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.

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.

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.

Devastating story of ecological destruction from marine life POV

I never thought I’d be moved by the perspectives of dolphins, rorquals, wrass and remora fish. POD is primarily an odyssey story of Ea, a longhi spinner dolphin. But it equally a story of the utter chaos human “civilization” has wrought upon marine life and their many strategies to cope. By bringing to life dolphin pods and their dynamic, Laline Paull reflects on the history of human tribalism and migration, and also offers a rosy vision forward for our way out of our current morass. I wonder if my experience of this story would have been different as a reader rather than a listener. The audiobook takes a while to get into as the early chapters are heavy on word building. But once you get used to the different POVs you’re in for a literal ride across the vast expanse of the ocean.

Enter a strange world and become immersed

An experience so immersive, I felt as part of the pod and quickly held those above water with suspicion. I found it very hard to stop listening. This is a story that has to be told and heard.
Great reading performance as well.

Luminous

Beautifully written. I don’t usually write reviews, but I could not put this down. Performance was outstanding.

A story for our time and uncertain future

An allegory worth listening to again & again to unpack its many treasurers. Sex, violence, misogyny, human caused ruin and waste in the ocean and yet - a story of desire, perseverance, and connection. When “people” confronted by a stark reality collaborate to face the future together there is hope. This well written and performed audiobook book is so satisfying you’ll wonder about and long for its sequel,

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.