OtterForce reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
A nostalgic read that still has hooks
4 stars
Let me start by saying that I have no idea how it stands up culturally today or how much of the story is based in fact or folklore. I'm happy for anyone with more knowledge to clarify or confirm.
The writing is simple, but the story has plenty going for it. It's a tale of survival, loss, love, belonging, home, culture, and so many other things. Of the many books I read in school, this one pops up in memory the most. So I decided to give it another read. I wasn't disappointed.
While categorized as juvenile fiction, there's nothing particularly juvenile about it apart from the age of Karana. The challenges she faces are no less adult—or life and death—than any other book I've read written for older audiences.
I won't go so far as to call the book wholesome, it communicates enough of the violence …
Let me start by saying that I have no idea how it stands up culturally today or how much of the story is based in fact or folklore. I'm happy for anyone with more knowledge to clarify or confirm.
The writing is simple, but the story has plenty going for it. It's a tale of survival, loss, love, belonging, home, culture, and so many other things. Of the many books I read in school, this one pops up in memory the most. So I decided to give it another read. I wasn't disappointed.
While categorized as juvenile fiction, there's nothing particularly juvenile about it apart from the age of Karana. The challenges she faces are no less adult—or life and death—than any other book I've read written for older audiences.
I won't go so far as to call the book wholesome, it communicates enough of the violence and struggle to drive the point home. But it's not gory or over-the-top at any points. A good way to spend a day or two in the head of someone else.
I'd like to think it's also a chance to see a strong non-white protagonist without stereotypes or the like as well. But, as stated above, I can't vouch for any sort of authenticity or research on the behalf of the author. But as an 80s kid growing up in public schools on military bases, this was certainly one of the more diverse books I stumbled across then and there's nothing that made me pause or question continuing to read the book now.
