The Boy and the Dolphin

De: Dick Schmidt

Narrado por: Joe Carey

Following the unfortunate death of his parents, young Toby Matthias finds himself living a carefree life on Piper Cay, an Out Island in the Bahamas, at his grandparents' inn. Isolated from children his own age, Toby develops a deep and lasting friendship with an unlikely companion: a bottlenose dolphin.

A heartwarming tale, The Boy and the Dolphin follows the tropical adventures of Toby and Phinney as they make sense of life in the mid-50s. When Toby is sent to complete his education in the States and Phinney immerses herself more deeply in her dolphin culture, the best friends experience ever-increasing separations. But even while Toby serves his country in the skies over Vietnam, the boy and the dolphin share an unbreakable, decade-long bond.

©2016 Dick Schmidt (P)2016 Dick Schmidt

Roadtrip Ready!

If you could sum up The Boy and the Dolphin in three words, what would they be?

Imaginative, charming, and reinventive

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Boy and the Dolphin?

I can't pick just one scene, really it was just the way the characters interacted that was so memorable.

What about Joe Carey’s performance did you like?

Joe Carey added a wonderful layer to this already wonderful story!

Who was the most memorable character of The Boy and the Dolphin and why?

All of the characters were an integral part of the story, I truly loved them all.

Any additional comments?

After reading the book myself and liking it, but not really getting into it -then listening to it brought to life through Joe Carey reading it, it was superb

Well written book about a very uncommon friendship

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is so well written you will feel completely immersed into it! I listened to the audiobook version and would highly recommend.
"The Boy & the Dolphin" is a unique story about Toby and a bottlenose dolphin named Phinney. These uncommon friends endure many trials and tribulations during the 1950's, including the Vietnam war.
This book can be enjoyed by a wide variety of ages and even my husband who normally never reads or finishes a book!

Well performed, additive listen

Would you listen to The Boy and the Dolphin again? Why?

The Boy and The Dolphin is imaginative and charming with well crafted characters and overlaying themes of conservation, friendship, and coming-of-age. I'm glad this was not just a simple retelling of the TV show, Flipper. It had more heart in its ability to unravel more about our characters as the pages continued on. Dick Schmidt has an earnest appeal to his writing that reminded me of the 1994 film, Forest Gump. Similarities consisting of isolation, social awkwardness, and true friendships lasting for years, all allowed me to keep an open mind with the direction Schmidt was taking us. I was not disappointed. What I was left with while completing this book is a deeper appreciation of nature, my geographic surroundings, and the friendships I have accumulated over the years.

This book provides excellent detail of the 1950's Caribbean life which created an authentic layer of adversity. Family ties were forged through life circumstances and Schmidt does a beautiful job of relating this through Toby's relationship with Phinney. Overall I had a deeper respect for conservation and the delicate ecosystem in our oceans. This was a beautiful read.

What other book might you compare The Boy and the Dolphin to and why?

Can't think of any books. Just Films: Forest Gump, Finding Nemo, Free Willy, The Never Ending Story, etc...

Which scene was your favorite?

The Caribbean during the 1950's.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Heart felt story of family and human nature.

Any additional comments?

I've read the book. The audio version adds a great layer of authenticity to Dick Schmidt's book.

Imaginative, fun for the family

I thought it was very imaginative and interesting how the author weaves this story through the perspectives of a growing and maturing boy and a dolphin. You experience the highs and lows of life through this unique evolving friendship.
Although the dolphin perspective is fiction, it was fun to learn some information about dolphins. Through Toby/ 'The Boy' you learn a bit about sailing and aviation.
The narrator reads the story clearly, with a pleasant voice. I do enjoy a little more voice acting. But, nevertheless he did a nice job.
Minus a few moments of...mammal nature, this tale is pretty clean and would be ideal for a family roadtrip in my opinion.

Lifetime adventure

This was a really good choice of a book to listen to. Not only is it about living the tropical island life but its about true friendship between a young boy and a dolphin. Toby has to live with his grandparents in the Bahamas due to his parents death. While on the hunt for friends, Toby meets a dolphin and they become the best of friends. He names his dolphin friend Phinney.
As Toby grows up he deals with many changes, tragedies and experiences achievements, all of which he ends up sharing with his best friend Phinney. Toby is forced to deal with horrible illnesses, loss, learning to make friends, furthering his education, learning to fly, and developing a relationship. As the years pass, no matter what happens, Toby always returns to the island and to his friend, Phinney.
We also get to hear the dolphins experiences from its point of view. I found this to be the most interesting part. She remains where she can see Toby, or Boy, as she calls him. She also eventually becomes a mother. She faces jealousy when she is introduced to Toby’s love and when Toby is gone for a time as a result of the war and life, she almost forgets him, but eventually, Phinney remembers her precious friend.
This is such a feel good story on lasting friendship and caring about others.