Name: Pod
Rating: 3.416666666666667 (6 reviews)
ISBN: 9781639363711

Laline Paull

A Novel

LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION, 2023 'Laline Paull succeeds splendidly in rising to the most important literary challenge of our time - restoring voice and agency to other-than-human beings' Amitav Ghosh 'A pacy, provocative tale of survival in a fast-changing marine landscape' Daily Mail Bestselling author Laline Paull returns with an immersive and transformative new novel of an ocean world - its extraordinary creatures, mysteries, and mythologies - that is increasingly haunted by the cruelty and ignorance of the human race. Ea has always felt like an outsider. She suffers from a type of deafness that means she cannot master the spinning rituals that unite her pod of spinner dolphins. When tragedy strikes her family and Ea feels she is partly to blame, she decides to make the ultimate sacrifice and leave. As Ea ventures into the vast, she discovers dangers everywhere, from lurking predators to strange objects floating in the water. But just as she is coming to terms with her solitude, a chance encounter with a group of arrogant bottlenoses will irrevocably alter the course of her life. In her terrifying, propulsive novel, Laline Paull explores the true meaning of family, belonging, sacrifice - the harmony and tragedy of the pod - within an ocean that is no longer the sanctuary it once was, and which reflects a world all too recognisable to our own. PRAISE FOR THE BEES 'Beautifully written and unusual . . . A brave and original story that highlights our modern environmental crimes, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricacies of bee world' Sunday Times 'One wild ride. A sensual, visceral mini-epic about timeless rituals and modern environmental disaster. Paull's heart-pounding novel wrenches us into a new world' Emma Donoghue '[A] gripping Cinderella/Arthurian tale with lush Keatsian adjectives' Margaret Atwood 'An extraordinary feat of imagination' Madeline Miller

Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction

TW: Rape / sexual assault, violence, animal cruelty

I genuinely do not know whether this is the right rating for this book because I cannot say I was completely in love with it but I also think it is important and uncommon.

To be honest, I would have not picked this out on my own. My housemate bought it on a blind date with a book deal and essentially went, this book is <i>weird</i> - all the dolphin sex and sperm-filled ocean, you should read it and let me know what you think. The blurb just would have not grabbed me. And frankly, I am still not sure whether I am glad that I have read it.

I liked the overall message of the book. It managed to incorporate the impact of anthrophic activity on the ecosystem of the ocean into the narrative very well; I especially liked where it was more subtle and the reader was drawn to make their own conclusions, just by being told that something was unusual or not normal. I do think this is going to be a thought-provoking read for many, many people.

However, it really tested my limit of how many times I could read about animal sex and sperm and rape. I feel like there was some eroticism in the descriptions and the writing that the novel did not really need in order to relay its message (though mating and reproduction are indeed crucial for the survival of any species).

I also found the writing somewhat inconsistent. It seemed to alternate between documentary-like narration and some more lyrical paragraphs. It almost felt like it would dip from omnescient, neutral POV into a more intimate and personal POV. I understand that some poetic license was employed to - ironically - antropomorphise the animals but sometimes it really felt like it veered too much into fantasy writing.

Still, I think this is the kind of book that you have to try out for yourself.

TW: Rape / sexual assault, violence, animal cruelty

I genuinely do not know whether this is the right rating for this book because I cannot say I was completely in love with it but I also think it is important and uncommon.

To be honest, I would have not picked this out on my own. My housemate bought it on a blind date with a book deal and essentially went, this book is <i>weird</i> - all the dolphin sex and sperm-filled ocean, you should read it and let me know what you think. The blurb just would have not grabbed me. And frankly, I am still not sure whether I am glad that I have read it.

I liked the overall message of the book. It managed to incorporate the impact of anthrophic activity on the ecosystem of the ocean into the narrative very well; I especially liked where it was more subtle and the reader was drawn to make their own conclusions, just by being told that something was unusual or not normal. I do think this is going to be a thought-provoking read for many, many people.

However, it really tested my limit of how many times I could read about animal sex and sperm and rape. I feel like there was some eroticism in the descriptions and the writing that the novel did not really need in order to relay its message (though mating and reproduction are indeed crucial for the survival of any species).

I also found the writing somewhat inconsistent. It seemed to alternate between documentary-like narration and some more lyrical paragraphs. It almost felt like it would dip from omnescient, neutral POV into a more intimate and personal POV. I understand that some poetic license was employed to - ironically - antropomorphise the animals but sometimes it really felt like it veered too much into fantasy writing.

Still, I think this is the kind of book that you have to try out for yourself.

Wow, this was such a unique and essential read for me. It's eye-opening, heartbreaking, and breathtaking. I'd definitely recommend it - it's brutal at times, but as is nature and what we are doing to our planet.

Rebecca Bream

Wonko the Sane

Shalini Basu

Bestselling author of The Bees Laline Paull returns with an immersive and transformative new novel of an ocean world - its extraordinary creatures, mysteries, and mythologies - that is increasingly haunted by the cruelty and ignorance of the human race. Ea has always felt like an outsider. As a spinner dolphin who has recently come of age, she's now expected to join in the elaborate rituals that unite her pod. But Ea suffers from a type of deafness that means she just can't seem to master spinning. When catastrophe befalls her family and Ea knows she is partly to blame, she decides to make the ultimate sacrifice and leave the pod. As Ea ventures into the vast, she discovers dangers everywhere, from lurking predators to strange objects floating in the water. Not to mention the ocean itself seems to be changing: creatures are mutating, demonic noises pierce the depths, whole species of fish disappear into the sky above. Just as she is coming to terms with her solitude, a chance encounter with a group of arrogant bottlenoses will irrevocably alter the course of her life. In her terrifying, propulsive novel, Laline Paull explores the true meaning of family, belonging, sacrifice - the harmony and tragedy of the pod - within an ocean that is no longer the sanctuary it once was, and which reflects a world all too recognizable to our own.

Pod A Novel

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