Today (April 14th 2025) is National Dolphin Day! How do you plan to celebrate? Donate to a charity to save the dolphins, find someplace you can swim with the dolphins, or learn some news facts about dolphins? I choose to read a book about dolphins. Sort of. Not a factual book, a fictional science fiction book, but still about dolphins.
Dolphin Island by Arthur C. Clarke
Johnny finds himself alone in the middle of the ocean after the craft he in on crashes. He is saved by some passing dolphins who take him to a mysterious place called Dolphin Island
This is partly a coming of age story, partly a love letter to the oceans (especially dolphins), and partly an ode to the ingenuity of man. Johnny finds himself far from home where he learns a lot about himself as he learns about the ocean and all the creatures in it. I like the wonder in Johnny as he falls in love with the ocean. I like that the book acknowledges the fact that animals are intelligent. I like the science fiction elements set in a realistic story. I didn't like the way the animals were treated. Some of the attitude toward the animals is due to the fact that is was published 60 years ago but it is not easy to ignore it. The moral dilemma of changing and using sea life to help humans is mentioned very briefly but is not really an issue. They casually dig up a nest of turtle eggs to eat and attach electrodes to the brains of orcas without qualm. It was still fun to read but some of the attitudes are outdated
No comments:
Post a Comment