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jgintrovertedreader 's review for:
Island of the Blue Dolphins
by Scott O'Dell
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I know this book is a classic and an award winner but in all honesty, it would have upset me as a kid. I was never into realistic survivalist books, preferring fantasy instead. So Karana's abandonment, a few deaths in her community and family, and some animal deaths would have wrecked me.
As an adult, I can step away from that a bit. The book is loosely based on the real life story of the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island. I learned about her when my husband and I visited Channel Islands National Park back in very early 2020 and was curious to read more about her.
Her story is so sad to me. As an introvert, I joke about never wanting to see people again but I can't imagine actually experiencing it.
O'Dell gives us a taste of what her life might have been like, but he chose to write her story as if she were a young teen when she was forgotten (In reality, she was an adult). Her fear and loneliness, her sorrow when her people left. I felt as if I were on that beautiful, isolated island with her, sharing in her small victories and worrying over her setbacks.
I have to admit that a part of me questions if it was appropriate for a white man to write about a Native American woman and her belief system and way of life. I don't know the answer to that, though I feel that he approached his subject with empathy and compassion. Mostly I'm glad history hasn't forgotten her the way she was forgotten in real life, even if she primarily lives on in the pages of a historical fiction book written for children.
Island of the Blue Dolphins isn't going to be a suitable choice for every reader (see my first paragraph) but I still recommend it to those who find the synopsis interesting.
As an adult, I can step away from that a bit. The book is loosely based on the real life story of the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island. I learned about her when my husband and I visited Channel Islands National Park back in very early 2020 and was curious to read more about her.
Her story is so sad to me. As an introvert, I joke about never wanting to see people again but I can't imagine actually experiencing it.
O'Dell gives us a taste of what her life might have been like, but he chose to write her story as if she were a young teen when she was forgotten (In reality, she was an adult). Her fear and loneliness, her sorrow when her people left. I felt as if I were on that beautiful, isolated island with her, sharing in her small victories and worrying over her setbacks.
I have to admit that a part of me questions if it was appropriate for a white man to write about a Native American woman and her belief system and way of life. I don't know the answer to that, though I feel that he approached his subject with empathy and compassion. Mostly I'm glad history hasn't forgotten her the way she was forgotten in real life, even if she primarily lives on in the pages of a historical fiction book written for children.
Island of the Blue Dolphins isn't going to be a suitable choice for every reader (see my first paragraph) but I still recommend it to those who find the synopsis interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent