Grayson

By: Lynne Cox

Narrated by: Lynne Cox

Length: 2 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

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)

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A Whale of an encounter

This book was an easy listen and I liked the fact that the narrator was also the author. Her experience is quite something to hear about and described very well.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Soothing-great book

This book surprised me. The author has a wonderful reading voice that is soothing and a little hypnotic. This is a story about a great experience and is told in a motivating, and loving way. I had a little tear at the end, but in a good way.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Pleasant & Refreshing story

What made the experience of listening to Grayson the most enjoyable?

You are able to feel the emotions.

What did you like best about this story?

A kind pleasant & unusual story.

What does Lynne Cox bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Feeling like I was there.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The kindness and warmth felt through the story.

Any additional comments?

Relaxing and yet compelled to keep listing.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Heartwarming Story

What made the experience of listening to Grayson the most enjoyable?

I loved the story and the description of all of the wildlife that she saw on her swim.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Swimming with giants!

Would you consider the audio edition of Grayson to be better than the print version?

Didn't read the print version.

What did you like best about this story?

Knowing those west coast waters, and specifically having done a lot of swimming in the very locale of the story, I was mesmerized by her experience. Her mental discipline to keep it together after so many hours in the water is amazing. Yet, a water bug myself, I think the extra adrenaline would help. What a joyful precious experience for her.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Lynne Cox?

No offense, but probably not. Her reading ability is flat. However, her true story carried the day!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, two: her hanging around patiently to wait for the baby whale to reappear, and then getting to look so closely into the whale's eye.

Any additional comments?

Wouldn't mind swimming with her in warm water where whales abound. I know she is a swimmer who braves the frigid waters, but I think her excitement and encouragement to another swimmer is what I would need to hang in there for a swim of a lifetime!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Description versus emotion

Although the story is absolutely incredible I wish the author had focused more on the emotion and development of the relationship and the sorrow and heartbreak of the departure than describing all the colors of the waters and different creatures. This is a short story so the filler would’ve been more meaningful in the motion of the relationship rather than details and other experiences

Beautiful story

I found this story through the podcast This is Love. I had to get the book after relistening to that episode about 3 times. It was just so touching. A real account of a human interacting with one of the largest babies on earth... A baby gray whale.

Moving story

If you could sum up Grayson in three words, what would they be?

touching, loving, nature is wise

Any additional comments?

Although I enjoyed the book, I didn't realize at first that it was too short. It is a touching story of a corageous young woman and its encounter with a gray whale.

A wonderful experience!

It is wonderful the bond we can hold with animals. Many times they sense what is in our hearts and minds. A very special and wonderful experience. If we open ourselves to the world we can savor the wonderment.