Alternatively titled I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings, this is a novel about humpback whales and the people who love them. Marine behavioral biologist Nathan Quinn has spent his adult life recording and analyzing the songs of humpback whales, trying to answer the question "What is the meaning of their songs?" Just as he feels he is closing in on an answer (pastrami on rye with mustard???) Nate disappears at sea, leaving his longtime collaborator Clay to carry on his work and untangle a handful of mysteries, with the help of perky assistant Amy Earhart, Kona the white Rastafarian surfer dude from New Jersey, Nate's ex-wife and her lesbian lover, and his benefactor the Old Broad. Moore's characters are inspired: Kona and the whaley boys will stick with you for a long time.I've read a handful of Moore's books. (Mr. Ether has read them all, thanks to me. Or did I read them thanks to him? Debatable ... ) They are smart, well written and highly entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed Fluke. I also recommend Lamb, the surprisingly poignant retelling of the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of his best friend Biff. Moore's books are a good antidote to the blues brought on by too much seriousness.
