Book Review: 'The Soul of an Octopus' by Sy Montgomery

✰✰✰✰ Award-winning author Sy Montgomery is a naturalist, who has written several books for children and adults. In this book, she delves into the mysterious world of the octopus. The octopus is an invertebrate with mind boggling skills like camouflage. They grow up alone and teach themselves how to survive. Montgomery had the amazing opportunity to get to know several octopuses up close and in person at the New England Aquarium. [Visit the website here.] 

Each octopus she encounters has a very different personality. How can this be? Aren’t they all the same? Do they have a soul? Montgomery thrills at receiving her first octopus hug and experiences despair when one escapes and dies. Over the course of her research, Montgomery is able to watch the life cycle of the octopus, and shares all the wonders with us. Filled with curiosity, Montgomery even takes up scuba diving. This book is filled with both engaging and heartfelt experiences that the author shares with the reader. And on a final note, using the bottom corner of the book as a flip-book is really cool. Try it, and you’ll see. 

The Bottom Line: The author becomes enamored with (of all things) octopuses as she does research on whether these intelligent creatures have a soul or not. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the author’s enthusiasm for all things octopus. She even learns to scuba dive in order to see these creatures in their natural habitat. At its heart, this is a book about obsession. This was an enjoyable read for a non-swimmer, and I learned a few things. Recommended with enthusiasm for individuals interested in animal intelligence, science, and oceans. Also, recommended for book clubs looking to discuss something different. 

Book Club Notes: I’ve wanted to pick a book in the 500s for a very long time. However, it had to be just the right book. Sy Montgomery’s writing style is approachable and interesting, and a book about an ocean creature seemed to be the ticket for this year. Still, I wasn’t sure how it was going to be received. Overall, we enjoyed this book. On a scale from 1 - 5, ratings ranged from 3 - 4.5; that’s an average of 3.847. We found the book to be scientific, but interesting. The author captured more feelings between humans and animals. Some of our members liked the second half of the book better because of the scuba diving references. In sum, this is a quick, easy read; we appreciated the pictures in color and the Fisherman’s Prayer. The author does include herself a whole lot in the book, so it’s a bit autobiographical. And on a final note, many of us will think twice before eating these intelligent creatures. 

To supplement the discussion, some of our members watched the following: Masterminds: Secrets of the Octopus and an author talk.

And here is a list of links to discussion questions for book clubs interested in tackling this scientific book: Author webpage, LitLovers, Dare County Library Book Club, Las Vegas Nonfiction Book Club, The Reading Bug, and BooKey. 

Details: The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery. Paperback published by ATRIA paperback in 2015. 272 p. ISBN: 978-1-4516-9772-8 

Author Chat: Cindy Angell Keeling

If you ever have the opportunity to chat with author Cindy Angell Keeling, she'll tell you about how serendipity played a role in writing her first novel. Indeed, a year or two before the pandemic, I somehow found myself at a conference for romance writers. Although intrigued, I felt somewhat out of my element as I'm more of a mystery writer. By lunchtime I was feeling a bit depleted when the lovely lady standing next to me in the lunch line struck up a conversation. By the end of lunch, I was feeling inspired and knew I had made wonderful new friend. 

Fast forward to now, Cindy is a published author! Cindy's debut novel, Dream City Dreaming, is a wonderful trip into historical fiction, and I loved the surprise twist ending. Recently, Cindy and I had the chance to reconnect. When I asked if she had any advice for those of us still dreaming about getting our novels published, she warmly agreed to share her experience. And so, in the following interview, here is a little bit about Cindy and her unique path to seeing her debut novel published.

1. Tell us about yourself.

I’ve always been a writer and an avid reader. As a young girl, I loved reading books like Little House on the Prairie, Little Women, and later, The Chronicles of Narnia, to name a few. And I was a big letter writer—something my adult children find hard to believe! I corresponded with friends from Girl Scout camp, exchanged “backwards” letters with my cousin—to be read in a mirror, and even had a pen pal in Holland. In college, I wrote to my parents on the back of old class schedules.

I received my first guitar when I was fourteen, and it wasn’t long before I began writing songs. That was my main expression of writing for years and years—until a little voice began whispering, Maybe you could write a book. My first response was Naaah. But eventually the little voice won out. That was the beginning of my author journey.

2. Tell us about your book.

DREAM CITY DREAMING features a young widow who brings her fourteen-year-old son to be mentored during the spectacular 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. While at the fair, she has an unexpected encounter which leads to seeking a broader vision of herself as a woman within the constraints of societal norms. Her son has his own adventures, and grapples with the balance between family expectations and pursuing his own dreams. Central to their lives is the enigmatic mentor who has dreams and aspirations of his own.

3. What inspired you to write this book?

I’d written my first manuscript and was doing some research for a new story idea. The Columbian Exposition kept popping up. Intrigued, I requested some books from the library and was so enthralled by this astounding event that I knew my next story had to be set at this world’s fair. Thus, began my journey of research and figuring out the story. It was definitely a labor of love, and there were many serendipities along the way.

4. Are you working on a second book? What is it about?

I do have a second book in the works. (Remember that first manuscript I mentioned?) I’m not quite ready to talk about it, but I will say that it is a historical that bounces between 2009 and WW2.

5. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

I do! 1.) Read books on writing craft. Two of my favs are Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, and Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell. 2.) Stories evolve. It may take several drafts to really get the story down, and a few more drafts to flesh it out and add details. That’s what takes it to the next level. (For the record, my published manuscript was my 12th draft.)  3.) I recommend not showing your first couple drafts to anyone, as it’s easy to be derailed by a well-intentioned comment. (Same goes for talking about it.) 4.) Take a break between drafts (3 - 6 weeks) and return to your project with fresh eyes. (It will continue to “cook” on its own.) 5.) Be open to serendipities. I love how “the universe” drops just the right detail or opportunity in your lap when you least expect it.

6. What do you enjoy besides writing?

Art museums, cooking and gardening, playing clawhammer banjo, cuddling my six backyard chickens, and spending quality time with my husband. And reading, of course!

7. What are you reading?

I just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea, and its sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, by TJ Klune. Sweet, funny, and wise, with incredibly endearing characters.

8. What’s one fun fact about you?

I have an identical twin sister.

If you're looking to chat with Cindy, you may find her at one of the local presentations she does about the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. You can check out her website for more information. And don't forget to check out her book, Dream City Dreaming. It's like an enchanting trip back in time with an ending I didn't see coming. (I love that!)