Beasts of the Sea

"Beasts of the Sea" unfolds across three centuries, beginning with the shipwrecked crew of Vitus Bering's Great Northern Expedition in 1741, who find sustenance in the carcass of a gigantic marine mammal. The narrative transitions to 1859, where the Russian colony of Alaska teeters on the edge of collapse, with Governor Hampus Furuhjelm seeking the remains of what is now known as Steller's Sea Cow. This compelling tale explores themes of extinction, ambition, and the lingering impact of the past through the lives connected by this extraordinary creature. Translated from Finnish by David Hackston, it serves as both a tribute to a remarkable species and a reflection on human endeavors in the face of nature's fragility.