This story begins in a very scientific way, when the radar of the destroyer Daring detects an unindentified object a couples miles way. May 1982, the destination, the Falkland Islands.
The incident should be settled with a couple of torpedos, for the peace of mind of everyone but captain Clark's in particular. But this man has no luck, and all this because of the Duke of Edimburg who threw a mess by declaiming : "Cetaceans are often mistaken with submarines on radars". Go try and make war in such conditions !
It is in this manner that poor captain Clark's guilt inaugurates this crazy and delightful account of the adventures of the Daring destroyer and Aunt Margot, a charming blue whale,
evidently burdensome and particularly affectionnate, who instantly seduces the english soldiers and sailors. Theses men, gone to die or conquer, soon do not care about anything else
but their huge companion.
Each ordeal strengthens this disturbing friendship, while an old debate arises on board : do whales have a soul ? Seeing the whale cleaning up is great moment, just like this scene when we see the mail that the british soldiers send to their family being censored. A mail which is exclusively dedicated to praise the charms and merits of Aunt Margot. Lets not forget to enjoy, the troubles of the high commander, who is under the spell of the whale just like the others. Protection and emphasis of the and old saying : "be good to animals", this Pierre Boulle novel
is a moral one, which ends on a military cross. It is Amazing to rhapsodize like this around military matters.