The Soul of an Octopus - Sy Montgomery

The Soul of an Octopus

By Sy Montgomery

  • Release Date: 2015-05-12
  • Genre: Nature
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 256 Ratings

Description

Finalist for the National Book Award for Nonfiction * New York Times Bestseller * A Huffington Post Notable Nonfiction Book of the Year * One of the Best Books of the Month on Goodreads * Library Journal Best Sci-Tech Book of the Year * An American Library Association Notable Book of the Year

“Sy Montgomery’s The Soul of an Octopus does for the creature what Helen Macdonald’s H Is for Hawk did for raptors.” —New Statesman, UK

“One of the best science books of the year.” —Science Friday, NPR

Another New York Times bestseller from the author of The Good Good Pig, this “fascinating…touching…informative…entertaining” (The Daily Beast) book explores the emotional and physical world of the octopus—a surprisingly complex, intelligent, and spirited creature—and the remarkable connections it makes with humans.

In pursuit of the wild, solitary, predatory octopus, popular naturalist Sy Montgomery has practiced true immersion journalism. From New England aquarium tanks to the reefs of French Polynesia and the Gulf of Mexico, she has befriended octopuses with strikingly different personalities—gentle Athena, assertive Octavia, curious Kali, and joyful Karma. Each creature shows her cleverness in myriad ways: escaping enclosures like an orangutan; jetting water to bounce balls; and endlessly tricking companions with multiple “sleights of hand” to get food.

Scientists have only recently accepted the intelligence of dogs, birds, and chimpanzees but now are watching octopuses solve problems and are trying to decipher the meaning of the animal’s color-changing techniques. With her “joyful passion for these intelligent and fascinating creatures” (Library Journal Editors’ Spring Pick), Montgomery chronicles the growing appreciation of this mollusk as she tells a unique love story. By turns funny, entertaining, touching, and profound, The Soul of an Octopus reveals what octopuses can teach us about the meeting of two very different minds.

Reviews

  • So moving

    5
    By Cctsourakis
    Love this writer and her ability to move you to see animals and the natural world in a more evolved way.
  • 10/10

    5
    By Super calafragiliatic
    This book was everything!! I couldn’t put it down!!!
  • Enjoyed it

    5
    By Dave Brickner
    Great book. Easy but informative, first person style.
  • A masterpiece

    5
    By Ashleigh645
    I felt more emotions while reading this book than I do in my actual life. Highly recommend for all animal lovers.
  • Amazing

    5
    By listentochildren
    Read this book.
  • Great book

    4
    By lucy margaret
    I really enjoyed this book, and I learned a lot about just how incredible octopuses (and cephalopods in general) are. The author’s writing style was very interesting, and I was engaged throughout. My only criticism is that some points felt like more of a biography than a science book. Great read nonetheless!
  • I will never eat Octopus again

    5
    By tricolor
    A wonderful journey into the delightful mind of our favorite cephalopods. Well written and fascinating account of her work as a volunteer at the NE Aquarium. Do yourselves a favor and read this book.
  • Romantic Read

    4
    By Saintwalker_9
    I enjoyed reading this authors first experience about meeting her first octopus.
  • The Soul of an Octopus

    5
    By Noahrocksmom
    I love this book!! I love the author’s personal journey.
  • Weird

    1
    By Robertusini
    The book sounds as if the author is on mushrooms 1/2 the time