Island of the Blue Dolphins
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Scott O'Dell
Kelly Starrett
Kelly Starrett recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
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Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Scott O'Dell
By
Scott O'Dell
3.9
335912
ratings on Goodreads

In the vast embrace of the Pacific, there lies an island as captivating as a myth, where the sun bathes its shores, blue dolphins dance in the waters, and the echoes of nature’s symphony fill the air. This is the stage of "Island of the Blue Dolphins," Scott O'Dell's enthralling tale of resilience and solitude. It is here we meet Karana, a young girl abandoned to fate’s whims, crafting her existence in isolation, her spirit intertwined with the wild and untamed beauty of the island. Through the seasons’ endless cycle, her story unfolds—a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the profound connections one can forge with the natural world. O'Dell weaves a narrative that is both a heart-stirring adventure and a poignant exploration of self-discovery. As Karana faces the challenges of survival—battling hunger, weather, and wild dogs—she embarks on an inner journey of understanding and acceptance. Her companions are the island’s creatures, her enemies become her teachers, and her solitude becomes a canvas for the rich inner life she cultivates. "Island of the Blue Dolphins" emerges not just as a tale of survival, but as a deeply moving ode to the resilience of a solitary girl and the indomitable will to live, set against the backdrop of a world of unparalleled beauty and harshness. This is a story that captures the essence of what it means to be truly alive and reminds us of the profound bond between humanity and the natural world.

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Released
1960
9 Sep
Length
194
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

Kelly Starrett recommended this book in the "Tools of Titans" book.
After that summer, after being friends with Won-a-nee and her young, I never killed another otter. I had an otter cape for my shoulders, which I used until it wore out, but never again did I make a new one. Nor did I ever kill another cormorant for its beautiful feathers, though they have long, think necks and make ugly sounds when they talk to each other. Nor did I kill seals for their sinews, using instead kelp to bind the things that needed it. Nor did I kill another wild dog, nor did I try to speak another sea elephant.Ulape would have laughed at me, and other would have laughed, too -- my father most of all. Yet this is the way I felt about the animals who had become my friends and those who were not, bu in time could be. If Ulape and my father had come back and laughed, and all the other had come back and laughed, still I would have felt the same way, for animals and birds are like people, too, though they do no talk the same or do the same things. Without them the earth would be an unhappy place.
— Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins

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