"Secrets of the Octopus" ~ Sy Montgomery Book Review
- Jun 7
- 5 min read
Beautiful introduction into the research and discoveries of the octopus species, yet this book was only that: an introductory piece...
Rated: three point five out of five stars
Disclaimer: I do my absolute best not to disclose any spoilers of the book, but I may unintentionally provide some leading information. I am sorry if I give anything away! I only hope to speak with other book lovers by picking apart the wonderfully intricate bones of novels which have fed my soul. With all love, you have been forewarned. <3
...I would've appreciated more on the importance of future/further research, and the potential of developmental advancement to science from such [oceanographic and marine species] studies. Granted, I have not read her first book, "The Soul of an Octopus," yet it is my understanding that this book is more science research based, where her other [first] book focuses more on individualistic personalities of octopuses and her personal experiences with the species. That said, let's jump into the synapsis.
Synapsis of the Book
Throughout history, the octopus has been portrayed as a deep-sea monster due to their significantly different, alien-like appearance and to the sheer lack of understanding of this marine species. Although our last, closest genetic connection dates back to bacterial form, intellectually and characteristically we are more similar than we've come to realize. Sy Montgomery took the reader through her personal encounters and through different studies/findings, in an octopus character-centered perspective, to help the reader learn more about the species while fostering an inter-human connection with this misjudged creature. The author depicts the alien-like anatomy of this boneless cephalopod, explains their animalistic nature, and how that may have contributed to their intellectual development. Scientists have consistently tested and found octopuses of varying species to be excellent problem solvers (often thinking "outside of the box" or as the test design intended), which lead to the discovery of their complex memory and adaptability skills: if octopuses are able to continually solve reoccurring and new problems, they are able to recognize patterns and thus have the capability of memory and fluidity to adapt to their environments accordingly.
With greater intelligence also comes more pronounced personalities and character traits. Each octopus may respond differently given the same problems, environment, or even the same people to interact with. Researchers found that not only do octopuses interact with people (if they so please, some have more shy personalities) but they have found them to be rather social both in and outside of their species. In fact, octopus communities have been discovered, contrary to previous beliefs that these are solitary creatures, and octopuses have been found to interact with, or even assist, other marine creatures without there being a guaranteed mutual benefit (some fish have been found to follow octopuses, to scavenge and/or possibly for their protection, but only some have shown to point octopuses in the direction of potential food; otherwise, the octopus has no beneficial reason to keep such fish for company). Sy Montgomery concluded the book with octopus profiles to further detail the key features and characteristics of varying types of octopuses, similar to a common field guide for this marine species.
My Dissection Report & Expanded Thoughts
Although I may have wanted more from this book, I must commend Sy Montgomery for leaving me buzzing with questions, thus encouraging me to learn more on my own. That should be the goal of any author, especially when writing about anything of hope for the greater good: to spark curiosity, foster connection/empathy, and to inspire change (or action towards change) and thus cultivate hope. You see, we wouldn't want to learn more or do anything if we didn't feel a sense of connection, and I wouldn't have drawn any connection without first being curious to explore and learn more to begin with. For me, I must know the "why" behind something in order to understand how something is the way it is, and to see my place within it all. To me, I find nature fascinating and I'm drawn to absorb as much as I can because we are all interconnected in one way or another, and believe it or not, everything nature created has a purpose in this grand cycle. It would be ignorant to believe we have no impact and even more so to classify anything different than us as "less than." The octopus has been wildly misunderstood for far too long, yet the more we learn the more we question. If for selfish reason alone to justify continuing research, as our species tends to pursue knowledge out of the lens of personal gain, then I think further [ethical] research of the octopus could lead to significant [potential] advancement for the field of health. As Sy Montgomery stated in this book, octopuses have that ability to transform their own cells or DNA, quote,
"In 2017, researchers with the Marine Biological Laboratory in Massachusetts and Tel Avis University reported the discovery that octopuses, and their relatives the quid and cuttlefish, can edit their own RNA, the messenger carrying instructions for the synthesis of proteins from DNA. They can actually recode the genes important to their nervous systems - an extremely rare ability that may well have to do with their unusual and extraordinarily well-developed brains. In 2022, University of Chicago researchers reported the discovery of a novel neural structure with which the arms opposite sides of an octopus are connected. We think this is a new design for a limb-based nervous system, the lead researcher reported," [pg. 33].
Look, I am not a scientist, however, I think this is a remarkable phenomenon that should be explored further from an evolutionary and medical standpoint. Think of what this could mean if we were capable of editing our own RNA, and in turn our DNA? Think of what this could mean for the future of our now overly, chronically ill society? I, for one, am fascinated at the possibilities. Call me jaded, but we've placed too much focus on the development of technological "AI brains" that is already spiraling out of control, causing more harm ethically and environmentally than good. In my mind, we should place more emphasis on restoration, then [responsible] development, of our planet for the good of the Earth and for all of her inhabitants. Not only could we restore our health from a plethora of illnesses and diseases (not to mention what this could mean for the potential of regeneration of damaged cells/tissues), but could we not also synthesize proteins to develop our cognitive function at an accelerated rate just like the humble octopus?
I may be over optimistic and speculative of ideas that may not be all that possible, yet I have hope for a better future and enough curiosity to expand my knowledge and understanding. So, to end this report, I would like to thank Sy Montgomery for encouraging my interests and those of other readers, when it comes to this marvelous creature. To pass the kindness and hope along, I implore you to pick up this quick read yourself and to always ask more questions. Who knows, you may just discover that the impossible is indeed plausible and more attainable than you may think, for if we've misjudged the octopus for this long, what else have we been wrong about or have yet to explore?
Thank you for listening to my book review, I hope you enjoyed my ramble and are inspired to pick up this book, or any book at all :) Please feel free to contribute to the conversation (but try not to give away any spoilers in the comments!) and I'm sure I will have more random book reviews to come in the near future. Also, if you have any suggestions of story topics you would like for me to write about, I would love to hear from you.
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