Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
New York : MCD / Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2022.
Pages
456
Description
Following a mysterious murder on an island off the coast of Vietnam, a research team convenes to study an octopus community that seems to be developing its own language and culture. Humans, AIs, and animals are swept up in the machinations of governments and corporations in this near-future thriller about the nature of intelligence. --
Awards
Nebula Award (Nominee — Novel — 2022)
LA Times Book Prize (Finalist — 2022)
Locus Award (Finalist — First Novel — 2023)
RUSA CODES Reading List (Shortlist — Science Fiction — 2023)
Arthur C. Clarke Award (Shortlist — 2024)
The Kitschies (Finalist — 2022)
Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize (Longlist — Fiction — 2023)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2022-10-04
Physical description
456 p.; 22 cm
ISBN
9780374605957
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member Verkruissen
I read my first underwater science fiction book in high school when I read Robin Cook's book Sphere. This book had the same vibe and I thoroughly enjoyed the science behind the story. I thought that the characters were very well developed especially Evrim, the worlds most developed AI that has been
Octopuses have always been amazing creatures and to have them be the focus of this near-future story was especially exciting. Imagine the possibilities of developing a way to communicate with a creature that has apparently been going through evolution at a much faster rate than anyone ever suspected?! A culture? Tool developing? Seriously mind blowing! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and though it appears this is a stand alone book, there are definitely ways another book to this story could be written. I for one would like to see where this evolution goes.
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deemed outlawed in most countries for fear of his absolute intelligence that surpasses most human beings. I think that the relationship he developed with Ha was fascinating. Octopuses have always been amazing creatures and to have them be the focus of this near-future story was especially exciting. Imagine the possibilities of developing a way to communicate with a creature that has apparently been going through evolution at a much faster rate than anyone ever suspected?! A culture? Tool developing? Seriously mind blowing! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and though it appears this is a stand alone book, there are definitely ways another book to this story could be written. I for one would like to see where this evolution goes.
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LibraryThing member jfe16
Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley
When the transnational tech corporation DIANIMA buys [and sequesters] Con Dao Archipelago, Doctor Ha Nguyen comes to the island to study the intelligent cephalopod population discovered there. It seems that the octopuses have developed their own culture and
DIANAMA believes there is a fortune just waiting for whoever can take advantage of being able to communicate with the intelligent and possibly sentient octopuses.
But will the octopuses allow DIANAMA to use them for their own greedy plan? And what can they do about it?
=========
Communication, contact, and connection play equally relevant roles in this compelling [but occasionally bothersome] narrative. Strong world-building, interesting characters, and a fascinating plot all combine to make this near-future science fiction tale of first contact both intriguing and thought-provoking.
Loneliness and exploitation each have a place in the telling of this tale as they shape characters and define events that will ultimately have far-reaching consequences. With the first contact theme relating to the cephalopods [rather than extraterrestrials], the understanding of their “alien” culture, tools, and language takes on a particular urgency.
Corporate greed serves as the ominous link between the characters in three distinct plotlines that spin out germane tales of relationships, identity, and communication, coming together in a denouement that many readers may find a bit abrupt and a bit disappointing for those who’d hoped for something more than “Stay away.” Nevertheless, there is much to consider as the reader explores intelligence, individuality, and integrity with the various characters.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Farrar, Straus and Giroux, MCD and NetGalley
#TheMountainintheSea #NetGalley
When the transnational tech corporation DIANIMA buys [and sequesters] Con Dao Archipelago, Doctor Ha Nguyen comes to the island to study the intelligent cephalopod population discovered there. It seems that the octopuses have developed their own culture and
Show More
language. Joining her is a unique android, Evrim, and DIANIMA’s security agent, Altantsetseg.DIANAMA believes there is a fortune just waiting for whoever can take advantage of being able to communicate with the intelligent and possibly sentient octopuses.
But will the octopuses allow DIANAMA to use them for their own greedy plan? And what can they do about it?
=========
Communication, contact, and connection play equally relevant roles in this compelling [but occasionally bothersome] narrative. Strong world-building, interesting characters, and a fascinating plot all combine to make this near-future science fiction tale of first contact both intriguing and thought-provoking.
Loneliness and exploitation each have a place in the telling of this tale as they shape characters and define events that will ultimately have far-reaching consequences. With the first contact theme relating to the cephalopods [rather than extraterrestrials], the understanding of their “alien” culture, tools, and language takes on a particular urgency.
Corporate greed serves as the ominous link between the characters in three distinct plotlines that spin out germane tales of relationships, identity, and communication, coming together in a denouement that many readers may find a bit abrupt and a bit disappointing for those who’d hoped for something more than “Stay away.” Nevertheless, there is much to consider as the reader explores intelligence, individuality, and integrity with the various characters.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Farrar, Straus and Giroux, MCD and NetGalley
#TheMountainintheSea #NetGalley
Show Less
LibraryThing member Razinha
I finished this book over a week ago and have been thinking of what to say here. First, up front disclosures: I received an advance review copy of this from the publisher through NetGalley. And ... I rarely summarize fiction plots, mainly because I think it unfair to the author - there are plenty
In a rare confluence of approval of my requests, I had two fiction ARCS, each with a partial style that I initially found off-putting, and yet each eventually drew me in. (Partial because it wasn't the main style.) In this case, I was not fond of some of the neologisms that don't get defined by context. Nor do I like getting dropped into a different world - even if it is a near future of this one - without some explanations of context. So, this was a little tougher to get into, despite the fact that I love octopuses and was fascinated to read what Mr. Nayler would imagine. That said, I found it to be quite engaging and thought-provoking. Tom Peters says in his 2003 book Re-imagine!: "Life is messy. Very messy. (That's why I read fiction for instruction, not management books. Most management books provide "answers." Great fiction raises great questions.)" This book raises some great questions...
We have the theme of encountering an alien intelligence, that just happens to be one found on this planet. How does humankind respond? “The problem,” Dr. Mínervudóttir-Chan said, “is that this entire time, humankind has been afraid of something appearing in another creature that we don’t understand ourselves. What is it, exactly — consciousness? We don’t know. And how would we begin to re-create what we do not understand? Again, we don’t know. But we fear it appearing outside our species.
And how do we communicate? That will be a far more difficult challenge than any science fiction entertainment would have us to believe. Mr. Nayler has a character sayIn movies, communication with alien species is usually achieved by means of some amazing technology. Translations are fluid, immediate, and accurate. This idea rests on the false assumption that all languages have a single conceptual foundation. But we know this is not the case, even in human societies. Languages are not based in universalities: they reflect national traditions, ethnocentric worldviews, the specific histories of their societies.Yes! No stupid Darmac or plot forwarding "universal" translators. (I do like ST, but that STTNG episode was one of the worst, IMO).
And AI. A couple of themes here... what safeguards do we need in place for autonomous control of , well anything? Transportation, information, profiling? There are clear dangers of abuse and Mr. Naylor explores those. But also, what about Vernor Vinge's (yes, John von Neumann first used the term) singularity? Where do humans fit in? Will we survive? And will there be a Star Wars "we don't serve their kind here?"
There is a lot going on in this book, presented in short bite segments that make it easy to pause and reflect.
And I like this point:
[...] So, I understand your skepticism - but there is skepticism, and there is naysaying.”
“Oh,” Dr. Mínervudóttir-Chan said, “I believe you. I’ve believed it all from the start. The skepticism is automatic— it is the voice all scientists need to convince in their own heads. It is my mind, trying to put the brakes on.
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of people who do for those on the hunt, and there is almost always an extra teaser blurb somewhere - and I think it unfair to the reader who, like me, dislikes spoilers. In a rare confluence of approval of my requests, I had two fiction ARCS, each with a partial style that I initially found off-putting, and yet each eventually drew me in. (Partial because it wasn't the main style.) In this case, I was not fond of some of the neologisms that don't get defined by context. Nor do I like getting dropped into a different world - even if it is a near future of this one - without some explanations of context. So, this was a little tougher to get into, despite the fact that I love octopuses and was fascinated to read what Mr. Nayler would imagine. That said, I found it to be quite engaging and thought-provoking. Tom Peters says in his 2003 book Re-imagine!: "Life is messy. Very messy. (That's why I read fiction for instruction, not management books. Most management books provide "answers." Great fiction raises great questions.)" This book raises some great questions...
We have the theme of encountering an alien intelligence, that just happens to be one found on this planet. How does humankind respond? “The problem,” Dr. Mínervudóttir-Chan said, “is that this entire time, humankind has been afraid of something appearing in another creature that we don’t understand ourselves. What is it, exactly — consciousness? We don’t know. And how would we begin to re-create what we do not understand? Again, we don’t know. But we fear it appearing outside our species.
And how do we communicate? That will be a far more difficult challenge than any science fiction entertainment would have us to believe. Mr. Nayler has a character sayIn movies, communication with alien species is usually achieved by means of some amazing technology. Translations are fluid, immediate, and accurate. This idea rests on the false assumption that all languages have a single conceptual foundation. But we know this is not the case, even in human societies. Languages are not based in universalities: they reflect national traditions, ethnocentric worldviews, the specific histories of their societies.Yes! No stupid Darmac or plot forwarding "universal" translators. (I do like ST, but that STTNG episode was one of the worst, IMO).
And AI. A couple of themes here... what safeguards do we need in place for autonomous control of , well anything? Transportation, information, profiling? There are clear dangers of abuse and Mr. Naylor explores those. But also, what about Vernor Vinge's (yes, John von Neumann first used the term) singularity? Where do humans fit in? Will we survive? And will there be a Star Wars "we don't serve their kind here?"
There is a lot going on in this book, presented in short bite segments that make it easy to pause and reflect.
And I like this point:
[...] So, I understand your skepticism - but there is skepticism, and there is naysaying.”
“Oh,” Dr. Mínervudóttir-Chan said, “I believe you. I’ve believed it all from the start. The skepticism is automatic— it is the voice all scientists need to convince in their own heads. It is my mind, trying to put the brakes on.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Castlelass
This is an unusual “first contact” story set on the Dao Con archipelago off the coast of Vietnam. Humans and their artificially intelligent colleagues discover a cephalopod civilization that appears to be trying to communicate. There are no extraterrestrials here. It is a speculative fiction
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set in the future. It combines elements of marine biology, archaeology, and linguistics. Primary themes include the nature of consciousness, language, and intelligence. It contains plenty of cultural misunderstandings. Communication with the “alien” species is not straightforward, as it is in many SciFi novels, where we can instantly communicate with and understand one another. It is, in part, a thriller that involves a large transnational tech company, environmental impact, greed, and individuality. I am not normally a fan of thrillers, but I found this book creative, intriguing, and thought-provoking. Show Less
LibraryThing member jldarden
Not my usual fare but I really enjoyed this. It made me look at interpersonal communication as well as cross species and cross cultural communication in a way I had not thought of before. Well written and with good characters, well developed. Thoughts on accepting those different from yourself that
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are well expressed. Good books should make you think as well as entertain you. Looked up some info on octopuses after this and found some interesting stuff on their intelligence and ability to learn and even recognize different people. Recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member davisfamily
I enjoyed this one, read like a first contact story. I enjoyed thinking about how we communicate and how what we say or how we feel determines many different outcomes. I enjoyed the character of Ha and how she kept trying to answer her own question about indifference.
LibraryThing member ladycato
I read this book for consideration in the Nebula Awards.
This is smart science fiction, set in a near-future earth where corporations rule and technological advances don't necessarily mean people live better lives. The central idea of the book is that intelligent, communicative octopi are
I felt hooked throughout the book, but I also recognized that this is one that could fail to engage people for technical reasons. There are massive info-dumps that expound upon philosophy, sea life, and many other things. The lack of clear ties between the plot lines also frustrated me at times, too. I was still left with some questions at the end.
This is smart science fiction, set in a near-future earth where corporations rule and technological advances don't necessarily mean people live better lives. The central idea of the book is that intelligent, communicative octopi are
Show More
discovered, but the book delves much deeper than that as it follows varying perspectives from around the world. It's about what makes people people, and the importance of communication. I felt hooked throughout the book, but I also recognized that this is one that could fail to engage people for technical reasons. There are massive info-dumps that expound upon philosophy, sea life, and many other things. The lack of clear ties between the plot lines also frustrated me at times, too. I was still left with some questions at the end.
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LibraryThing member Shrike58
I'm not familiar at all with Nayler's output of short fiction, but it appears that readers were primed for his first novel, in that it has already been short-listed for this year's Nebula Awards, meaning that I approached the book with the attitude of, okay, impress me. Was I impressed? Actually,
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yes. This novel is billed as a "thriller," which effectively means that it's near-term SF, and Nayler is right up front with this being a first-contact novel. The real question being what are the shadowy forces fighting over the ocean preserve where the the action takes place, and who is going to come out on top. Apart from that I'm going to say that the tone of the novel is very sober, and though there is actually a lot of violent action that is rather restrained; the countdown to the climactic blowup maybe wasn't that thrilling. But a lot of thought went into this and one spends a lot of time wondering how this world actually works, as one considers the steps that lead from our world to this potential one. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member markm2315
This is top-notch science fiction. It is about super-intelligent cephalopods, artificial intelligence, and the fatal shortcoming of our species all at once. I would give it more stars, but the story doesn't have a destination, perhaps because it isn't fictional enough.
LibraryThing member EntreNous
This a really good read with bits of action and comedy along with lots of introspection as individuals and as a species. The relationships between the various arms of the story become apparent as the book progresses, each fleshing out how similar this future world could be to ours with it's good,
I had previously only ready "Mender of Sparrows", a short story by Nayler, published in Asimov's Science Fiction. I highly recommend it as it lead me to seeking out this book.
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bad and indifference. The science of octopus intelligence is fascinating and appears to be well researched here. I'll be checking out some of the books noted in the book's Acknowledgments.I had previously only ready "Mender of Sparrows", a short story by Nayler, published in Asimov's Science Fiction. I highly recommend it as it lead me to seeking out this book.
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LibraryThing member KallieGrace
3.5 stars, this is a really fascinating premise, combining AI and the hunt for intelligent species in the ocean. I wish the plotlines had been more connected from the start, everyone was literally and figuratively on an island, not interacting with others in the plot. More action and less opining
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would have made this a favorite. Show Less