The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness

Montgomery is the author of 28 books for both adults and children, including How to Be a Good Creature, The Good Good Pig, and Journey of the Pink Dolphins. An award-winning writer and naturalist, she has both the journalistic and scientific background to tackle a subject like the one in Soul of an Octopus. Indeed, the New York Times has called her “equal parts poet and scientist” (“About Sy.” Sy Montgomery, n.d., symontgomery.com/about-sy/). She holds dual BA degrees from Syracuse University and majored in three subjects: journalism, French language and literature, and psychology. She is also the recipient of two honorary doctorates.

Montgomery is both a character in the narrative and the authoritative voice that informs and guides the reader. We learn of her interactions with octopuses but also receive her interpretations of them. Her fundamental exploration in the book is reflected in the title: searching for the soul of an octopus. She seeks to answer whether octopuses have a soul, and if so, what that means and how it is manifested. This involves their perception of the world around them and consciousness of themselves and other beings. Her inquiry is a mix of hard science with personal experience and observation.