I was interested in this book because octopuses are my favorite animal, and I was deeply moved by the documentary, My Octopus Teacher. The Soul of an Octopus provided an opportunity to dig deeper into this incredible creature’s biology, characteristics, and fascinating relationship with human beings. Sy Montgomery’s account of her relationships with octopuses at the New England Aquarium offers so much to readers who are willing to humble themselves and have an open mind nature’s power to astonish, educate, outsmart, and deeply move us. I, for one, learned a lot from this book and appreciated Montgomery’s work for providing me a filter through which to think differently about my own consciousness, as well of those of my friends, fellow humans, my dog, octopuses, and all creatures.
Despite being a short book, there are places where I think the text could have been more streamlined and focused. I was a bit underwhelmed by the chapters that focused on Montgomery’s diving experiences. While Montgomery’s extensive efforts to see octopuses in the wild was a significant part of her own story, the book excelled elsewhere.
Overall, I recommend The Soul of an Octopus to readers who are interested in the animal world, aquatic life, psychology, mortality, spirituality, and are generally interested in thinking about consciousness and relationships through an unconventional filter.
The Once and Future Lit 