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Rating: Summary: A solid adventure story Review: Dolphin Island is one of those solid, worthy Arthur C. Clarke books that has been out of print for many years and is now quite hard to find. This is a novel that Clarke wrote in the early 60's after spending a substantial amount of time around Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Clarke, as many are not aware, was, at least at one time, just as interested in diving and the sea as he was in space. Clearly fascinated by what he saw in his time around the reef, it inspired Clarke to write this novel, one of his very few targeted at young adults. As such, it lacks the poetic prose and philosophical and theological aspects that permeate Clarke's best novels. However, it is a very tight, well-written, and highly-enjoyable adventure romp. It is a very fast read, and you will be interested all the way through. Although it was intended as a book for young adults, Clarke being Clarke, this book is nevertheless packed full of interesting ideas and concepts. Clarke's speculations on dolphin intelligence and the many applications he dreams up for them are vivid and very believable. The descriptions of the Reef are also very poetic and sometimes beautifully rendered; however, as another reviewer pointed out, these sections tend to go on for too long and sometimes slow down the pace of the novel. Don't worry, though: it's nothing close to what he made it out to be. This is a very short novel to begin with, and these sections comprise the majority of only 3 or 4 chapters. Those more interested in the Reef and underwater exploration in general may find these sections more satisfying than I did. At any rate, this is a solid, action-packed adventure story that is a worthy read for any Clarke fan and recommended reading for younger science fiction lovers.
Rating: Summary: This Book Review: Dolphin Island-A Story of the People of the Sea is a wonderful book! This futuristic tale seems like a reality, and the characters have vived personalities. You are drawn into the story. The ending leaves you yearning to read more! It's a Must Read!
Rating: Summary: Interesting but way too descriptive. Review: I am a big fan of A.C. Clarke, and admittedly, I have read more books by him than any other author. I was in the euphoric wake of 3001 when I found Dolphin Island in a used book store, and since it was only 140 pages long I thought it'd be a quick and enjoyable read. Well, I ended up finishing Paul Cook's 341 page "Fortress On The Sun", before I finished Dolphin Island. It appears to me that while Dr. Clarke was exploring the Great Barrier Reef and being mesmerized by some of the sea's most intelligent creatures, he decided to combine his observations into one descriptive essay. However, as that may have been too boring and definitely quite uncharacteristic of his personality, he decided to put a couple of characters together and make up some sort of a story. Unfortunately, he spends so much time on describing how the corral reefs look like that the pace of the story slows down to a crawl. There are as always lots of interesting ideas proposed and he has always been in the forefront of future technologies but none of the characters like Johny Clinton, Mick, or Dr. Kazan ever develop enough to become memorable. In fact, the dolphins (Suzy and Sputnick) are better developed than their human counterparts. Therefore, this book is not quite up to par with what I'd call the Clarke standard, but if you've ever wondered what the Great Barrier Reef looks like, then you should give this book a try; if you can actually find it!
Rating: Summary: Interesting but way too descriptive. Review: I am a big fan of A.C. Clarke, and admittedly, I have read more books by him than any other author. I was in the euphoric wake of 3001 when I found Dolphin Island in a used book store, and since it was only 140 pages long I thought it'd be a quick and enjoyable read. Well, I ended up finishing Paul Cook's 341 page "Fortress On The Sun", before I finished Dolphin Island. It appears to me that while Dr. Clarke was exploring the Great Barrier Reef and being mesmerized by some of the sea's most intelligent creatures, he decided to combine his observations into one descriptive essay. However, as that may have been too boring and definitely quite uncharacteristic of his personality, he decided to put a couple of characters together and make up some sort of a story. Unfortunately, he spends so much time on describing how the corral reefs look like that the pace of the story slows down to a crawl. There are as always lots of interesting ideas proposed and he has always been in the forefront of future technologies but none of the characters like Johny Clinton, Mick, or Dr. Kazan ever develop enough to become memorable. In fact, the dolphins (Suzy and Sputnick) are better developed than their human counterparts. Therefore, this book is not quite up to par with what I'd call the Clarke standard, but if you've ever wondered what the Great Barrier Reef looks like, then you should give this book a try; if you can actually find it!
Rating: Summary: You can enjoy the fantasy world ! Review: I read this book on the beach of the Island of Great Barrier Reef in Australia by chance. I mean I didn't know the location of the story. I was traveling at the time. So I might enjoyed this book more than it is. But if you like dolphins, oceans, I 'm sure you enjoy this book,too! Acutally I read this book in Japanese,not in English. So I hope new edition issue ,again !
Rating: Summary: This Book Review: When I first read this book I was young, in my early early teens. I found the book took me along with it. Hiding away as a stowaway, burning in the sun and thirsting desperately after the crash.The dolphins miraculous. The wonders of the reef spellbinding and wonderous. I could go on but dont want to give away the whole story. I found the book excellent reading material, and while my taste now borders on the more intricate, this is high adventure and good reading for our young people.
Rating: Summary: Captivating Review: When I first read this book I was young, in my early early teens. I found the book took me along with it. Hiding away as a stowaway, burning in the sun and thirsting desperately after the crash.The dolphins miraculous. The wonders of the reef spellbinding and wonderous. I could go on but dont want to give away the whole story. I found the book excellent reading material, and while my taste now borders on the more intricate, this is high adventure and good reading for our young people.
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