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kat7890erina's review against another edition
3.0
I warmed to this the more I read. Whilst I wasn't in love with the plot, I really enjoyed some elements of the story. The friendship between Lucy and Flo was a highlight. I feel like the power of the author's voice was showcased more in the second half of the book.
eliseelk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
zoe_abbott's review against another edition
2.0
Firstly I'd like to mention how beautiful the cover design is, it reminds me of Matisse. However what i expected to be a slightly poetic and gentle read, was far from that. I true blue Australian scene with likewise characters. Not my usual read, and I really struggled to finish it. However it was so casual and strangely everyday 'relatable' I could just pick it up and start reading without any need to reflect or rewind. I loved the full circle plot line and also the message about body confidence and individuality. I easy read but didn't love it.
rhiannonvv's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
zoehamilton's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
essjay1's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written, clever use of language, the octopus chapters are poetic in style. A real tribute to the natural beauty of Tasmania, not to mention Hortle’s characters - she captures the Tasmanian vernacular well. As an exploration of identity, body image, loss and grief, this is an extraordinary novel. Hard to believe this is the authors first novel.
lou_robertson's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! What an extraordinary book. It explores the concepts of trauma and loss, self discovery and identity, and is intricately woven with the insightfulness of how humans impact on their environment in uncanny detail.
The novel centres around Lucy, who is recovering after major surgery. It follows her journey of navigating her new body, friendships she forms, how she develops a deep fascination with the local octopuses and how they come to shape her body and sense of self.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but it was so beautifully written with a unique and eloquent style; thoroughly engaging and a very worthwhile read.
Wow! What an extraordinary book. It explores the concepts of trauma and loss, self discovery and identity, and is intricately woven with the insightfulness of how humans impact on their environment in uncanny detail.
The novel centres around Lucy, who is recovering after major surgery. It follows her journey of navigating her new body, friendships she forms, how she develops a deep fascination with the local octopuses and how they come to shape her body and sense of self.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but it was so beautifully written with a unique and eloquent style; thoroughly engaging and a very worthwhile read.
henrymarlene's review against another edition
4.0
Another engaging Australian novel - we have such wonderful writers in Australia, and Erin Hortle is no exception, transporting me to Tasmania. ‘The Octopus and I’ is an exploration of the connections between humans, flora and fauna: their differences, similarities, and the current issues that we face in trying to encourage survival and understanding, and the journey of Lucy, trying to find her way back into her life and accepting her own body after breast cancer. Lucy, like her fellow characters – Flo, Harry, Jem – are strong and complex. And it is the “octopus incident” that really sets the wheels in motion for Lucy, and where she starts to find her strength in questioning what she wants from her own body and others. Interestingly, the animal characters are equally as powerful as the humans: their thoughts speak to you within their own chapters and in their interactions with Lucy. It‘The Octopus and I’ is an exploration of the connections between humans, flora and fauna: their differences, similarities, and the current issues that we face in trying to encourage survival and understanding, and the journey of Lucy, trying to find her way back to accepting her own body after breast cancer. Lucy, like her fellow characters – Flo, Harry, Jem – are strong and complex. And it is the “octopus incident” that really sets the wheels in motion for Lucy, and where she starts to find her strength in questioning what she wants from her own body and others. Interestingly, the animal characters are equally as powerful as the humans: their thoughts speak to you within their own chapters and in their interactions with Lucy. It is quite beautiful and languid how Erin manages to capture their physical movements, and curiosity for humans, like Lucy. The fact that everyone has their own story to tell and is give a chance to ‘speak’ reflects the mood and themes of this book.
Thank you @allenandunwin for the ARC to review.
Thank you @allenandunwin for the ARC to review.
nina_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
All I can say is wow I was blown away by this exciting and creative debut. This book was so imaginative and it has gone straight to the pool room for me – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and it will be a favourite for me for the year.
Set in Tasmania, The Octopus and I charts the story of Lucy who is recovering from breast cancer and has opted for reconstructive surgery which gives her larger breasts than she had before. She is now trying to make sense of her new body - her own acceptance and that of others such as her partner Jem as well as her feelings around her sexuality and no longer being able to have children. The new breasts become things she starts to hate.
In an odd turn of events Lucy is involved in an accident while trying to save a female octopus. She survives but her new breasts do not. This accident and her decision about how to move forward with her body are the catalyst for her to begin to rebuild her life and self. From this point Lucy’s fascination with the local octopuses grows and becomes an integral part of the storyline. The female form of the octopus, the sensuality of the octopus legs, the way the octopus leaves it marks on Lucy’s body – all of this was such a strange but wonderful aspect to the book.
My favourite parts are the chapters that begin and end the book and are also interspersed throughout. These chapters are written from the POV of animals – a young male seal, an octopus looking to safely lay her eggs and a mutton bird whose chick has been stolen. The author somehow makes these non-human stories seem so real and the linking to the main storyline for each of them is clever and very original.
I also loved the way the Tasmania coastline is described and explored in detail. The animals, the environment, the water, the weather are all brought vividly to life. This richness adds to the sense of wonder that the animal elements brings.
This is one of the most unique books I have ever read and I know that I haven’t been able to clearly articulate all of the subtle themes that are explored throughout but I certainly felt them as I read it. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Set in Tasmania, The Octopus and I charts the story of Lucy who is recovering from breast cancer and has opted for reconstructive surgery which gives her larger breasts than she had before. She is now trying to make sense of her new body - her own acceptance and that of others such as her partner Jem as well as her feelings around her sexuality and no longer being able to have children. The new breasts become things she starts to hate.
In an odd turn of events Lucy is involved in an accident while trying to save a female octopus. She survives but her new breasts do not. This accident and her decision about how to move forward with her body are the catalyst for her to begin to rebuild her life and self. From this point Lucy’s fascination with the local octopuses grows and becomes an integral part of the storyline. The female form of the octopus, the sensuality of the octopus legs, the way the octopus leaves it marks on Lucy’s body – all of this was such a strange but wonderful aspect to the book.
My favourite parts are the chapters that begin and end the book and are also interspersed throughout. These chapters are written from the POV of animals – a young male seal, an octopus looking to safely lay her eggs and a mutton bird whose chick has been stolen. The author somehow makes these non-human stories seem so real and the linking to the main storyline for each of them is clever and very original.
I also loved the way the Tasmania coastline is described and explored in detail. The animals, the environment, the water, the weather are all brought vividly to life. This richness adds to the sense of wonder that the animal elements brings.
This is one of the most unique books I have ever read and I know that I haven’t been able to clearly articulate all of the subtle themes that are explored throughout but I certainly felt them as I read it. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
bookengulfer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25