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A review by katykelly
Pod by Laline Paull
4.0
Another dark animal-narrated epic from Paull.
4.5 stars
I had The Bees in my head long after finishing it. Paull's technique of relating a story from the point of view of an animal may be not new, but the way she did it seemed to be. Not making them humans in another creature's body, but bringing their experience into a human-accessible context.
Pod is recognisably the same style. Dolphins from different tribes/breeds, with their obvious size/cultural differences here clash in a bit of a epic. There are several narratives to follow, and not just from the dolphin world - I learned about the remora, the wrasse and found myself cringing at the effect humans were having on the ocean homes of all.
With Ea, we have an adolescent protagonist, centre of the stories, whose decision to leave her own pod sets off chains of events that both bring other characters and stories into one and sets up quite a brutal storyline.
It feels well researched. Obviously I can't say that from my own knowledge, and nothing in the book tells us that Paull has done so, but the behaviours, habits, communication methods, species facts all seem to be used to make this a realistic-feeling portrayal of several different characters and the lives of pods.
There is an almost spiritual side to the animals that I would love to know more about, not with an interest in spiritualism, but to know how much of it is true, and their use of hallucinogenic/pain-relieving smaller creatures to relieve their own ills.
The family lives of a pod, the structure and hierarchy, these made the story feel believable. I am aware of other reviews being negative about the very graphic and constant scenes regarding forced sexual dominance, which though distasteful to read, also seem to ring true, as dolphins are known to be sexually aggressive. I would have liked the author to include notes/references in the book about where her facts were found, and just what in the book is true and what was embellished/fictionalised. To me, it felt difficult but almost necessary - nature isn't kind. Social species do assert power through dominance. Females in other species aren't treated with equality necessarily.
This became very dark, and felt very similar in tone and structure to The Bees, I did enjoy the multiple viewpoints and range of characters - the remora in particular, as well as Devi the smart leader of the female Tursiops. Ea grew quickly into adulthood - for her the ocean was not as forgiving as little Nemo found it in Disney, this is not that kind of world.
Fascinating, exciting and makes you want to learn more about our fellow animals we can't see from our vantage point on land. Oh and stop throwing plastic away.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
4.5 stars
I had The Bees in my head long after finishing it. Paull's technique of relating a story from the point of view of an animal may be not new, but the way she did it seemed to be. Not making them humans in another creature's body, but bringing their experience into a human-accessible context.
Pod is recognisably the same style. Dolphins from different tribes/breeds, with their obvious size/cultural differences here clash in a bit of a epic. There are several narratives to follow, and not just from the dolphin world - I learned about the remora, the wrasse and found myself cringing at the effect humans were having on the ocean homes of all.
With Ea, we have an adolescent protagonist, centre of the stories, whose decision to leave her own pod sets off chains of events that both bring other characters and stories into one and sets up quite a brutal storyline.
It feels well researched. Obviously I can't say that from my own knowledge, and nothing in the book tells us that Paull has done so, but the behaviours, habits, communication methods, species facts all seem to be used to make this a realistic-feeling portrayal of several different characters and the lives of pods.
There is an almost spiritual side to the animals that I would love to know more about, not with an interest in spiritualism, but to know how much of it is true, and their use of hallucinogenic/pain-relieving smaller creatures to relieve their own ills.
The family lives of a pod, the structure and hierarchy, these made the story feel believable. I am aware of other reviews being negative about the very graphic and constant scenes regarding forced sexual dominance, which though distasteful to read, also seem to ring true, as dolphins are known to be sexually aggressive. I would have liked the author to include notes/references in the book about where her facts were found, and just what in the book is true and what was embellished/fictionalised. To me, it felt difficult but almost necessary - nature isn't kind. Social species do assert power through dominance. Females in other species aren't treated with equality necessarily.
This became very dark, and felt very similar in tone and structure to The Bees, I did enjoy the multiple viewpoints and range of characters - the remora in particular, as well as Devi the smart leader of the female Tursiops. Ea grew quickly into adulthood - for her the ocean was not as forgiving as little Nemo found it in Disney, this is not that kind of world.
Fascinating, exciting and makes you want to learn more about our fellow animals we can't see from our vantage point on land. Oh and stop throwing plastic away.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.