Soul of an Octopus

A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness

By: Sy Montgomery

Narrated by: Sy Montgomery

Sy Montgomery's popular 2011 Orion magazine piece, "Deep Intellect", about her friendship with a sensitive, sweet-natured octopus named Athena and the grief she felt at her death, went viral, indicating the widespread fascination with these mysterious, almost alien-like creatures. Since then Sy has practiced true immersion journalism, from New England aquarium tanks to the reefs of French Polynesia and the Gulf of Mexico, pursuing these wild, solitary shape-shifters.

Octopuses have varied personalities and intelligence they show in myriad ways: endless trickery to escape enclosures and get food; jetting water playfully to bounce objects like balls; and evading caretakers by using a scoop net as a trampoline and running around the floor on eight arms. But with a beak like a parrot, venom like a snake, and a tongue covered with teeth, how can such a being know anything? And what sort of thoughts could it think?

The intelligence of dogs, birds, and chimpanzees was only recently accepted by scientists, who now are establishing the intelligence of the octopus, watching them solve problems and deciphering the meaning of their color-changing camouflage techniques. Montgomery chronicles this growing appreciation of the octopus, but also tells a love story. By turns funny, entertaining, touching, and profound, The Soul of an Octopus reveals what octopuses can teach us about consciousness and the meeting of two very different minds.

©2015 Recorded by arrangement with Atria, a Division of Simon and Schuster, Inc. (P)2015 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Good for the first 20% - Then disappointing

I was really excited about this when I saw it, because there aren't many that I know of about the intelligence of octopuses. The first 20% of the book contained some interesting situations and examples of octopus intelligence, but nothing I had not heard before. I was hoping to hear something really interesting and new. After that, it was riddled with facts about other animals more so than the octopus.

The hardest part about this audio book was that the author was the reader, and she really tries too hard to inject emotion into it. Over-emphasizing is the only way I can describe it. For me, it was super-distracting.

I follow Octopus Instagrams Now

The author made octopus’ relatable and interesting to me for the first time ever in my life.

Informational and exciting.

Such a great story that delves into the life of octupuses. loved every minute of it!

Nothing bad here

Beautiful book. You'd have to be incredibly jaded to find fault with this simple, elegant and insightful book.

Who knew

I learned so much. I will never look at octopuses. ( yes Octopuses) the same again. I learned a lot. We have such an amazing planet.

Who would think octopus this interesting?

Narration is clear.

Content is fascinating. Octopuses are wondrous creature. I will now forever accord them more respect.

I never expected it would make me cry

Any additional comments?

I was expecting some interesting science writing, and while there are plenty of interesting facts about octopuses, this is really a memoir about "octopuses I have known and loved." I came to love them too.

wonderful

Loved this book!!! I was riveted by the stories of Octavia and Kali .. highly recommend

Listening is the best way to savor this true story.

I enjoyed going slowly through the wonders of this book. An ideal audible choice. If you love the ocean and its creatures, you are in for a treat.

Terrific

I rarely read non-fiction, but this was so good. I learned so much, and felt the author's emotions throughout. I highly recommend this.