The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus: A Read with Jenna Pick

One of the most heart warming story I have ever read. This is a must if your love animals or ocean creatures.

Highly recommended book that was fun to read.

This book surprised me with its depth and tenderness as well as its explanation of the behavior of the common octopus mother. Good characters and a well conceived twisty plot with some surprises along the way. Plus the Scotland vibe versus the Canadian aura. Love it. Well done! Write more!

I was surprised by all the high recommendations for this book. I read the whole story, but I wasn’t drawn to the characters. Parts of the book really dragged. A so-so read.

Love & secrets… growing up & growing old…love, romance, marriage??? …parents & children… great characters, friendships & beautiful Scottish scenery & history…it was a good read…

I just didn’t care about any of it

Darn I wish the book was longer. 1) Pen is a great Character; Her friends are interesting to say the least. Also, the Romance is kind of Hot

A delightful, fast read. Could not put it down.

I had a hard time getting thru this book. Apparently, I am not alone. Many people in my book club felt the same way. I just can't pinpoint what exactly it was , why i didn't like the bookSo much for Jenna Bushes recommendations.

Easy to read, but not very compelling overall. Perhaps I’m just too old for coming of age stories, but the main character’s panicking and fleeing from situations was annoying.

It took me a long time to get into this book. After that,I got into the characters and then got lost a bit. I had hoped this would have gotten better but it didn't. Then you learn about an octopus' habits but felt it didn't connect with the story. I finished the book, buy unfortunately wouldn't recommend it

It’s not until near the end of the book that we learn the significance of the title, and it’s a little disappointing, to be honest. Also, I think the way the author ended the novel is what made me rate it only 4 stars. It was quite abrupt and a bit of a let down and mood breaker. But this was a charming coming of age novel.

I enjoyed this book. I could not believe these sexual active women in the 80's and beyond were not on some kind of birth control. They relied on men to use a condom???? As soon as birth control was available I myself was onboard. I found this rather unbelievable.

I have mixed feelings... While I loved how the octopus's life cycle was woven into the story, it took a while to pull me in. Alice's affair with her professor became too much, but Pen's journey of working to uncover her namesake was compelling. I also appreciated Pen's curiosity while navigating complex personal relationships.

Interesting characters, atmospheric, witty dialogue, and lovely writing. I enjoyed this story of friendship and romance. Also, there are amazing descriptions of Scotland.

Well done Ms. Knight! I enjoyed the characters and the storylines. Oh, I guessed wrong on the big mystery, but loved getting to the bottom of things. Penelope and Christine were my favorite characters.

I enjoyed reading this book. It kind of meandered around in a friendly way. I don’t know if it was about love, families, friendship, lovers. At the end of the book i was like - what? So this is why I rated it a 3

I didn't love this. I guess I was thinking more about Such Remarkable Creatures when I ordered it, but this really has nothing to do with an octopus. It is one of those family sagas that really was not all that interesting to me. I did read the whole thing, but I was glad to be done with it. The only thing I would say is that it seems pretty well written, so for someone who likes this type of book, you might enjoy it.

My mind is swirling as I try to write this, going through my own life as a little girl of seven who lost her Mom to cancer… to now being a grandmother of three and all of the stages in between. What an emotional and beautiful trip down memory lane while reading these pages. Living by the ocean my entire life, I’ve never really had any thoughts about an octopus. But while visiting a sanctuary this summer with my family, my daughter was drawn to the tank with an octopus. We all stood there fascinated as we watched it move in and out of the rocks and coral. Seems ironic now as I sit here and reflect on this incredible story. Thank you Emma Knight!

I had not read “seriously noteworthy” and relevant fiction in a very long time. I happened to catch an interview with Emma just as I was contemplating multi-generational mother-daughter entanglements of my own. Having experienced some of my own best and worst life-changing moments in London and around Scotland, I found the settings comforting from a long distance of a half century or more ago and from thousands of miles away. The literary references and Easter eggs strewn everywhere were also comforting and delightful. Quite a rare treat!