UNDERWATER WILD

An exploration of the underwater habitats that inspired the Oscar-winning documentary.

In an intriguing nature memoir packed with beautiful photos, Foster and Frylinck share memories of their adventures in and around the kelp forests off the coast of South Africa, which inspired My Octopus Teacher. Foster writes about how he committed himself to diving every day of the year and to do it without a scuba tank or a wetsuit in order to adapt to and reap the benefits of the cold waters. Frylinck was apprehensive about diving under these conditions and didn’t always share the same level of enthusiasm. As they continued to dive, Foster notes how their regular diving schedule allowed them to learn the habits and preferences of these underwater creatures. Just as the animals taught him, Foster began to teach Frylinck how to track an animal. In time, Frylinck had an experience that enabled him to understand the state of “primal joy” that Foster had described numerous times. Foster also notes how our ancestors often sought this sense of wonder, which is often missing in contemporary life. In her foreword, Jane Goodall echoes the authors’ sentiment that spending time in wilderness can be healing and transformative and that the “barriers between humans and animals are just illusion.” The authors alternate their narration, which interweaves with stunning images that capture the intricate details of the marine life they have encountered—not just octopi, but also countless types of fish, sharks, mollusks, otters, and the blue dragon, which “lives by floating on the open ocean, eating bluebottles and storing their stinging cells in its own body to repel predators. The authors also share childhood memories. While these stories are important to understanding their current lives, some of the personal details are disturbing, including accounts of abandonment and abuse.

A captivating call to take time to observe and live in the moment.