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ClareR (6253 KP) rated Pod in Books

Feb 12, 2023  
Pod
Pod
Laline Paull | 2022 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Having read, loved and recommended The Bees many times (and The Ice, too!), I thought I knew what to expect from Laline Paull. Well, I was right and wrong!

Firstly, I loved Pod.
Secondly, it gave me a lot to think about.
Thirdly, how does Laline Paull put herself in a dolphins shoes (flippers? Sorry…) and not make it sound like a children’s book? And I should stress: this is NOT a children’s book.

Paull may have anthropomorphised dolphins, various fish, all and any sea life, but she has stayed pretty close to what I’ve learnt is their true nature (thank you David Attenborough!). Dolphins are very intelligent, playful and seem to know what humans want (maybe that’s just me reading more into these things). But they’re also hunters, they have a pecking order, and I don’t think you’d want to be at the bottom of it if you were a dolphin!

This novel shows the joyful side of being a dolphin, the way that they must work together for the greater good of the pod. It also shows how violent they are - there’s even a dolphin rape scene that was every bit as upsetting as if it had been a human.

In amongst all the dolphin drama is a message for us humans. We see the damage the human race is doing to the oceans: pollution, over-fishing, capturing dolphins for food, entertainment, or warfare.

Pod is graphic in places. It most definitely doesn’t pull its punches - and why should it?

This novel is not sentimental, jam packed with happy, child-friendly dolphins. Pod looks at the real struggles of sea life (and there’s not just dolphins involved). These dolphins are fighters, authoritarian, protective of one another, followers of tradition as well as migration routes, they deal with the results of humanity’s selfishness and cost-cutting.

The imagination and empathy that must have gone in to writing this: I’ve seen how a dolphin, a whale, a wrasse, a clam, a remora and a sea anemone feel and behave (I like to think so, anyway!).
How could I NOT love this book? 🤷🏼‍♀️
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2609 KP) rated The Beckoning Ice in Books

Apr 25, 2020  
The Beckoning Ice
The Beckoning Ice
Joan Druett | 2013 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder Approaches the South Pole
In February of 1839, the US Exploring Expedition is approaching Cape Horn. While many of the sailors are looking forward to their first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean, Wiki Coffin has other concerns. A crewman on the ship he is currently on has slit his own throat. It was well known that Midshipman Dove was unhappy with the life of a sailor, but Wiki doesn’t believe he committed suicide, and he soon begins to find evidence to back up his theory. But who committed the crime?

It’s been several years since I read the previous book in the series, but it didn’t take me long to slip back in Wiki’s world. The author does a fantastic job of bringing life on the sea in the 1830’s and the expedition to life, and she’s made me curious to learn more about what really happened during the voyage in real life. Unfortunately, her love of all things nautical did slow down the mystery at times, but after reading the previous books, I was still interested to know what was happening to the ships that I didn’t mind too much. And it was never long before Wiki was back to working on the mystery. There are a lot of characters, but they are developed enough to help us remember who they are, and we get little reminders as well when they step on page. If the subject at all interests you, I definitely recommend you check out this series.
  
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Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Life of Pi in Books

May 16, 2018  
Life of Pi
Life of Pi
Yann Martel | 2001 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.2 (21 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was full of unexpected surprises. Although, the first 36 chapters more so tell the story of the young boys life than his journey at sea, it is filled with such strong emotions that you feel as though you're there with him. His struggles through adolescence make you familiar with Pi in a way we need to really understand why he does all the things he does. When he is overcome by hopelessness, you feel it, when he is overjoyed, you feel that, as well. This is a truly well written work of art with quite an ending. The animal lover in us all cringes at some of the scenes as we play them in our minds but it is understandable and necessary. I would definitely recommend this.
  
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Melanie Caldicott (6 KP) rated The Lamplighters in Books

Apr 29, 2021  
The Lamplighters
The Lamplighters
Emma Stonex | 2021 | Contemporary, Horror, Thriller
8
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARe-copy in exchange for this honest review. You can also read my review at my blog - roamingthroughbooks@wordpress.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://roamingthroughbooks@wordpress.com
This atmospheric mystery is beautifully written incorporating evocative imagery, quiet menacing tension and spare poetic prose.
The novel examines themes of isolation, male mental health, identity and truth with a profundity that stay with you long after you have finished reading.
The imagery of the sea representing the men's emotions contrasting with the domestic metaphors of the women effectively contrast the two different worlds they occupy and how divided their relationships became.
The mystery outcome of this book was satisfying for any lover of thrillers but the real beauty of this book comes from the poetry, the emotion and the tragedy of life lived with regret.