When Stella Prize–shortlisted author Rebecca Giggs encountered a humpback whale stranded on her local beach, she began to wonder how the lives of whales might shed light on the condition of our seas—and of our humanity. Fathoms: The World in the Whale is a work of profound insight that blends history, philosophy, and ecological science to explore what these awe-inspiring creatures reveal about our collective futures.

Giggs joins MWF Artistic Director Michaela McGuire to discuss what it means to write about nature in a time of technological change and ecological crisis.

Fathoms is the first book for Melbourne Reads—an online book club for readers keen to share ideas about great new books and dig deeper into the literary, cultural, and historical contexts from which these books emerge.

Recorded for MWF in 2021.

In partnership with the Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne