Gini: I’m thrilled that Debbie agreed to review this Sy Montgomery masterpiece. Several years ago, I requested this title for a book club and received frowns and sighs. The Soul of an Octopus became a “no-go”.
It seems life has changed following the book Remarkably Bright Creatures which references Montgomery’s research. Readers have responded with new respect for these magnificent cephalopods, members of the class mollusks. This delightful scientific name meaning “head-feet” prompts a sense of mystery. There is the fallacy of octopi, a Latin plural. Actually “octopus” is Greek so plural adds “-es” - octopuses. Montgomery’s investigation divulges the talents of these sophisticated escape artists.
Able to slide out of the tiniest gap in the lip of an enclosed aquarium, cameras exhibited octopuses sliding across the floor for a quick, favored snack of shrimp and clams then returning home, belly full. The author delineates the variation in personalities: gentle Athena, assertive Octavia, curious Kali, and joyful Karma. Something that grabbed my attention is how snaking tentacles might wrap around an arm. While the hug recipient may be horrified at such aggression, she explains that the critter tastes the arm to decide whether the owner is friend or foe.
Each of the eight tentacles appears to bear autonomy. Although they look like floating grasses, “Octopus arms really are separate creatures,” states Researcher Scott. “Not only can they grow new arms when needed, there is evidence that, on occasion, an octopus chooses to detach its own arm, even in the absence of a predator.” Arms seem to be “shy” or “bold” as some explore while others sit back. The same is true with the eyes as tank-bound octopuses display a dominant eye that tracks outside viewers.
Observing their large heads and wandering eyes I gaze upon them in wonder – speculating on how they sense me.
I hope these snippets encourage you to read this fascinating book. Sy Montgomery offers a vivid account with the diligence she exhibits with every book. In The Good Pig she spends months examining the astonishing habits of pigs; in Birdology, she immerses herself in the study of birds. Her numerous children’s books guide young readers into the love and awe of animals and promotes youth as guardians of the earth.
Debbie: Gini is wrong—not about the book this time, but that it is not fair for her to always come first in our review. It is fair for me, because I get to take a sneak peek at the advance copy she sends me (so maybe more than fair for me).
Gini is correct. A few years or so ago she suggested that we read this book. No one meant to sigh loudly enough for her to hear, but we thought it might be a scientific journal. It just didn’t sound that good. Little did we know what we were missing. It is a lovely, beautifully written story about the distinct personalities of a octopuses at the New England Aquarium in Boston. Before reading, I knew virtually nothing about these wonderous creatures and by the time I was done, I shared the author’s love of them. I could feel her passion on every page. I smiled the whole way through it.
Sure, there are science facts, but mostly it has heart. Did you know octopuses have 3 of them? Three hearts. And blue blood because they have copper, not iron like we do, in their bloodstream. There’s a brain that wraps around its throat and it tastes with its tentacles. They are more chameleon-like than a chameleon, as they can change color in the blink of an eye, seven-tenths of a second, according to the author. They are impressive, complex creatures.
The book reads as a memoir as Montgomery includes stories about her friends and co-workers, but it all comes back to life inside the aquarium. These are stories of how their interactions with the octopuses touches their lives. Some made me laugh; some made me cry. Have you ever cried over an octopus? You just might do so with this book, the exact opposite of a boring scientific journal. It’s heartfelt, touching, hopeful, and it gives the reader a compassionate look at creatures of the sea.
Perhaps Gini is right in assuming that the book Remarkably Bright Creatures opened my mind to learning more about octopuses, but I think that when she has a good idea, such as reading about the soul of such a creature, she shouldn’t take no for an answer. She only needs to beat me over the head once!
