Grayson

By: Lynne Cox

Narrated by: Lynne Cox

An early-morning workout becomes an enchanting adventure when a record-holding swimmer reunites a baby whale and its mother. An inspiring, irresistible story for all ages, from the beloved author of Swimming to Antarctica.

It's five o'clock in the morning and still dark. Swimming outside the wave break off the Catalina coast, training for her next long-distance swim (she has already crossed the English Channel twice), 17-year-old Lynne Cox senses that something is following her. She worries that it might be a great white shark.

Instead, it's a baby gray whale, separated from its mother on their journey to the Bering Sea 8,000 miles away. Lynne needs to leave the water to rest, but she knows that if she does, the calf will follow her onto shore and die. To save its life, she must reunite mother and calf in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.

Miracles happen now and then. Sometimes we recognize them when they occur; sometimes it takes years of experience to understand. Looking back on that chilly morning, a beloved author and inspirational speaker shares her personal story of love, hope, loss, and faith.

©2006 Lynne Cox; (P)2006 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"Inspirational, almost spiritual." (Kirkus Reviews)
"The combination of retelling her once-in-a-lifetime experience with her observations on life will have timeless appeal for all ages." (Publishers Weekly)
"Grayson is moving and thrilling in its simple language as Cox laments the inadequacy of words to express profound feelings but demonstrates the exhilaration of the effort." (Booklist)

Radical whale human tenderness

Tenderness is radical, and this is a story about interspecies radical tenderness. I enjoyed everything about it.

Brief and lovely.

This slight memoir was touching and lovely. Lynne was a teenager, training for a Channel swim off the coast of California, when she discovered she was being followed by a baby Gray Whale who had lost his mother. She swims with him for where the pod of whales was heading (sailors have called in spottings of the whales once the plight of the Baby Gray was relayed), to reunite him with his mother. An abandoned or lost baby whale will only survive a few hours, so this was a race against time and against the odds.

Lynne felt an immediate empathy towards the large baby she started to call Grayson, almost seemingly able to communicate with him. They were separated a few times, and Lynne tested her stamina and fortitude in her efforts. I doubt I am giving away anything big by saying they were successful, although given the ending of every other animal-related memoir I've read, that might in fact be a surprise. But it was a tender and beautiful story. Very short, the story of just a couple of hours' time, the audio is the same length so it's like it was occurring in real time. The audio is read by the author, who has a languid and calm tone, even when relating worry and confusion. I think if the book had been longer, her tone might have had a somnolent effect, but in this brief tale, it was perfect.

Not a great epic, not action packed or filled with excitement, this story nonetheless kept me riveted, hoping against hope that somehow in the vast Pacific Ocean, Lynne would manage to pull off a miracle, which she most certainly did in this memoir.

My brother sent this to me when I was feeling low

And it immediately changed my perspective and captured my imagination. I listened to the whole thing in less than 24 hours. Such a beautiful story!

Beautiful, inspiring, thought provoking account

Would you listen to Grayson again? Why?

Yes, most absolutely and already have ... it's like a fairytale only it really happened! Amazing mental graphics brought to life by Lynne Cox. Brought back quite naturally my own childhood thought processes and how wonderful it can be to engage with nature on a personal level.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Grayson?

At the point where she realizes the baby whale has been following her. Lynne's excitement is most evident and palpable.

What about Lynne Cox’s performance did you like?

Lynne's voice is as soothing as a lullaby, her tone a song as she retells her most amazing story. Very vivid descriptions of the entire encounter. It is almost as if one is there alongside her in the Pacific water of Southern California experiencing the action and adventure with her.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

An amazing story of the interaction of man and nature, innocence, empathy and determination.

Any additional comments?

Will most definitely hear it for many years to come; moreover, will absolutely expect to engage my grandkids in this book. It is an experience that we would all dream of having at some point in our lives. Bravo Miss Cox.

Wonderous!

There's so much magic in the world, and it's wonderful seeing somebody experience so much of it!