The story follows Alex, a 13-year-old boy, and his 82-year-old grandfather, Léon, as they embark on an improbable journey through the Himalayas. Their mission is a deeply personal quest: to find Alex’s father, who disappeared into the mountains years earlier. The "white whale" of the title serves as a central metaphor, representing the elusive and obsessive nature of the search for a missing loved one, much like Captain Ahab’s pursuit in Moby-Dick . Key Themes