It didn't occur to me that this is probably a younger-person's read, however I found it still quite enjoyable. In fact, I think this book could be suitable for just about anyone.As long as you are looking for something that truly will provide an escape; bringing you to another part of the world and which also follows an interesting story--you shouldn't be disappointed. It is also a very quick read.It follows the story of a teen named Johnny, who is a runaway, travelling over the Pacific when his "hover"-transport stops over somewhere, and Johnny leaps aboard another vessel by way of curiosity.One thing leads to another and he ends up becoming shipwrecked on the second vessel, later to be rescued at sea, in an interesting turn of events.He is brought to 'Dolphin Island', a fictional place created by Arthur C. Clarke, nonetheless representative of somewhere along the Great Barrier Reef. Here he finds his new home, the longer he stays the more he wants to belong. Integrating into the community, providing a contributing role in certain activities around the island, and learning the island's way of life are some of the details that follow.Without spoiling, the plot thickens a bit when unforeseen events occur, in addition to the developments of long-term experiments conducted by Dr. Kazan - the leading scientist of the island.Personally, reading this book during the summertime couldn't have been more conducive; it's probably the only season you should read this.For a small book, I found it contained a lot of insight and wisdom into everyday life. True references to history within the novel provide the character(s) with a sense of understanding of troubling situations and coping with the unknown. Even for the main character, Johnny, there was a lot to deal with making life choices, coming to term's with one's situation, and finding the right niche for oneself. Things that almost any person can relate to when you get right down to it.Without mention to the sci-fi aspect about it (which is not abundant), the novel is still fascinating and enjoyable. Everything within this novel that would come across as questionable--namely the condition of the dolphins, the re-telling of the Mary Watson legend, the descriptions of the sea ecology and the futuristic transports--are all based on hard fact, or reasonable beliefs. Arthur C. Clarke makes a direct admission of this on an 'Author's notes' at the end of the book. This only heightens the effect of the whole story and its elements.I hope I did not spoil anything. I tried to be detailed enough with my review, yet vague enough to not give away anything about the story.Enjoy!!
Arthur C. Clarke is a classic master of hard science fiction, but for anyone who thinks that means hard-to-read stories dense with complex technology, his book will be a delightful surprise. There is danger and adventure and futuristic technology told from the view point of a teenage boy who does not need to explain everything. The author's note at the end reveals why the images of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, where most of the story is set, are so vivid. They are based on Clarke's own explorations.So many sci-fi books are apocalyptic epics that read like narratives of video games. Clarke's story is gentler and more rational. The story feels like it could really happen as the diverse characters encounter dangers, help each other, and also just have fun. The research on dolphins that is the center piece of the story could be underway somewhere today and the contributions of the main teenage characters are plausible. The future technology seems so feasible that it is rather disappointing to realize that it has been fifty years since Clarke wrote and his visions haven't all been realized yet. That also means the book is not outdated or obsolete.This short book is fun to read and all ages can enjoy it.
What do You think about Dolphin Island (1987)?
This is one of the few "juveniles" ie, young adult novels Clarke ever wrote. It's main character is sixteen year-old Johnny Clinton. Lost in the pacific, he is saved by a pod of dolphins who bring him to Dolphin Island, a research station in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. There he becomes involved in their research into dolphin-human communication. I don't find this as memorable as The Deep Range, Clarke's other novel dealing with Earth's ocean--a surprisingly rare setting in science fiction--one thing that makes this short book worth reading.
—Lisa (Harmonybites)
Dolphin IslandDolphin IslandThis is the near future, or perhaps the present as it should be. Johnny's adventures are at once familiar, running away from home by accident, and learning new skills and gaining knowledge about himself, and fascinating as he becomes friends with the People of the Sea. The tantalizing possibilities of cooperation between mankind and dolphins are told with humor and with confidence. My strongest quibble is that the story ended too soon. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the Sea mammals or just enjoys a strong coming of age adventure
—Nancy E Johnson
well, not a good read. the scientific basis is rather obscure. the story tells about dolphins and humans. there dolphins are intellectual. Humans want to protect them from killer whales, dolphins' natural foes. but then we face the fact that all in nature must be in harmony. That means you for example, must not kill all wolves only to protect rabbits. Because we then interfere with nature which can cause overwhelming propagation of rabbits that can harm both to us and nature. BUT dolphins are not stupid rabbits. they can think just like humans. the morale is that all thinking creatures must be shielded.
—Nazim
