Page to Screen Book Club: Whalefall

Please join us for a discussion of Whalefall by Daniel Kraus. Jay Gardiner has spent years wrestling with grief and guilt over his complicated relationship with his father, a hardened free diver who died before they could reconcile. When Jay dives into the waters off California's coast to recover his father's remains, he's swallowed whole by a sperm whale and given just twenty minutes of oxygen to find a way out. Trapped in the animal's stomach, Jay must survive the crushing dark while confronting memories of his father in vivid, fragmented flashback. Equal parts survival thriller and emotional reckoning, Whalefall is a tense, propulsive read that never lets go. The film adaptation hits theaters October 16, 2026. Seeing it before our discussion is recommended but not required. Place a hold or pick up a copy at the Lincoln Belmont circulation desk. AccessibilityNeed sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.