Soundings

Journeys in the Company of Whales: A Memoir

“A gorgeous journey…You will be glad you’ve joined her.” —Susan Orlean, author of On Animals and The Library Book

In this lyrical memoir of motherhood, love, and resilience that “captures rarely observed natural places” (San Francisco Chronicle) a woman and her toddler son follow the grey whale migration from Mexico to northernmost Alaska.

In this “striking, brave[,] and often lyrical” (The Guardian) blend of nature writing, whale science, and memoir, Doreen Cunningham interweaves two stories: tracking the extraordinary northward migration of the grey whales with a mischievous toddler in tow and living with an Iñupiaq family in Alaska seven years earlier.

A story of courage and resilience, Soundings is about the migrating whales and all we can learn from them as they mother, adapt, and endure, their lives interrupted and threatened by global warming. It is also a riveting journey onto the Arctic Sea ice and into the changing world of Indigenous whale hunters, where Doreen becomes immersed in the ancient values of the Iñupiaq whale hunt and falls in love. Big-hearted, brave, and fearlessly honest, Soundings is an unforgettable journey.

Critic reviews

"With conviction, confidence, and other broadcast journalism skills, author/narrator Doreen Cunningham provides an inspiring narration of her lyrical memoir."

Good book

Loved her observations of whales and their impact on her life. Also loved the way she took her son Max on her whale adventures.

Beautiful!

Having been an avid watcher of the gray whale migration along the coastline of California for many decades, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the beautiful story of the author's journey. What a remarkable first hand account with some interesting history and scientific information thrown in for good measure. This is one I will listen to again.

Fantastic

This was a fantastic listen! ❤️❤️❤️ I loved Doreen travels and tribulations. I learned so much about the whales & the whale hunters in Alaska.

Incredible Journey

This book takes you on an incredible journey. It reminds me of home in Alaska.

Soundings

The overarching theme of climate issues and the diminishing population of the water mammals carried the story. However the underlying love story stood out for me. The author talked about loving and not giving in to it but not if she was happy or at peace with her decision.