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Dolphin Island
After his spacecraft crashes into the Pacific, Johnny Clinton is taken to a mysterious research laboratory by a band of helpful dolphins
188 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
137 people are currently reading
1250 people want to read
About the author
Arthur C. Clarke
1,648 books11.6k followersStories, works of noted British writer, scientist, and underwater explorer Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, include
2001: A Space Odyssey
(1968).
This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.
Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.
He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.
This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.
Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.
He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
December 31, 2015
3 stars - Metaphorosis Reviews
A young boy, unhappy living with his aunt, investigates a long-haul hovership, only to find himself adrift in the deep ocean. When dolphins rescue him, his life changes.
I give Arthur C. Clarke credit for introducing me, many decades back, to SF characters who were truly three-dimensional. He brings that same sympathy to bear in Dolphin Island. Unfortunately, the rest of the story doesn't hold up as well, even for a young adult story.
While Clarke clearly has a strong affinity for dolphins (who doesn't?), it's curiously divided. He acknowledges that dolphins are sentient and intelligent, and that orcas are their close cousins. Yet he sees little wrong with capturing an orca, winning its trust, and sticking control electrodes in its brain. Our hero feels a momentary uncertainty, and that's about it for morality.
The strength of the book is in its loving description of the Great Barrier Reef and its ecology. While some aspects will give a modern reader pause (hey, a clutch of turtle eggs - let's dig them up and eat them!), Clarke is generally spellbound by the free-diving possibilities and the beauty of the ecology, and does a very nice job of presenting them. In fact, one could almost say that the story is more an excuse for writing about the Reef than vice versa.
The story itself is functional YA - nothing extraordinary. Clarke manages his usual success of making the key characters credible and reasonably well-rounded, but only the boys in the forefront really develop. The story simply doesn't match the mastery of Clarke's more substantial efforts.
All in all, a decent but slight Clarke story that is generally and deservedly overlooked.
A young boy, unhappy living with his aunt, investigates a long-haul hovership, only to find himself adrift in the deep ocean. When dolphins rescue him, his life changes.
I give Arthur C. Clarke credit for introducing me, many decades back, to SF characters who were truly three-dimensional. He brings that same sympathy to bear in Dolphin Island. Unfortunately, the rest of the story doesn't hold up as well, even for a young adult story.
While Clarke clearly has a strong affinity for dolphins (who doesn't?), it's curiously divided. He acknowledges that dolphins are sentient and intelligent, and that orcas are their close cousins. Yet he sees little wrong with capturing an orca, winning its trust, and sticking control electrodes in its brain. Our hero feels a momentary uncertainty, and that's about it for morality.
The strength of the book is in its loving description of the Great Barrier Reef and its ecology. While some aspects will give a modern reader pause (hey, a clutch of turtle eggs - let's dig them up and eat them!), Clarke is generally spellbound by the free-diving possibilities and the beauty of the ecology, and does a very nice job of presenting them. In fact, one could almost say that the story is more an excuse for writing about the Reef than vice versa.
The story itself is functional YA - nothing extraordinary. Clarke manages his usual success of making the key characters credible and reasonably well-rounded, but only the boys in the forefront really develop. The story simply doesn't match the mastery of Clarke's more substantial efforts.
All in all, a decent but slight Clarke story that is generally and deservedly overlooked.
February 3, 2018
Arthur C. Clarke, uzun zamandır okumayı arzuladığım ancak hangi kitabını önce okusam, düşüncesiyle bir türlü okuyamadığım yazarlar listesindeydi. Bu ay için çocuk kitabı arayışına girince buna denk geldim, isminin de tatlılığıyla tercihimi bu yönde kullandım.
Hoş bir kitap olmasına rağmen tahminen çevirinin etkisiyle istediğim etkiyi yakalayamadım. Başka bir çevirisi var mı kontrol etmedim, bu edisyona denk gelince bunu okudum. Buna rağmen çocuklara önereceğim bir kitaptı. Yunuslar, yunusların dünyası, onlarla konuşmak… İlgilerini bir hayli çeker diye düşünüyorum.
Ayrıca ben yunus balıklarını çok severim. Gerek balinalar gerek de yunus balıklarının iletişimiyle ilgili çok konuşma dinleyip belgesel izlemişliğim vardır. O nedenle konu bakımından benim için hoş bir okuma oldu.
Hoş bir kitap olmasına rağmen tahminen çevirinin etkisiyle istediğim etkiyi yakalayamadım. Başka bir çevirisi var mı kontrol etmedim, bu edisyona denk gelince bunu okudum. Buna rağmen çocuklara önereceğim bir kitaptı. Yunuslar, yunusların dünyası, onlarla konuşmak… İlgilerini bir hayli çeker diye düşünüyorum.
Ayrıca ben yunus balıklarını çok severim. Gerek balinalar gerek de yunus balıklarının iletişimiyle ilgili çok konuşma dinleyip belgesel izlemişliğim vardır. O nedenle konu bakımından benim için hoş bir okuma oldu.
March 3, 2017
Pretty much a story written for children here. Includes the theme of taming the dolphin for the mutual benefit of themselves and mankind, including exchange of lingual understanding between the two species. Some things are interesting but do not have real depth as in Clarke's other books. Story also contains large chunks as adventure, which seem good for a children's book, but almost atypical for Clarke's writings. However yet, a quick-paced interesting read. :)
September 10, 2019
Kellemes kis kalandkönyv. Gyerekként biztos jobban élveztem volna, de így sem volt annyira rossz. Sci-finek nem nevezném. Keményebb olvasmányok között kitűnő kikapcsolódás.
September 8, 2017
Šo grāmatu no bērnu dienām nemaz neatceros, laikam tā arī nekad neizlasīju. Pastāv vēl viena iespējamība, ka viss ir vienkārši aizmirsies. Esmu nolēmis beidzot pielikt punktu Fantastikas pasaules sērijai un izlasīt atlikušās. No Klarka jau zināju, ko sagaidīt – okeānu un tā radības, viņš jau nemaz citādi nemāk.
Piedzīvojumi sākas ar to, ka Džonijs, aizbēdzis no mājām un paslēpies uz starpkontinentu lidojošā kuģa, cieš avāriju Klusā okeāna dienvidu daļā. Viņš paglābjas uz plosta, un šajā šķietami bezcerīgajā situācijā grupa delfīnu aizdzen viņu uz kādu Lielā Barjeru rifa salu — delfīnu pētniecības centru. Pētniecības darbu vadītājs profesors Kezens, tāpat kā Džonijs, ir neizpratnē — kas gan pamudinājis delfīnus veikt šo glābšanas operāciju? Profesors pierunā Džoniju palikt salā un piedalīties šis mīklas atrisināšanā.
Patiesībā anotācija pilnībā ietver visu grāmatas dziļāko jēgu. Tā sarakstīta kā piedzīvojumu stāsts desmitgadiekam, pie tam domājot, ka šāda vecuma lasītāju sīkumi pārāk neinteresē. Džonijs ir tāds universālais puika – piedzīvojumu meklētājs, kas aizbēg no mājām, cieš kuģa katastrofā, iedraudzējas ar delfīniem un izglābj pasauli. Šad tad gadās arī pa kādam mazākam piedzīvojumam, niršana tumsā un langustu lasīšana.
Arī pats sižets ir nekāds, viss pakārtots dabas aprakstiem. No fantastikas ir komunikācija ar delfīniem, to saprāta atzīšana. Nedaudz morālās dilemmas, ko darīt ar zobenvaļiem, kas arī ir saprātīgi, bet ēd delfīnus. Vienu brīdi šķita, ka autors tomēr ir atradis tēmu, kuru izvērst. Bija tur tāda delfīnu leģenda par citplanētu kuģi, kas kaut kur iegāzies okeānā un iznīcinājis daļu delfīna populācijas. Domāju, nu tik būs, bet autors vienu brīdi tam atmeta ar roku un tēmu tālāk neattīstīja. Vispār radās tāds pavirša darba iespaids.
Grāmatas lasīšana tagad bija tīrā laika nosišana, šī nudien nav tā, kas pārāk rosina fantāziju, vai atstāj paliekošas atmiņas. Par delfīniem ir lasītas labākas, un generic piedzīvojumam vairs nav tas vecums, lai pavilktos. Tādēļ grāmatas lielākais pluss ir tās īsums. Man reti gadās, ka par grāmatu nav īsti ko teikt, nebūtu problēmas savu īgnumu izlikt vēl uz pārsimts vārdiem, bet diez vai tas būtu konstruktīvi.
Lieku 4 no 10 ballēm, ja ir apnikušas Margaritas Stārastes pasakas, bet gribas ko līdzīgu tikai ar saprātīgiem delfīniem, droši ķerieties klāt. Pie reizes iemācīsieties vārdu akvaplāns. Bet visādi citādi mierīgi šo grāmatu var izlaist. Nav no tiem labākajiem autora darbiem.
Piedzīvojumi sākas ar to, ka Džonijs, aizbēdzis no mājām un paslēpies uz starpkontinentu lidojošā kuģa, cieš avāriju Klusā okeāna dienvidu daļā. Viņš paglābjas uz plosta, un šajā šķietami bezcerīgajā situācijā grupa delfīnu aizdzen viņu uz kādu Lielā Barjeru rifa salu — delfīnu pētniecības centru. Pētniecības darbu vadītājs profesors Kezens, tāpat kā Džonijs, ir neizpratnē — kas gan pamudinājis delfīnus veikt šo glābšanas operāciju? Profesors pierunā Džoniju palikt salā un piedalīties šis mīklas atrisināšanā.
Patiesībā anotācija pilnībā ietver visu grāmatas dziļāko jēgu. Tā sarakstīta kā piedzīvojumu stāsts desmitgadiekam, pie tam domājot, ka šāda vecuma lasītāju sīkumi pārāk neinteresē. Džonijs ir tāds universālais puika – piedzīvojumu meklētājs, kas aizbēg no mājām, cieš kuģa katastrofā, iedraudzējas ar delfīniem un izglābj pasauli. Šad tad gadās arī pa kādam mazākam piedzīvojumam, niršana tumsā un langustu lasīšana.
Arī pats sižets ir nekāds, viss pakārtots dabas aprakstiem. No fantastikas ir komunikācija ar delfīniem, to saprāta atzīšana. Nedaudz morālās dilemmas, ko darīt ar zobenvaļiem, kas arī ir saprātīgi, bet ēd delfīnus. Vienu brīdi šķita, ka autors tomēr ir atradis tēmu, kuru izvērst. Bija tur tāda delfīnu leģenda par citplanētu kuģi, kas kaut kur iegāzies okeānā un iznīcinājis daļu delfīna populācijas. Domāju, nu tik būs, bet autors vienu brīdi tam atmeta ar roku un tēmu tālāk neattīstīja. Vispār radās tāds pavirša darba iespaids.
Grāmatas lasīšana tagad bija tīrā laika nosišana, šī nudien nav tā, kas pārāk rosina fantāziju, vai atstāj paliekošas atmiņas. Par delfīniem ir lasītas labākas, un generic piedzīvojumam vairs nav tas vecums, lai pavilktos. Tādēļ grāmatas lielākais pluss ir tās īsums. Man reti gadās, ka par grāmatu nav īsti ko teikt, nebūtu problēmas savu īgnumu izlikt vēl uz pārsimts vārdiem, bet diez vai tas būtu konstruktīvi.
Lieku 4 no 10 ballēm, ja ir apnikušas Margaritas Stārastes pasakas, bet gribas ko līdzīgu tikai ar saprātīgiem delfīniem, droši ķerieties klāt. Pie reizes iemācīsieties vārdu akvaplāns. Bet visādi citādi mierīgi šo grāmatu var izlaist. Nav no tiem labākajiem autora darbiem.
November 29, 2015
This book started out as a fairly predictable adventure story... but then it introduced some really real "mad scientist" concepts that made me disgusted at humans. What they do to the orca, zapping her brain to force her to do certain actions, is despicable and horrifying. But their plans for USING their new dolphin friends (to help fishermen gather up fish to feed the hungry millions) is terrible as well: Clarke makes the common human mistake of thinking that the ocean will provide unlimited "resources"... 60ish years after this book has been published, and we've overfished so much (even without dolphin help!) that many species are facing extinction. Sad to know that humans will never learn!
September 13, 2022
I don't know? 2?
I don't think I like ocean sci-fi very much. I feel terrible for the Orcas :(. The story doesn't feel finished. The book get's a big shoulder shrug from me.
To be fair.... i think it's targeted at a younger audience?
Shrug/5
I don't think I like ocean sci-fi very much. I feel terrible for the Orcas :(. The story doesn't feel finished. The book get's a big shoulder shrug from me.
To be fair.... i think it's targeted at a younger audience?
Shrug/5
October 22, 2009
One of the most influential books of my young life, and probably the only science fiction I've ever enjoyed. Based on the work of John Lilly in communicating with dolphins, this is a great book for adolescents but also gives you the chance to learn about dolphins, an astonishing animal with an enormous brain — and heart. This book made me want to be a marine biologist.
January 30, 2010
When I was in high school my passion was dolphins. This book fueled that and a love of all things in or to do with the oceans. This is a great adventure read and I recommend it for all ages.
September 22, 2025
În 1962 Arthur C. Clarke s-a îmbolnăvit de poliomielită. Trăise deja câțiva ani în Sri Lanka și se îndrăgostise de scufundări și de lumea submarină când s-a trezit paralizat. A avut de altfel nevoie de scaun cu rotile tot restul vieții. Și pe când zăcea în pat și își imagina că nu va mai putea face nici scufundări (a învățat ulterior să le facă în pofida dizabilității) s-a gândit el „las’ că mă duc în adâncul oceanelor cu imaginația”. Așa a scris acest mini-roman pentru copii. Erau vremurile alea în care delfinii erau la modă, nu-i de mirare că l-a atras și pe el.
Cine caută valențe literare în opera lui Clarke poate trece liniștit mai departe. În cărțile lui se vine de obicei pentru idei noi, dar bine rumegate. Insula Delfinilor e puțin altfel. Gândită pentru copii, e în primul rând instructivă, scrisă un pic prea sfătos pentru gustul meu, dar altfel cu aventuri drăguțe, un pic desuete pentru copii din ziua de azi, însă doar un pic, petrecându-se cam în prezentul nostru, sau poate una-două decade mai târziu.
Deși la început am cam oftat din motive de sfătoșenie, până la urmă mini-romanul acesta mi-a dăruit bucurie și m-a înduioșat. E atât de multă speranță în povestea lui Clarke, atât de multă dragoste pentru natură și atâta încredere în inteligența oamenilor. Mi-a și strâns inima un pic, fiindcă până acum nu ne-am ridicat la așteptările lui de a păstra echilibrul ecologic. Cel mai mare copil din cartea asta mi s-a părut autorul însuși. Sunt câteva locuri în care se umflă copilărește de mândrie că sateliții lui geostaționari (meteo și de comunicații în carte), pe care i-a visat în 1945, au devenit realitate. Nu zice că-s ai lui, dar e foarte transparentă bucuria lui inocentă.
Avertisment: Tratamentul propus pentru condiționarea orcilor poate părea barbar, dar era tratamentul aplicat și oamenilor suferind de diverse boli de nervi.
Cine caută valențe literare în opera lui Clarke poate trece liniștit mai departe. În cărțile lui se vine de obicei pentru idei noi, dar bine rumegate. Insula Delfinilor e puțin altfel. Gândită pentru copii, e în primul rând instructivă, scrisă un pic prea sfătos pentru gustul meu, dar altfel cu aventuri drăguțe, un pic desuete pentru copii din ziua de azi, însă doar un pic, petrecându-se cam în prezentul nostru, sau poate una-două decade mai târziu.
Deși la început am cam oftat din motive de sfătoșenie, până la urmă mini-romanul acesta mi-a dăruit bucurie și m-a înduioșat. E atât de multă speranță în povestea lui Clarke, atât de multă dragoste pentru natură și atâta încredere în inteligența oamenilor. Mi-a și strâns inima un pic, fiindcă până acum nu ne-am ridicat la așteptările lui de a păstra echilibrul ecologic. Cel mai mare copil din cartea asta mi s-a părut autorul însuși. Sunt câteva locuri în care se umflă copilărește de mândrie că sateliții lui geostaționari (meteo și de comunicații în carte), pe care i-a visat în 1945, au devenit realitate. Nu zice că-s ai lui, dar e foarte transparentă bucuria lui inocentă.
Avertisment: Tratamentul propus pentru condiționarea orcilor poate părea barbar, dar era tratamentul aplicat și oamenilor suferind de diverse boli de nervi.
August 21, 2024
Alright hear me out- the title and synopsis of this book is hilarious, so obviously I picked it up. But lo and behold, a book about a shipwrecked teenager being saved by super intelligent dolphins that speak English was, in fact, not good.
June 5, 2009
Clarke is always exciting.
July 4, 2018
(3.5/5) This was definitely an enjoyable romp, truly lighthearted YA fiction with beautiful ecological descriptions and somewhat plausible characters. My only disappointment came from the conclusion, which provided a weak denouement to what could have been a fantastical exploration of the depths surrounding the alien wreck, giving ground to the spoken history of the dolphins? Also, why not use the superior technology to provide an alternate food source to the orcas, instead of imposing segregation? Surely if you consider dolphins and orcas to possess personhood, as the professor does, one would come up with a more respectful solution!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2021
1963-as; ennek megfelelően lassúbb folyású, mint a 21. századi rohanó történetek. Viszont, örökérvényű témát dolgoz föl. Mivel ifjúsági, ezért nem hard sci-fi, de élvezhető. Oceanográfia, delfin kutatás, a mára már szinte teljesen elpusztult Nagy Korallzátony… Persze, mára semmit sem valósítottunk meg. Sehol a világbéke, ez a mai napig leginkább utópia, mindent elpusztítunk, a delfinekkel való kommunikáció szintén csak fikció maradt. Megöljük az óceánt, a benne élő élőlényekkel együtt😔 ACC, nem ezt a rothadó, pusztuló világot vizionálta.
August 12, 2025
Clarke'ın çocuklar ve gençler için yazdığı akıcı bir roman. Kitabın geneli çok da bilimkurgu havasında değil ancak kitabın ortalarında, müthiş merak uyandırıcı ve çok sağlam bir sert bilimkurgu romanına dönüşebilecek bir fikir kısaca hikâye edilmiş. Acaba Clarke o konuyu daha geniş bir şekilde başka bir eserinde işledi mi diye çok merak ettim.
June 27, 2018
the most unrealistic scifi future: a world that has spaceships AND living coral reefs
February 8, 2020
Primo Clarke che ho modo di leggere.
A dire il vero niente di che. Una bella storia di amicizia tra uomini e delfini, ma in sostanza poco più. Breve romanzo che intende lanciare qualche messaggio non meglio definito.
Pardon, non l'ho apprezzato molto. Tuttavia risulta assolutamente scorrevole.
A dire il vero niente di che. Una bella storia di amicizia tra uomini e delfini, ma in sostanza poco più. Breve romanzo che intende lanciare qualche messaggio non meglio definito.
Pardon, non l'ho apprezzato molto. Tuttavia risulta assolutamente scorrevole.
November 1, 2025
This is far from being one of Clarke's best, but he's just a good storyteller which makes this a fun little read.
May 10, 2025
a fun quick read hehe
August 20, 2019
It's Arthur C Clarke in young-adult mode; a simple, straightforward, easily readable & accessible story for all ages, with a topic designed to entice a younger imagination. It's not demanding (and there are a few historical artifacts that are howlers, such as the teaching computer OSCAR) but it is content to tell an engaging story without distraction.
July 25, 2015
Dolphin Island could be called an adventure story more than a science fiction novel. Written in the 60s and taking place midway through the 21st century, its futuristic trappings -- hovercraft freighters, space colonies, a sunken spaceship, etc. -- are sometimes mentioned only in passing and have little impact on the story. Johnny, a 16-year-old orphan living an unhappy life in the care of his aunt, finds himself an accidental stowaway aboard one of the aforementioned hover freighters as it breaks down on the highway outside his house one night. When the ship goes down at sea, Johnny is set adrift and finds himself rescued by a pod of dolphins who bring him to Dolphin Island, where indigenous fishermen and researchers take him in and show him the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef off the mainland of Australia. Johnny quickly develops a fascination with the sea, the many species which inhabit it, and particularly the dolphins, who are learning to communicate with the island's human population thanks to the efforts of the kindly Professor Kazan.
This is a short novel born out of Arthur C. Clarke's love for the sea, which was nearly equal to his love for space. It's a rather easy-going and pleasant story about a boy who finds his courage under unlikely circumstances, and I like how it's handled here. There's no shame in being frightened of the deep ocean or of anything in it, and Johnny's respect for the sea is a fine lesson for any young person who wants to get involved in the sciences. This is the sort of story I wish I'd read when I was Johnny's age -- it might have encouraged me to do more with my interest in marine biology than I did. Even now, it, and Clarke's ocean-centric Songs of Distant Earth, make me want to look into it for the first time in years.
This is a short novel born out of Arthur C. Clarke's love for the sea, which was nearly equal to his love for space. It's a rather easy-going and pleasant story about a boy who finds his courage under unlikely circumstances, and I like how it's handled here. There's no shame in being frightened of the deep ocean or of anything in it, and Johnny's respect for the sea is a fine lesson for any young person who wants to get involved in the sciences. This is the sort of story I wish I'd read when I was Johnny's age -- it might have encouraged me to do more with my interest in marine biology than I did. Even now, it, and Clarke's ocean-centric Songs of Distant Earth, make me want to look into it for the first time in years.
December 3, 2020
Wow, I absolutely loved this book about TALKING DOLPHINS (and a lot more which I will not spoil for you!). This was the perfect "in-between" book, just 140 pages of inspirational dolphins and scientific rebellion. Bonding with dolphins and bonding with humans. Trusting yourself and trusting the dolphins. I am not reading any more coming of age books unless there are DOLPHINS.
I'm not sure if there isn't too much pro-dolphin bias though. But I guess killer whales have their own books with their own narratives. There's a lot said in this book about dolphins vs killer whales, and I'll be the first to admit I'm not an expert in marine life. But I think when all is said and done and the tide has gone in, out... we are left with a cute little adventure tale that is just such a pleasant romp, a treat. Like a trip to the aquarium that gets you excited to watch nature documentaries again.
THIS BOOK NEEDS A SEQUEL. Arthur C Clarke frickin loves scuba diving and you can feel it in this book. I love Dolphin Island like I love The Deep Range, another classic Clarke set in the seas. But that one is a biiiit scary! I would read Arthur C Clarke's words on anything he finds interesting. He has a way of making you find it interesting too, no matter what!
feel good dolphin book (no one had sex with a dolphin)
I'm not sure if there isn't too much pro-dolphin bias though. But I guess killer whales have their own books with their own narratives. There's a lot said in this book about dolphins vs killer whales, and I'll be the first to admit I'm not an expert in marine life. But I think when all is said and done and the tide has gone in, out... we are left with a cute little adventure tale that is just such a pleasant romp, a treat. Like a trip to the aquarium that gets you excited to watch nature documentaries again.
THIS BOOK NEEDS A SEQUEL. Arthur C Clarke frickin loves scuba diving and you can feel it in this book. I love Dolphin Island like I love The Deep Range, another classic Clarke set in the seas. But that one is a biiiit scary! I would read Arthur C Clarke's words on anything he finds interesting. He has a way of making you find it interesting too, no matter what!
feel good dolphin book (no one had sex with a dolphin)
November 21, 2013
well, not a good read. the scientific basis is rather obscure. the story tells about dolphins and humans. there dolphins are intellectual. Humans want to protect them from killer whales, dolphins' natural foes. but then we face the fact that all in nature must be in harmony.
That means you for example, must not kill all wolves only to protect rabbits. Because we then interfere with nature which can cause overwhelming propagation of rabbits that can harm both to us and nature. BUT dolphins are not stupid rabbits. they can think just like humans. the morale is that all thinking creatures must be shielded.
That means you for example, must not kill all wolves only to protect rabbits. Because we then interfere with nature which can cause overwhelming propagation of rabbits that can harm both to us and nature. BUT dolphins are not stupid rabbits. they can think just like humans. the morale is that all thinking creatures must be shielded.
August 16, 2014
Dolphin Island
Dolphin Island
This is the near future, or perhaps the present as it should be. Johnny's adventures are at once familiar, running away from home by accident, and learning new skills and gaining knowledge about himself, and fascinating as he becomes friends with the People of the Sea. The tantalizing possibilities of cooperation between mankind and dolphins are told with humor and with confidence. My strongest quibble is that the story ended too soon. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the Sea mammals or just enjoys a strong coming of age adventure
Dolphin Island
This is the near future, or perhaps the present as it should be. Johnny's adventures are at once familiar, running away from home by accident, and learning new skills and gaining knowledge about himself, and fascinating as he becomes friends with the People of the Sea. The tantalizing possibilities of cooperation between mankind and dolphins are told with humor and with confidence. My strongest quibble is that the story ended too soon. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the Sea mammals or just enjoys a strong coming of age adventure
February 28, 2025
Quick, young adult adventure novel from one of the best. It's a pretty cozy read without too much conflict. The main event is resolved in predictable fashion, but it's an interesting enough story about interspecies communication between humans and dolphins. There's a plethora of factual information included from both the author's research and his real-life experiences as noted in the afterword.
I simultaneously enjoy and am saddened by Arthur C. Clarke's techno-optimism. He had many great visions about what the future held in store for the human race and would surely be disappointed by reality.
I simultaneously enjoy and am saddened by Arthur C. Clarke's techno-optimism. He had many great visions about what the future held in store for the human race and would surely be disappointed by reality.
June 11, 2012
It seemed quite naive and simple adventure story for young readers. Though there was a good material to develop – the legend told by dolphins about the spacecraft fell into the ocean a long time ago. Based on that information some scientists wanted to find that shipwreck to research it. The bad thing is that this idea is just mentioned near the end of a book and is not developed. Although I believe that Ser Clarke could write better work on the subject of communication between human and dolphins, certainly „Dolphin Island” is not the best writing compared to other his works.
January 2, 2021
Dolphin Island. Loved it as a kid. It had a breezy, you-are-there feel to it. The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. The feel of the sea when you're in it. I just looked, and it has an original publish date of 1963, yet I remember that there is some sort of personal computer in the house. Pretty prescient, I recall thinking when PCs finally hit the market. A fun read for kids (and one that doesn't involve graphic violence or other hard-realities that seem to be all the rage for young minds these days).
December 2, 2011
The author was known to have a great interest in dolphins. This book wasn't all that great compared to others he wrote. Good enough and short enough to finish and diverting enough too. Young Adult Fiction.
November 23, 2008
ok, great story but I must admit that I give it 5 starts because my mom used to read this to me when I was a kid and the story sticks with me still. Thanks mom.
September 27, 2022
Published in 1963, this was perhaps prescient then. But we now live in the future Clarke was writing about, where we know how smart dolphins and orca are, and we know what a toll climate change is taking on places like the Great Barrier Reef. Even the hovercraft doesn't seem that interesting knowing that there are commuter boats that use similar technology (though they don't quite skim along without at least one point touching the water--and they don't fly over land yet).
I first read an excerpt when I was teaching sixth grade and a chapter of this book was included in our district-mandated reading series. I always meant to read the book. I had the book on my classroom bookshelf all the years I taught. It is the copy I read now--and I see by the card in the back that not one student ever checked it out.
Still, to judge it by one of my standards for children's literature, this is a good book. There are adult role models for Johnny Clinton, the protagonist, to look up to and to guide him, and in the end, after he has gained experience and confidence, he understands why further, higher, education will be important to him. So, to meet another standard, the protagonist does grow and change somewhat.
As for the adventure, it is exciting. Stowing away on a freighter-hovercraft. Crashing into the ocean. Saved by dolphins. Life on a tropical island. A hurricane. A daring voyage using all he has learned to reach the mainland to find help for his community.
The only thing I didn't like was the behavior modification techniques used to train orcas not to eat dolphins. Of course this book was written before we knew different orca pods had different diets--some eat seals, some eat salmon--and so on. Or the idea that oceans could be fenced off to make safe places for both dolphins and orca. Come on, that is just not practical, especially ecologically.
I knew maybe fifty years ago that behavior modification techniques didn't particularly work, especially with a resistant subject. Okay, my sample was small, but it is not something that ever worked well in my classroom. There has to be a more sympathetic approach to changing behavior, and certainly a willing buy-in by the subject would be helpful.
I first read an excerpt when I was teaching sixth grade and a chapter of this book was included in our district-mandated reading series. I always meant to read the book. I had the book on my classroom bookshelf all the years I taught. It is the copy I read now--and I see by the card in the back that not one student ever checked it out.
Still, to judge it by one of my standards for children's literature, this is a good book. There are adult role models for Johnny Clinton, the protagonist, to look up to and to guide him, and in the end, after he has gained experience and confidence, he understands why further, higher, education will be important to him. So, to meet another standard, the protagonist does grow and change somewhat.
As for the adventure, it is exciting. Stowing away on a freighter-hovercraft. Crashing into the ocean. Saved by dolphins. Life on a tropical island. A hurricane. A daring voyage using all he has learned to reach the mainland to find help for his community.
The only thing I didn't like was the behavior modification techniques used to train orcas not to eat dolphins. Of course this book was written before we knew different orca pods had different diets--some eat seals, some eat salmon--and so on. Or the idea that oceans could be fenced off to make safe places for both dolphins and orca. Come on, that is just not practical, especially ecologically.
I knew maybe fifty years ago that behavior modification techniques didn't particularly work, especially with a resistant subject. Okay, my sample was small, but it is not something that ever worked well in my classroom. There has to be a more sympathetic approach to changing behavior, and certainly a willing buy-in by the subject would be helpful.
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