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2.84k reviews for:
Rendezvous mit einem Oktopus: Extrem schlau und unglaublich empfindsam: Das erstaunliche Seelenleben der Kraken
Sy Montgomery
3.89 AVERAGE
2.84k reviews for:
Rendezvous mit einem Oktopus: Extrem schlau und unglaublich empfindsam: Das erstaunliche Seelenleben der Kraken
Sy Montgomery
3.89 AVERAGE
i feel sort of jipped from this reading….lol. the author calls this an “exploration of consciousness,” but you can hardly call it that. she introduces interesting points regarding consciousness and it’s parallels to octopuses, but doesn’t go into any exploration or depth beyond that. she’s basically like “omg i wonder what it would be like to be an octopus, 3/5 of their neurons r in their arms, do they have collective consciousness teehee!” like dude give me more. this book is lackluster in research and thought.
i would consider this book to be more so biographical. she discusses herself and relationships with others while working at the aquarium a lot during this book. i would equate around 60% of their information written in this book to be focused on herself and her friends. that’s just not what i came here for. i came here to learn more about octopus and consciousness. the author finds herself to be so important in this book, that she dedicates the entire final chapter of this book (titled consciousness btw) to a once in a lifetime encounter with a octopus she had while diving with friends. and then to wrap up the book, she basically writes in just a paragraph’s length, omg i love octopus, and it’s so interesting to think of what their experience of consciousness is like.
finally, just gotta get this off my chest, the aquariums treatment of Kali and that octopuses fate is absolutely abysmal and inhumane. and the author is complacent in that whole situation. i really question the author’s moral compass. she doesn’t address the ethical argument of animal keeping, and sides with the aquarium regarding their treatment of kali.
what i will say as someone who went into this book knowing nothing about octopus, is that it was an okay-ish introduction to octopus as a species, and i am leaving this book far more interested in octopus. do i think you could have retained the same amount of information on octopus by reading a few articles online? absolutely yes. but if you like philosophy, are interested in octopus, and want an incomplete, lack luster fusion of the two topics, read ur heart out, because The Soul of an Octopus is the book for you.
i would consider this book to be more so biographical. she discusses herself and relationships with others while working at the aquarium a lot during this book. i would equate around 60% of their information written in this book to be focused on herself and her friends. that’s just not what i came here for. i came here to learn more about octopus and consciousness. the author finds herself to be so important in this book, that she dedicates the entire final chapter of this book (titled consciousness btw) to a once in a lifetime encounter with a octopus she had while diving with friends. and then to wrap up the book, she basically writes in just a paragraph’s length, omg i love octopus, and it’s so interesting to think of what their experience of consciousness is like.
finally, just gotta get this off my chest, the aquariums treatment of Kali and that octopuses fate is absolutely abysmal and inhumane. and the author is complacent in that whole situation. i really question the author’s moral compass. she doesn’t address the ethical argument of animal keeping, and sides with the aquarium regarding their treatment of kali.
what i will say as someone who went into this book knowing nothing about octopus, is that it was an okay-ish introduction to octopus as a species, and i am leaving this book far more interested in octopus. do i think you could have retained the same amount of information on octopus by reading a few articles online? absolutely yes. but if you like philosophy, are interested in octopus, and want an incomplete, lack luster fusion of the two topics, read ur heart out, because The Soul of an Octopus is the book for you.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
This was so delightful! I learned a lot and really enjoyed the narrative style. Some of the metaphors were a little too jarring for me (especially any equation of scuba diving with death or goosefish with Susan Boyle.) However, the author is obviously so passionate about these animals that her enthusiasm became mine. I take animal psychology books with a grain of salt, but as a cat owner, I have to agree that animals have far more distinct personalities than science gives them credit for.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Beautiful writing - who knew octopuses are so intelligent?!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Tidbits of information between long passages of descriptions of touching an octopus. Surprisingly boring.
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
reflective
slow-paced
The octopus is one of my favorite animals. My family, friends and even students all know this, and as such, I have quite a collection of octo themed gifts. I first saw this book at the American Museum of Natural History years ago and added it to my to-read list, but was a little hesitant to pick it up as I thought it would be too dry and science-y. Last month, a friend sent a link to a NYT article, which was promoting a podcast episode, where Sy Montgomery was interviewed. I listened and fell in love with her contagious excitement about all things octopus. After that, I decided to listen to her book rather than read it, and I’m so glad I did.
This is a must-listen/read for my fellow octopus lovers. I learned so much about them, and all of it has only reinforced my respect for and adoration of them. Montgomery’s stories about the octopuses she develops deeply personal relationships with are surprisingly emotional. This read also made me eager to revisit the New England Aquarium, where many of her octopus encounters take place.
Montgomery does a thorough job in explaining encounters with and stories about other sea-life as well, which, while informative, I wasn’t as interested in. (Hence the 4/5 star rating) However, I still really enjoyed her book and would definitely consider another title by her if I found the topic to be of interest. I would describe this as a memoir/informative text and recommend it for anyone with a genuine interest in or curiosity of octopuses.
This is a must-listen/read for my fellow octopus lovers. I learned so much about them, and all of it has only reinforced my respect for and adoration of them. Montgomery’s stories about the octopuses she develops deeply personal relationships with are surprisingly emotional. This read also made me eager to revisit the New England Aquarium, where many of her octopus encounters take place.
Montgomery does a thorough job in explaining encounters with and stories about other sea-life as well, which, while informative, I wasn’t as interested in. (Hence the 4/5 star rating) However, I still really enjoyed her book and would definitely consider another title by her if I found the topic to be of interest. I would describe this as a memoir/informative text and recommend it for anyone with a genuine interest in or curiosity of octopuses.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Learned a lot about octopuses in this book. Really do connect to the octopuses in this book