Electric Whales

Lyona, nicknamed Lennon, is nineteen years old - the perfect time to embark on a wild journey with his beloved girlfriend. Lennon's adventures begin with failing his language exam and the news of his father's death. Considering himself a failure, Lennon decides to end his life. But accidentally found childhood drawings depicting whales and a strange note change his plans. Moreover, Lennon has fallen in love. Daring Lana invites him to participate in illegal motorcycle races on a mythical island: she will take photos while Lennon will write a report. But something prevents Lennon from enjoying the trip: in childhood, he was in a car accident and remembers nothing of what happened to him before the age of six, and his only memory of the accident is the song "Love, Like a Dream," which was playing on the car radio at that moment. Now Lennon has panic attacks. He also needs to deal with several blind spots from his own past and must see whales near the Hebrides. This coming-of-age story resembles a crazy road movie, where the characters search for the meaning of life in Hollywood films, give concerts playing imaginary guitars, participate in illegal motorcycle races, and travel across the continent to find themselves. Alexander Kasaverde was born in Moscow in 1982. He entered the Institute of Foreign Languages, interned in Spain and the UK. He defended his dissertation on literary theory. He lived in India for several years, where he studied the traditions of Buddhism and the philosophy of Vedanta. Upon returning to his homeland, he worked as a teacher, journalist, director, and author of popular science films. He currently lives on the outskirts of the capital, writes novels, and creates educational programs for creative people.