940656s/153747.jpg|2409320]. Opening with "Call me Ishmael[,]" Hermann Melville's novel is the tale of the white whale and obsessed Captain Ahab's quest to kill it, a hunt that does not end well for anyone. Only Ishmael, the narrator, survives to put the story down, drifting on the coffin of his bunkmate, Queequeg.

And that's where [a:Philip José Farmer|10089|Philip José Farmer|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1234714074p2/10089.jpg] begins [b:The Wind Whales of Ishmael|435294|The Wind Whales of Ishmael|Philip José Farmer|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360978792s/435294.jpg|424221]. As he show more floats adrift, Ishmael finds himself falling out of our time and into the future, the far future, landing adrift in a future Earth dramatically different from our own. The oceans have nearly evaporated, life has evolved to the air, and man survives in air balloons hunting the leviathans of the air.

The Wind Whales of Ishmael is an intregeuing and fun story, if a bit dated. I recently read Edgar Rice Burrough's [b:A Princess of Mars|40395|A Princess of Mars (Barsoom, #1)|Edgar Rice Burroughs|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1332272118s/40395.jpg|1129624], and I couldn't help but see echoes of John Carter in the Farmer's Ishmael. He arrives in a strange and foreign world, is saved, and saves, a beautiful princess, and soon rises to prominence using his specialized knowledge and skills. The tale is short and exciting, the plot creative and the setting strange and exotic. Ishmael is an every man, a hero that survives and thrive a hundred thousand years in the future.

First published in 1971, Titan Books has put out a new edition of The Wind Whales of Ishmael with a foreword by Michael Croteau and an afterword by Danny Adams. show less

I thought it was outstanding. Not too long either!

Really liked it when I read it growing up. Have to read it again to comment though.

De zon dooft en de oceanen drogen op. Bijna al het leven op Aarde verdwijnt in het niets. Dan komt de dag en Ishmael valt in een wereld waar walvissen de lucht doorklieven...