Pod

A Novel

By: Laline Paull

Narrated by: Jane Oppenheimer

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

An astonishing and immersive new novel, Pod takes the listener into the depths of the ocean—and into the world of its fascinating inhabitants—through the eyes of the beautiful Ea, a spinner dolphin.

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 prevents her from mastering the art of 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, and 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, and 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.

©2023 Laline Paull (P)2023 Podium Audio

A beautiful, mature story of Dolphins and Humanity

A beautifully written and told story that tackles so many captivating ideas at once. My only complaint is that it was too short and didn’t have enough time to completely wrap up all of the character stories. It’s still one of my top 10 books despite that.

Its Not Watership Down;

Nor is it The Bees, which was more engaging. I often struggled to focused on this listen. I never really cared about any of the characters nor their outcome. Its not awful, but don't use a full credit; for free (or deep discount) it might be worth your listening hours.

Absolutely captivating!

The storyline was incredibly written and pulled you in so much so that you forgot it was about ocean life. I will never look to the waters and not think of this book.

Surprisingly Good

I was surprised as this took off from a slower start and then took off and hooked you in with details of exciting well written developments.

Instinctively Moving

This book highlights the importance of togetherness during tragedies. It is also a reminder that this planet does not belong to humans alone and we must learn to share it and take care of it.

A beautiful and amazing story of hope amidst tragedy

Paul brings the ocean and its inhabitants to life in a way that opens one’s eyes to the possibility of other forms of sentience that mirror our own. Her tale is also a devastating indictment of humanity’s heartless exploitation and disconnection from Mother Earth. The story of the bottlenose dolphin pod that has adopted fascism in response to the threat posed by humans, believing such militarism to be necessary for survival, provides an allegory for our times—one that calls us to seek salvation and sanctuary in an expression of love for all life.

A message to savage humans

A beautifully written and narrated story, which I hope will wake up all who read it to think twice about the insatiable consumerism of our species, to never, ever consider a cruise, however seductive, and to take loving action in support of dolphins, whales, all marine life, the oceans and ultimately all life on earth.

Remarkable in every respect

Brilliant mix of compelling narrative, environmental critique, and marine science. I learned a lot and could not put it down. Totally absorbed in the lives of the various creatures and their diminishing world.

A Barbara Kingsolver recommendation

Barbara Kingsolver listed this novel when asked for three books she’d recommend (on the Ezra Klein podcast). On the heels of her Demon Copperhead and Verghese’s Covenant of Water—-both stunning novels—-I downloaded this listen immediately. It’s a captivating, inventive story with a strong female lead. The actor narrating is excellent. A wonderful story and a great listen.

Perspective changer type book!

I will start with the negative that it was at times hard to follow, BUT I am certain that the author did that internally because this is a book from the point of view of sea creatures ,not humans.

This is such an eye opening book. loved it so much and have recommended it to all my friends. nothing quite like it. I felt like I was in the minds of wrasse, whales, and dolphins!! makes me want to go pick up trash and do my part for our dying world.

one of my favorite books it the clan of the cave bear and this is almost in that mold but really not! sorta oddly sexual at times but again, the author is in the minds of animals, not humans.