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The Girl of the Sea of Cortez
On an island in the Gulf of California, an intrepid young woman named Paloma carries a special legacy from her father—a deep understanding of the sea and a sixth sense about the need to protect it.
Every day, Paloma paddles her tiny boat into the ocean and anchors over a seamount—a submerged volcanic peak sixty feet underwater that is clustered with spectacular sea animals and a wondrous web of marine life.
It is there that an astonishing event takes place, when on one of her dives Paloma is shadowed by a manta ray—an animal so large it blocks the sun. She develops an extraordinary relationship with this luminous, gentle creature, but instinctively knows its existence is a secret she must fiercely protect.
Benchley’s novel paints a poignant picture of humanity’s precarious relationship with the ocean, which unfolds alongside a heartrending story of familial bonds, often revealing that the ignorance of man is far more dangerous than the sea. Full of beauty, danger, and adventure, The Girl of the Sea of Cortez is triumphant—a novel to fall in love with.
Every day, Paloma paddles her tiny boat into the ocean and anchors over a seamount—a submerged volcanic peak sixty feet underwater that is clustered with spectacular sea animals and a wondrous web of marine life.
It is there that an astonishing event takes place, when on one of her dives Paloma is shadowed by a manta ray—an animal so large it blocks the sun. She develops an extraordinary relationship with this luminous, gentle creature, but instinctively knows its existence is a secret she must fiercely protect.
Benchley’s novel paints a poignant picture of humanity’s precarious relationship with the ocean, which unfolds alongside a heartrending story of familial bonds, often revealing that the ignorance of man is far more dangerous than the sea. Full of beauty, danger, and adventure, The Girl of the Sea of Cortez is triumphant—a novel to fall in love with.
224 pages
First published June 1, 1982
About the author
Peter Benchley
65 books1,215 followersPeter Bradford Benchley was an American author best known for writing the novel Jaws and co-writing the screenplay for its highly successful film adaptation. The success of the book led to many publishers commissioning books about mutant rats, rabid dogs and the like threatening communities. The subsequent film directed by Steven Spielberg and co-written by Benchley is generally acknowledged as the first summer blockbuster. Benchley also wrote The Deep and The Island which were also adapted into films.
Benchley was from a literary family. He was the son of author Nathaniel Benchley and grandson of Algonquin Round Table founder Robert Benchley. His younger brother, Nat Benchley, is a writer and actor. Peter Benchley was an alumnus of Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University.
After graduating from college, he worked for The Washington Post, then as an editor at Newsweek and a speechwriter in the White House. He developed the idea of a man-eating shark terrorising a community after reading of a fisherman Frank Mundus catching a 4,550 pound great white shark off the coast of Long Island in 1964. He also drew some material from the tragic Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916.
His reasonably successful second novel, The Deep, is about a honeymooning couple discovering two sunken treasures on the Bermuda reefs—17th century Spanish gold and a fortune in World War Two-era morphine—who are subsequently targeted by a drug syndicate. This 1976 novel is based on Benchley's chance meeting in Bermuda with diver Teddy Tucker while writing a story for National Geographic. Benchley co-wrote the screenplay for the 1977 film release, along with Tracy Keenan Wynn and an uncredited Tom Mankiewicz. Directed by Peter Yates and starring Robert Shaw, Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset, The Deep was the second-highest grossing release of 1977 after Star Wars, although its box office tally fell well short of Jaws.
The Island, published in 1979, was a story of descendants of 17th century pirates who terrorize pleasure craft in the Caribbean, leading to the Bermuda Triangle mystery. Benchley again wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation. But the movie version of The Island, starring Michael Caine and David Warner, failed at the box office when released in 1980.
During the 1980s, Benchley wrote three novels that did not sell as well as his previous works. However, Girl of the Sea of Cortez, a beguiling John Steinbeck-type fable about man's complicated relationship with the sea, was far and away his best reviewed book and has attracted a considerable cult following since its publication. Sea of Cortez signposted Benchley's growing interest in ecological issues and anticipated his future role as an impassioned and intelligent defender of the importance of redressing the current imbalance between human activities and the marine environment. Q Clearance published in 1986 was written from his experience as a staffer in the Johnson White House. Rummies (aka Lush), which appeared in 1989, is a semi-autobiographical work, loosely inspired by the Benchley family's history of alcohol abuse. While the first half of the novel is a relatively straightforward (and harrowing) account of a suburbanite's descent into alcoholic hell, the second part—which takes place at a New Mexico substance abuse clinic—veers off into wildly improbable thriller-type territory.
He returned to nautical themes in 1991's Beast written about a giant squid threatening Bermuda. Beast was brought to the small screen as a made-for-TV movie in 1996, under the slightly altered title The Beast. His next novel, White Shark, was published in 1994. The story of a Nazi-created genetically engineered shark/human hybrid failed to achieve popular or critical success.
Benchley was from a literary family. He was the son of author Nathaniel Benchley and grandson of Algonquin Round Table founder Robert Benchley. His younger brother, Nat Benchley, is a writer and actor. Peter Benchley was an alumnus of Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University.
After graduating from college, he worked for The Washington Post, then as an editor at Newsweek and a speechwriter in the White House. He developed the idea of a man-eating shark terrorising a community after reading of a fisherman Frank Mundus catching a 4,550 pound great white shark off the coast of Long Island in 1964. He also drew some material from the tragic Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916.
His reasonably successful second novel, The Deep, is about a honeymooning couple discovering two sunken treasures on the Bermuda reefs—17th century Spanish gold and a fortune in World War Two-era morphine—who are subsequently targeted by a drug syndicate. This 1976 novel is based on Benchley's chance meeting in Bermuda with diver Teddy Tucker while writing a story for National Geographic. Benchley co-wrote the screenplay for the 1977 film release, along with Tracy Keenan Wynn and an uncredited Tom Mankiewicz. Directed by Peter Yates and starring Robert Shaw, Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset, The Deep was the second-highest grossing release of 1977 after Star Wars, although its box office tally fell well short of Jaws.
The Island, published in 1979, was a story of descendants of 17th century pirates who terrorize pleasure craft in the Caribbean, leading to the Bermuda Triangle mystery. Benchley again wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation. But the movie version of The Island, starring Michael Caine and David Warner, failed at the box office when released in 1980.
During the 1980s, Benchley wrote three novels that did not sell as well as his previous works. However, Girl of the Sea of Cortez, a beguiling John Steinbeck-type fable about man's complicated relationship with the sea, was far and away his best reviewed book and has attracted a considerable cult following since its publication. Sea of Cortez signposted Benchley's growing interest in ecological issues and anticipated his future role as an impassioned and intelligent defender of the importance of redressing the current imbalance between human activities and the marine environment. Q Clearance published in 1986 was written from his experience as a staffer in the Johnson White House. Rummies (aka Lush), which appeared in 1989, is a semi-autobiographical work, loosely inspired by the Benchley family's history of alcohol abuse. While the first half of the novel is a relatively straightforward (and harrowing) account of a suburbanite's descent into alcoholic hell, the second part—which takes place at a New Mexico substance abuse clinic—veers off into wildly improbable thriller-type territory.
He returned to nautical themes in 1991's Beast written about a giant squid threatening Bermuda. Beast was brought to the small screen as a made-for-TV movie in 1996, under the slightly altered title The Beast. His next novel, White Shark, was published in 1994. The story of a Nazi-created genetically engineered shark/human hybrid failed to achieve popular or critical success.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
July 19, 2019
I have owned this book for many years and have read it a few times. Recently, with that manta ray in the news for allowing divers to remove a hook near its eye, I decided to re-read, so here we are.
Paloma is fourteen and lives on an island in the Sea Of Cortez, between Mexico and Baja California. Her father is dead now, but he taught her everything he knew about the sea, about fishing, diving, and respect for Nature.
The trouble is, Paloma's brother Jo should have been the one learning Dad's secrets, not his younger sister. Even though he knows that he simply was not interested, Jo has become twisted emotionally because of the way a mere girl has been allowed to become who she is.
And this is the main conflict in the story. What will Jo do to ease his own pain? What will Paloma do to protect herself and her beloved ocean? How does the manta ray fit into all of this?
Paloma could easily represent the people who love, respect and try to understand nature on its own terms, while Jo represents Modern Man who thinks only of what he can take from the world around him.
I enjoyed the story, as I have before, but I did notice a few points this time around that I must have not paid attention to during other readings.
For one thing, I was distracted by how many times the author worked scientific information into the story, having Paloma recall things her father taught her about how the Sea was created, a great deal about the mechanics of deep sea free-diving, and a few other such topics. While it helped to understand these things, I felt during this reading that they interrupted the flow of the story.
Because of all those technical details popping up, I could not lose myself enough to allow belief that the dramatic events involving the manta ray at the en of the book could happen even in such a semi-fantasy type tale as this.
But the message for humanity is clear, and the basic story is interesting and sometimes quite lovely.
Oh, and the cover to my edition is stunning!
Paloma is fourteen and lives on an island in the Sea Of Cortez, between Mexico and Baja California. Her father is dead now, but he taught her everything he knew about the sea, about fishing, diving, and respect for Nature.
The trouble is, Paloma's brother Jo should have been the one learning Dad's secrets, not his younger sister. Even though he knows that he simply was not interested, Jo has become twisted emotionally because of the way a mere girl has been allowed to become who she is.
And this is the main conflict in the story. What will Jo do to ease his own pain? What will Paloma do to protect herself and her beloved ocean? How does the manta ray fit into all of this?
Paloma could easily represent the people who love, respect and try to understand nature on its own terms, while Jo represents Modern Man who thinks only of what he can take from the world around him.
I enjoyed the story, as I have before, but I did notice a few points this time around that I must have not paid attention to during other readings.
For one thing, I was distracted by how many times the author worked scientific information into the story, having Paloma recall things her father taught her about how the Sea was created, a great deal about the mechanics of deep sea free-diving, and a few other such topics. While it helped to understand these things, I felt during this reading that they interrupted the flow of the story.
Because of all those technical details popping up, I could not lose myself enough to allow belief that the dramatic events involving the manta ray at the en of the book could happen even in such a semi-fantasy type tale as this.
But the message for humanity is clear, and the basic story is interesting and sometimes quite lovely.
Oh, and the cover to my edition is stunning!
March 11, 2018
Another one of those little-known, unsung, lyrical books which separate thugs who read for the sensational, the predictable, mainstream thrills ...from human beings who read with their full senses and full sensitivity.
One colossal idiot in this book's review history was silly enough to posit that Peter Benchley was 'coasting on his family rep' when he wrote this. Are you kidding me? Peter Benchley ...coasting? Harvard grad, Washington Post reporter; speechwriter for Lyndon Johnson? Author and screenwriter of 'Jaws' (44 weeks NYT bestseller, a book which changed American history?) You should live so long to see Peter Benchley ever needing to coast!
If--in the latter half of career trajectory--when he had already made a pile of money and fame--and maybe was thinking about trying to share the rest of his love for the ocean with people--he comes up with a sweet little poetic story about the supernatural quality of the ocean--who are we to naysay it?
He was a thoroughly competent craftsman to write any kind of story he wished. Does anyone doubt this? How then to explain the pervasive terror and fright his 'Jaws' still invokes? How to explain the success of, 'The Deep'? He has probably six movie adaptations of his books.
Benchley had long since proved his mastery of the novel by the time he came to write 'Cortez'. What he wanted--as many commercial authors do--was to return to a simpler form of storytelling. This book represents that earnest wish.
Its economical and touching without being sentimental --in the style of John Steinbeck--and illustrates a provincial way of life with much tenderness.
Yeah, casual readers who seize on this story, looking for Alistair MacLean(?) are going to be mighty disappointed. More fool them!
One colossal idiot in this book's review history was silly enough to posit that Peter Benchley was 'coasting on his family rep' when he wrote this. Are you kidding me? Peter Benchley ...coasting? Harvard grad, Washington Post reporter; speechwriter for Lyndon Johnson? Author and screenwriter of 'Jaws' (44 weeks NYT bestseller, a book which changed American history?) You should live so long to see Peter Benchley ever needing to coast!
If--in the latter half of career trajectory--when he had already made a pile of money and fame--and maybe was thinking about trying to share the rest of his love for the ocean with people--he comes up with a sweet little poetic story about the supernatural quality of the ocean--who are we to naysay it?
He was a thoroughly competent craftsman to write any kind of story he wished. Does anyone doubt this? How then to explain the pervasive terror and fright his 'Jaws' still invokes? How to explain the success of, 'The Deep'? He has probably six movie adaptations of his books.
Benchley had long since proved his mastery of the novel by the time he came to write 'Cortez'. What he wanted--as many commercial authors do--was to return to a simpler form of storytelling. This book represents that earnest wish.
Its economical and touching without being sentimental --in the style of John Steinbeck--and illustrates a provincial way of life with much tenderness.
Yeah, casual readers who seize on this story, looking for Alistair MacLean(?) are going to be mighty disappointed. More fool them!
June 24, 2007
A very different kind of story from Mr. Benchley, sort of an apology for the hysteria books like Jaws, White Shark and Beast caused. Here is an assertive girl with her late father's love of the sea and nature, set into conflict with her brother who only sees economic benefit in it, even if it means destroying the local ecosystem. There isn't a monster, or even a truly demonized human here, though the brother is considerably less sympathetic that the girl who champions Benchley's cause. Heartwarming and thoughtful, it's very easy to share and the author and main character's admirations and concerns for the sea.
November 17, 2015
رواية ممتعة جدا
ما أن رأيت اسم بيتر بنشلي عليها فاشتريتها فورا
لأني أعرف الإثارة التى تنتظرني
وبالفعل لم تخيب الرواية ظني
فيتناول فيها بنشلي عالم الأحياء البحرية و الصيد الجائر في منطقة بحر كورتيز
أو خليج كاليفورنيا
أحببت بطلة الرواية "بالوما" كثيرا وحسدتها على قدراتها على التواصل مع الكائنات البحرية وعلاقتها بحدأة البحر
ما أن رأيت اسم بيتر بنشلي عليها فاشتريتها فورا
لأني أعرف الإثارة التى تنتظرني
وبالفعل لم تخيب الرواية ظني
فيتناول فيها بنشلي عالم الأحياء البحرية و الصيد الجائر في منطقة بحر كورتيز
أو خليج كاليفورنيا
أحببت بطلة الرواية "بالوما" كثيرا وحسدتها على قدراتها على التواصل مع الكائنات البحرية وعلاقتها بحدأة البحر
July 23, 2017
4 1/2 stars
I love goodreads, and Melissa Martin thanks to her review of Jaws. I decided to read something new to me by Benchley. As it turns out this was Benchley's favorite book, and I can see why. Inspired by an encounter that Benchley had in real life. It's been 35 years since it was written, and is as relevant today as it was when it was written. This love letter to the sea would be the perfect beach read, as you wouldn't be terrified to get in the water after reading it.
I love goodreads, and Melissa Martin thanks to her review of Jaws. I decided to read something new to me by Benchley. As it turns out this was Benchley's favorite book, and I can see why. Inspired by an encounter that Benchley had in real life. It's been 35 years since it was written, and is as relevant today as it was when it was written. This love letter to the sea would be the perfect beach read, as you wouldn't be terrified to get in the water after reading it.
April 30, 2008
I only listed the most recent date I read this, but I have read it many, many times, starting in the 4th grade. It is without doubt, my favorite book. It reads very fast, being simple and without unnecessary fluff. I am currently reading it (slowly) to my six year old because I feel the messages held within are important and something I want her to know. Put it this way, it is because of this book that I will someday have a tattoo of a manta ray.
January 12, 2013
Mary and I are reading this book right now. I told her I'd read it to her when she turned twelve. She convinced me to read it to her now (she's nine). I read the book years ago, along with The Deep, by the same author. I think Mary identifies with Paloma, the girl in this story. Maybe this will lead to an actual trip to the Sea of Cortez with Mary.
Update: We finished reading this tonight. Mary loved it. I loved it. This is one of those stories that contains so much background and foundational information, but all of that is hidden within the story, and does not detract from it. The detailed description of how a moray eel dies allowed me to perceive the author's grasp of marine life, without getting in the way of the compassion Paloma had for the animals around her.
When I was twelve my dad and I were snorkling in the gulf of Mexico when a school of rays passed a few feet under us. I thought for years they were manta rays, but came to recognize them as eagle rays. We must have seen about sixty that day. I recall that experience when I read this book. The rays my dad and I saw were similar to the one in this book: unafraid and quite friendly.
Update: We finished reading this tonight. Mary loved it. I loved it. This is one of those stories that contains so much background and foundational information, but all of that is hidden within the story, and does not detract from it. The detailed description of how a moray eel dies allowed me to perceive the author's grasp of marine life, without getting in the way of the compassion Paloma had for the animals around her.
When I was twelve my dad and I were snorkling in the gulf of Mexico when a school of rays passed a few feet under us. I thought for years they were manta rays, but came to recognize them as eagle rays. We must have seen about sixty that day. I recall that experience when I read this book. The rays my dad and I saw were similar to the one in this book: unafraid and quite friendly.
July 18, 2019
I am so not a fan of Shark week or the movie Jaws, although I remember reading the book, I must have still been in middle- maybe high school. It was a long time ago ,don't remember the details. When I found this book on an exploratory, what shall I read next excursion through my Nook library I almost passed it by. That would have been a mistake! ( yep-- there are books in my Nook / Kindle apps that I can't remember even aquiring)
Sometimes while I was reading this story I would be pulled back to the written page and would realize that I was really watching this story- I was reading it but the writing is so perfect I was watching it. I hope that makes sense to anyone reading this review.
There are few books this memorable, I am so pleased when I encounter one. I wish my daughter was still a child so I could have the joy of reading this aloud to her. I think I will give Mr. Benchley another shot. My adult self seems to be more appreciative of his skill.
Sometimes while I was reading this story I would be pulled back to the written page and would realize that I was really watching this story- I was reading it but the writing is so perfect I was watching it. I hope that makes sense to anyone reading this review.
There are few books this memorable, I am so pleased when I encounter one. I wish my daughter was still a child so I could have the joy of reading this aloud to her. I think I will give Mr. Benchley another shot. My adult self seems to be more appreciative of his skill.
March 2, 2017
عملاق أدب البحر .. أبرز من كتب عن الأعماق وكائناته والمغامرات التي تتم به .
حبكة رائعة وسرد سلس ورسم جيد للشخصيات وإثارة بالغة .
الرائع بيتر بينشلي الذي تعرفت عليه من خلال أشهر ما كتب الفك المفترس "فكان" وبعدها الأعماق وبعدها الجزيرة الثلاثة من خلال كتب الجيب وهذه الرابعة من روايات الهلال .
حبكة رائعة وسرد سلس ورسم جيد للشخصيات وإثارة بالغة .
الرائع بيتر بينشلي الذي تعرفت عليه من خلال أشهر ما كتب الفك المفترس "فكان" وبعدها الأعماق وبعدها الجزيرة الثلاثة من خلال كتب الجيب وهذه الرابعة من روايات الهلال .
April 5, 2023
One of the many reasons I love good reads! I read this when I was in elementary school but I could not remember the title. I loved this story and I am so excited to find this on good reads ❤️ This book was the start of my love and obsession with manta rays and stingrays ❤️
May 30, 2015
اندهش دائما من قدرة الإنسان اللانهائية على تبرير اي فعل من أفعاله مهما كان لاأخلاقيا!
اندهش دائما من وجود أسباب "خارجية" لا نستطيع التحكم فيها هي السبب في كل فسادنا..
تارة المجتمع..
تارة القدر..
تارة الإله..
تارة العائلة..
تارة الحاجة..
تارة الخوف..
وننسى .. أو نتناسى.. السبب الوحيد لأفعالنا..
أننا مجرد فاسدون بطبيعتنا!
بينشلي يقدم لنا قصة غاية في البساطة.. و مع ذلك غاية في الإبهار مع بعد إنساني عميق لا يحاول بينشلي أن يصل به إلى درجة الافتعال..
بالوما الفتاة المحبة للطبيعة.. العاشقة للبحر.. تصطدم بأخيها جوو الصياد الذي يبحث عن المال السريع..
بالوما تؤمن بأن كل الكائنات الإنسانية متساوية..جوو يؤمن بأن الحيوانات خلقها الإله ليصطادها الإنسان..
بالوما تؤمن أن الصيد ضروريا فقط كمصدر للغذاء... جوو يؤمن أن الإنسان هو قمة السلسلة الغذائية و من حقه فعل ما يشاء بالكون..
بالوما ترى في البحر عالما لطيفا يحوي الجمال و النقاء... جوو يرى في البحر خزانة تحوي الأموال و يجب أن يغترف كل ما تحويه قبل أي انسان آخر...
بالوما لديها شعور عميق بالحب لكل المخلوقات حتى لأخيها الذي داوم على الإضرار بها.. جوو لا يملك إلا الشعور بالأنانية لنفسه و الكراهية لكل ما عداه...
لكن للأسف بالوما وحيدة.. بالوما متفردة.. بالوما لا تجد احدا في مجتمعها بأكمله تستطيع التواصل معه...
لكن على العكس فإن جوو مثال جيد لهذا المجتمع.. جوو المثال للنجاح الاجتماعي الذي يتسبب ف��ه كون المرء مجرد انعكاس حقيقي لأفكار و أخلاقيات المجتمع..
فكان من الطبيعي أن تقف بالوما وحدها في طرف .. و في مواجهتها يقف المجتمع الإنساني بأكمله...
هل بالوما كانت شاذة؟
بالنسبة لمجتمعها فالإجابة نعم..
بالنسبة للبشر المؤمنين بمبدأ القوة فالإجابة نعم..
بالنسبة للبشر الناظرين لأنفسهم كخلائف الإله فالإجابة نعم..
بالوما كانت شاذة..
بالوما كانت غريبة..
بالوما كانت غير طبيعية..
و لكنها مع ذلك كانت الوحيدة التي شعرت بلحظات حقيقية من السعادة...
كانت الوحيدة التي وجدت راحة النفس..
كانت الوحيدة التي وجدت السلام الداخلي...
أحببت بالوما جدا.. أحببت روحها النقية و توحدها مع الطبيعة..
أحببت والد بالوما جدا.. هذا الصياد الذي يدرك أن الصيد ليس "هواية" أو "متعة" أو "رياضة".. و لكنه تلبية لحاجة معينة لا يجب الخروج أبدا عن حدودها.. (وبالمنا��بة الأب أيضا كان منبوذا بغرابة أفكاره من مجتمعه)
أحببت بيتر بينشلي لقدرته الرائعة على وصف البحر و مخلوقاته .. و أنا الذي في المعتاد لا أتحمل جمل الوصف التي تزيد علي 3 كلمات!
بيتر بينشلي يخلق بالفعل عالما بحريا رائعا.. صورة جميلة تجعلك تتمنى أن تكون بالوما لرؤية ما رأته و الإحساس بما شعرت به..
بيتر بينشلي يخلق رواية قد تبدو محزنة أحيانا لكنك ما تكاد تنتهي منها إلا و تشعر أنها قد منحتك شعورا إيجابيا رائعا..
و أنا كم افتقدت الروايات التي تمنح الإنسان شعورا جيدا بعد الانتهاء منها!
والأهم:
شكرا لبنشلي انه أضاع طعم المرارة الذي كان في حلقي من قراءة خراء هارولد بنتر و ايرنست هيمنجواي!!
استمتعت بكل كلمة في الرواية و بالتأكيد ستدخل في قائمة مفضلاتي الدائمة...
ألف شكر حقيقة..
اندهش دائما من وجود أسباب "خارجية" لا نستطيع التحكم فيها هي السبب في كل فسادنا..
تارة المجتمع..
تارة القدر..
تارة الإله..
تارة العائلة..
تارة الحاجة..
تارة الخوف..
وننسى .. أو نتناسى.. السبب الوحيد لأفعالنا..
أننا مجرد فاسدون بطبيعتنا!
بينشلي يقدم لنا قصة غاية في البساطة.. و مع ذلك غاية في الإبهار مع بعد إنساني عميق لا يحاول بينشلي أن يصل به إلى درجة الافتعال..
بالوما الفتاة المحبة للطبيعة.. العاشقة للبحر.. تصطدم بأخيها جوو الصياد الذي يبحث عن المال السريع..
بالوما تؤمن بأن كل الكائنات الإنسانية متساوية..جوو يؤمن بأن الحيوانات خلقها الإله ليصطادها الإنسان..
بالوما تؤمن أن الصيد ضروريا فقط كمصدر للغذاء... جوو يؤمن أن الإنسان هو قمة السلسلة الغذائية و من حقه فعل ما يشاء بالكون..
بالوما ترى في البحر عالما لطيفا يحوي الجمال و النقاء... جوو يرى في البحر خزانة تحوي الأموال و يجب أن يغترف كل ما تحويه قبل أي انسان آخر...
بالوما لديها شعور عميق بالحب لكل المخلوقات حتى لأخيها الذي داوم على الإضرار بها.. جوو لا يملك إلا الشعور بالأنانية لنفسه و الكراهية لكل ما عداه...
لكن للأسف بالوما وحيدة.. بالوما متفردة.. بالوما لا تجد احدا في مجتمعها بأكمله تستطيع التواصل معه...
لكن على العكس فإن جوو مثال جيد لهذا المجتمع.. جوو المثال للنجاح الاجتماعي الذي يتسبب ف��ه كون المرء مجرد انعكاس حقيقي لأفكار و أخلاقيات المجتمع..
فكان من الطبيعي أن تقف بالوما وحدها في طرف .. و في مواجهتها يقف المجتمع الإنساني بأكمله...
هل بالوما كانت شاذة؟
بالنسبة لمجتمعها فالإجابة نعم..
بالنسبة للبشر المؤمنين بمبدأ القوة فالإجابة نعم..
بالنسبة للبشر الناظرين لأنفسهم كخلائف الإله فالإجابة نعم..
بالوما كانت شاذة..
بالوما كانت غريبة..
بالوما كانت غير طبيعية..
و لكنها مع ذلك كانت الوحيدة التي شعرت بلحظات حقيقية من السعادة...
كانت الوحيدة التي وجدت راحة النفس..
كانت الوحيدة التي وجدت السلام الداخلي...
أحببت بالوما جدا.. أحببت روحها النقية و توحدها مع الطبيعة..
أحببت والد بالوما جدا.. هذا الصياد الذي يدرك أن الصيد ليس "هواية" أو "متعة" أو "رياضة".. و لكنه تلبية لحاجة معينة لا يجب الخروج أبدا عن حدودها.. (وبالمنا��بة الأب أيضا كان منبوذا بغرابة أفكاره من مجتمعه)
أحببت بيتر بينشلي لقدرته الرائعة على وصف البحر و مخلوقاته .. و أنا الذي في المعتاد لا أتحمل جمل الوصف التي تزيد علي 3 كلمات!
بيتر بينشلي يخلق بالفعل عالما بحريا رائعا.. صورة جميلة تجعلك تتمنى أن تكون بالوما لرؤية ما رأته و الإحساس بما شعرت به..
بيتر بينشلي يخلق رواية قد تبدو محزنة أحيانا لكنك ما تكاد تنتهي منها إلا و تشعر أنها قد منحتك شعورا إيجابيا رائعا..
و أنا كم افتقدت الروايات التي تمنح الإنسان شعورا جيدا بعد الانتهاء منها!
والأهم:
شكرا لبنشلي انه أضاع طعم المرارة الذي كان في حلقي من قراءة خراء هارولد بنتر و ايرنست هيمنجواي!!
استمتعت بكل كلمة في الرواية و بالتأكيد ستدخل في قائمة مفضلاتي الدائمة...
ألف شكر حقيقة..
June 14, 2015
I really want to bump this up to 4.5, because it was pretty close to perfect.
What Peter Benchley did to demonize the ocean and its inhabitants in Jaws and Beast, he equally romanticizes it in The Girl of the Sea of Cortez. This is Benchley's love letter to the sea.
Short and simple, Benchley tells the tale of Paloma, who tries to live by the morals and lifestyle set by her free-spirited (and now deceased) father, while trying to stand her ground against her pigheaded and vengeful younger brother, who is continuously jealous of Paloma's relationship with their father. After Paloma discovers a gargantuan manta ray inhabiting the waters of her "secret spot," Paloma does her best to hide its existence from her brother (who is an unsuccessful fisherman, only interested in making a quick buck). What follows is a moving tale of one person's relationship with the sea, and how their efforts to try and protect it can potentially rip a family apart.
What makes the book even more impressive is the fact that Benchley based the entire story of the manta ray on a real-life experience he had in the sea of cortez in the 1980's, where he got the incredibly rare opportunities to ride on the back of a massive manta ray. Like in The Deep and Jaws, Benchley's knowledge of the sea is impassioned and unparalleled, and it makes everything feels much more authentic.
Benchley said time and time again that The Girl of the Sea of Cortez was his favorite and most cherished novel, and it shows throughout.
What Peter Benchley did to demonize the ocean and its inhabitants in Jaws and Beast, he equally romanticizes it in The Girl of the Sea of Cortez. This is Benchley's love letter to the sea.
Short and simple, Benchley tells the tale of Paloma, who tries to live by the morals and lifestyle set by her free-spirited (and now deceased) father, while trying to stand her ground against her pigheaded and vengeful younger brother, who is continuously jealous of Paloma's relationship with their father. After Paloma discovers a gargantuan manta ray inhabiting the waters of her "secret spot," Paloma does her best to hide its existence from her brother (who is an unsuccessful fisherman, only interested in making a quick buck). What follows is a moving tale of one person's relationship with the sea, and how their efforts to try and protect it can potentially rip a family apart.
What makes the book even more impressive is the fact that Benchley based the entire story of the manta ray on a real-life experience he had in the sea of cortez in the 1980's, where he got the incredibly rare opportunities to ride on the back of a massive manta ray. Like in The Deep and Jaws, Benchley's knowledge of the sea is impassioned and unparalleled, and it makes everything feels much more authentic.
Benchley said time and time again that The Girl of the Sea of Cortez was his favorite and most cherished novel, and it shows throughout.
July 19, 2010
Take one part "The Pearl", mix with equal part "Island of the Blue Dolphin". What do you get? One suck-ass novel! Not the best, and definitely not his best (does he have a best?). So far, it seems that he's going on the reputation of his grandfather and father.
Characters were pretty thin. As with both of his other novels which I just finished, the characters are stagnate also. The plot is threadbare and tossed through a plot-creating device.
A girl can swim! Wait, she can talk to the fish, too, apparently. Her dad taught her much. How to swim! How to appreciate the aquatic life!! He died. Now she lives with her mom and meanie, meanie brother, who is only looking to score some big bucks so he can leave town. He discovers her secret and wants to pillage the beauty of a seamount. Can she stop him? Um, no. But a massive, instinctive, horrific sea creature can! Who has ever heard of that plot development?!?
Characters were pretty thin. As with both of his other novels which I just finished, the characters are stagnate also. The plot is threadbare and tossed through a plot-creating device.
A girl can swim! Wait, she can talk to the fish, too, apparently. Her dad taught her much. How to swim! How to appreciate the aquatic life!! He died. Now she lives with her mom and meanie, meanie brother, who is only looking to score some big bucks so he can leave town. He discovers her secret and wants to pillage the beauty of a seamount. Can she stop him? Um, no. But a massive, instinctive, horrific sea creature can! Who has ever heard of that plot development?!?
March 14, 2021
4.5. I enjoyed this book. I asked my Mom for a recommendation of a book that wouldn’t stress me out more than I already am stressed out 😂 and she recommended this book. It accomplished its purpose. A very nice, quick read.
May 8, 2020
If you love the ocean, and you are hungry for a book that has a character that connects to the beauty and meaning of life simply because LIFE and the fact that all life should be protected - you should read this book.
It reads quickly, drawing you into the familial structure of life in a small fishing village, the gender hierarchy and struggles of a female that is born a conservationist in a village that plunders the local sea life. Tantalising and beautifully illustrates the ecology and nuances of life under the sea. Another must-read.
It reads quickly, drawing you into the familial structure of life in a small fishing village, the gender hierarchy and struggles of a female that is born a conservationist in a village that plunders the local sea life. Tantalising and beautifully illustrates the ecology and nuances of life under the sea. Another must-read.
August 23, 2020
An enchanting and charming tale of the sea. The novel is enough to make you think about the importance of ocean preservation, if that was not on your radar already. Furthermore it's a engaging yarn full of beautiful prose and female empowerment. But, mostly due to the rushed ending, it ultimately falls short of being a true classic.
May 21, 2021
Completely swept away. Benchley's writing is ordinary and at times sentimental, but all is forgiven for the empathy and a care he has for the protagonist and the sea.
June 10, 2022
Fantastic book! Not horror filled, as what you would expect with Peter Benchley. He paints a magical story about a girl and her connection to the sea and protecting sea life.
April 17, 2019
I picked up a hardback copy of this book in a charity shop quite a while ago. It was the author that caught my eye. Yes! Peter Benchley the author of Jaws and also The Deep, I mention these two books as they are the ones I read many years ago. The Girl of The Sea of Cortez is very far removed from the book and the film Jaws and the hysteria that was whipped up at the time. Instead this book is a magical read that delves into the depths of the marine ecosystem that the main protagonist Paloma knows.
This was such a pleasure to read as the author creates such a superb and rich setting. Paloma is very different to others in her village, she follows in her fathers belief that the local fishermen should only catch what they need rather get greedy and take all they can. At it’s core is a message about protecting ocean fish stocks, taking what can be eaten and not sold. Alongside this message runs the traditions and beliefs of the fishing community on the islad. The way things have been done over generations are changing, what went before is being replaced by a new generation who want more from their lives. I understand that people want more things, especially those that live in a more isolated existence.
The story of Paloma and her relationship with a secret area in the Sea of Cortez that is unknown to other fishermen sounds so idyllic. Her affinity with the creatures that inhabit this fabulous area made it feel like such a sacred place, it a gave the story such a magical feel, like a world slightly separate from everywhere else. Paloma is a girl who is willing to buck the trend and stand up for her beliefs and wants to protect the future of the seas. Without careful management she knows that once the fish are gone, then there is no future.
This is a beautifully written story and such a surprise as it was so different to what I expected. It is a powerful and very addictive read that has a very strong message at its core. It is one I would definitely recommend.
This book was originally published in June 1982. That’s 37 years ago, and in that time some of the aspects that are warned about in this book have actually come true. It is so scary to think that in those years there have been many species that are either on the critically endangered or extinct list. Just search on the internet…it is a very sad search…
This was such a pleasure to read as the author creates such a superb and rich setting. Paloma is very different to others in her village, she follows in her fathers belief that the local fishermen should only catch what they need rather get greedy and take all they can. At it’s core is a message about protecting ocean fish stocks, taking what can be eaten and not sold. Alongside this message runs the traditions and beliefs of the fishing community on the islad. The way things have been done over generations are changing, what went before is being replaced by a new generation who want more from their lives. I understand that people want more things, especially those that live in a more isolated existence.
The story of Paloma and her relationship with a secret area in the Sea of Cortez that is unknown to other fishermen sounds so idyllic. Her affinity with the creatures that inhabit this fabulous area made it feel like such a sacred place, it a gave the story such a magical feel, like a world slightly separate from everywhere else. Paloma is a girl who is willing to buck the trend and stand up for her beliefs and wants to protect the future of the seas. Without careful management she knows that once the fish are gone, then there is no future.
This is a beautifully written story and such a surprise as it was so different to what I expected. It is a powerful and very addictive read that has a very strong message at its core. It is one I would definitely recommend.
This book was originally published in June 1982. That’s 37 years ago, and in that time some of the aspects that are warned about in this book have actually come true. It is so scary to think that in those years there have been many species that are either on the critically endangered or extinct list. Just search on the internet…it is a very sad search…
March 20, 2018
Jaws is my favorite movie. Because of this I spent years trying to track down a copy of Benchley's novel, when I finally read the book in middle school I, like Spielberg, found it more disappointing than anything else.
Years later I'd read "Shark Trouble" and take particular interest in Benchley's description of the Manta encounter that inspired this book.
Now having finally read it I can see why he always said it was his favorite.
The story is night and day from Jaws and reflects Benchley's growing pro conservation outlook that he would retain for the rest of his life.
The narrative centers around a girl, her kinship with the sea, and her efforts to protect it from over fishing.
A quick, simple story that should be a favorite among conservationists, or anyone who feels a sense of communion with nature.
Being the conservative that I am however, I did find the stereotypes about fisherman and religion to be a bit heavy handed and cliche, but I realize that a story like this must have an antagonist so I don't fault Benchley too much.
I also found the authors depictions of diving and ocean life to be particularly enjoyable to read. As a scuba diver myself I could definitely relate to the sense of beauty and majesty that Benchley worked hard to create in this novel.
Worth the read.
Years later I'd read "Shark Trouble" and take particular interest in Benchley's description of the Manta encounter that inspired this book.
Now having finally read it I can see why he always said it was his favorite.
The story is night and day from Jaws and reflects Benchley's growing pro conservation outlook that he would retain for the rest of his life.
The narrative centers around a girl, her kinship with the sea, and her efforts to protect it from over fishing.
A quick, simple story that should be a favorite among conservationists, or anyone who feels a sense of communion with nature.
Being the conservative that I am however, I did find the stereotypes about fisherman and religion to be a bit heavy handed and cliche, but I realize that a story like this must have an antagonist so I don't fault Benchley too much.
I also found the authors depictions of diving and ocean life to be particularly enjoyable to read. As a scuba diver myself I could definitely relate to the sense of beauty and majesty that Benchley worked hard to create in this novel.
Worth the read.
April 13, 2019
I know Peter Benchley is famous for Jaws and while I do like those scary killer shark movies, I actually really loved this book more. I found this book by accident one day at the library and picked it up. I'm glad I did because it turned out to be a fantastic story. I actually read this months ago and yet I still can remember it. I think that is a good test if a book is really good or not, as bad ones will fade from your memory. So the book is about a girl who lives on an island and she has a secret little reef she goes to. The tropical fish that live there are her friends and also a giant manta ray comes around too. Her brother though is a fisherman and he wants to kill all of her friends for profit. The story is sad and heart touching and beautiful. The dispute between the two rises into a climax. Also the book explained in a forward how this story was based partly on true events that Peter Benchley and his wife experienced while out at sea. A big manta ray was grateful they pulled fishing line out of it's body and gave everyone rides on it's back. He then turned that incident into this novel. I think this book should be a classic.
July 20, 2015
بالوما..البطلة الصغيرة كما أطلقت عليها..
بالوما وأخوها نموذجين للخير والشر..فهي مسالمة جداً وهو عدواني جداً..
أحببت بالوما جداً جداً..كرهت أخوها وأصدقائه جداً جداً..فهم شخصيات مستفزة تثير الغضب..
أحببت في بالوما حبها للبحر وكائناته..أحببت معلوماتها الكثيرة عن البحر..أحببت رفقها بالكائنات البحرية..أحببت ما فعتله مع الحدأة الجريحة..أحببت شجاعتها وتآلفها مع عالم البحر وعدم خوفها منه..
أحببتها لدرجة جعلتني لا أرغب سوي في قراءة الأجزاء التي تتحدث عنها فقط..
أكثر الفصول التي أحببتها بشدة..الفصل الذي تحدث عن مغامرة بالوما البطلة وهي وحيدة في قاع البحر وتحاول النجاة بنفسها بعدما غدر بها أخوها جو الملعون..
من أكثر العبارات التي أثرت في "الحيوان بطبعه الوحشي لا يثق بالبشر، وهو محق في ذلك!" حيوان لكن بيفهم وعنده نظر والله..
يعاب علي القصة فقط كثرة الوصف..لاأحب الوصف الكثير
أتمني لو تحولت هذه القصة الجميلة إلي فيلم، سوف يكون ممتع جداً
شكراً لمن أتاح لي الفرصة ووضع هذه القصة بين يدي..
بالوما وأخوها نموذجين للخير والشر..فهي مسالمة جداً وهو عدواني جداً..
أحببت بالوما جداً جداً..كرهت أخوها وأصدقائه جداً جداً..فهم شخصيات مستفزة تثير الغضب..
أحببت في بالوما حبها للبحر وكائناته..أحببت معلوماتها الكثيرة عن البحر..أحببت رفقها بالكائنات البحرية..أحببت ما فعتله مع الحدأة الجريحة..أحببت شجاعتها وتآلفها مع عالم البحر وعدم خوفها منه..
أحببتها لدرجة جعلتني لا أرغب سوي في قراءة الأجزاء التي تتحدث عنها فقط..
أكثر الفصول التي أحببتها بشدة..الفصل الذي تحدث عن مغامرة بالوما البطلة وهي وحيدة في قاع البحر وتحاول النجاة بنفسها بعدما غدر بها أخوها جو الملعون..
من أكثر العبارات التي أثرت في "الحيوان بطبعه الوحشي لا يثق بالبشر، وهو محق في ذلك!" حيوان لكن بيفهم وعنده نظر والله..
يعاب علي القصة فقط كثرة الوصف..لاأحب الوصف الكثير
أتمني لو تحولت هذه القصة الجميلة إلي فيلم، سوف يكون ممتع جداً
شكراً لمن أتاح لي الفرصة ووضع هذه القصة بين يدي..
July 22, 2019
This is the kind of book that you start because you’re vaguely interested and the author wrote Jaws.
It’s the kind of book you end with a feeling that you just learned something extremely important.
This book is a complete masterpiece. Benchley’s writing is so eloquent and flowing that you completely lose yourself in the story. His descriptions of the sea creatures, especially the manta, are vivid enough to come to life.
I feel like I know everything about the ocean now. 😂 Which, of course, is about as untrue as it can possible be, but you can really tell Benchley knows what he’s talking about.
I highly recommend this book.
It’s the kind of book you end with a feeling that you just learned something extremely important.
This book is a complete masterpiece. Benchley’s writing is so eloquent and flowing that you completely lose yourself in the story. His descriptions of the sea creatures, especially the manta, are vivid enough to come to life.
I feel like I know everything about the ocean now. 😂 Which, of course, is about as untrue as it can possible be, but you can really tell Benchley knows what he’s talking about.
I highly recommend this book.
October 10, 2015
A simple, heartfelt "love letter to the sea" -- as another reviewer so quaintly put it -- by the writer who brought us Jaws. The story here is about a teenage girl with a kind of otherworldly connection to the ocean and those that live within it. The villians here are not giant sharks, or even the colossal manta ray depicted on the cover, but humans who pillage the sea of its resources.
For readers who never feel quite so at peace as when they are out on, or in, the water, this is the book for you. I fell in love with it immediately.
For readers who never feel quite so at peace as when they are out on, or in, the water, this is the book for you. I fell in love with it immediately.
December 31, 2018
I loved this book, if you only know Peter Benchley from Jaws, you will be entirely surprised at a very different kind of book that I can only call magical. The thing that made this so much more amazing is that it is based on something Benchley actually experienced but I don't want to say more. The other thing that struck me about this book is that though it was written in 1982, Benchley knew what humans were doing to the ocean, it feels like it was written much more recently. The last thing I will say is that this book made me start researching getting my scuba diving certification!
August 8, 2018
Apparently, this is loved by almost all who read it and the author himself stated it was one of his favorite works. It does not have the suspense of Jaws. It is rather a mild tale with some brother and sister squabbles and big dreams that may or may not someday be realized. Most of the action pertaining to that business did not ring true to me. I found the brother rather dim and cruel. The girl of the title is easy to read about and follow through the tale, but the rest of the story is hollow.
July 19, 2024
This is a hidden gem of YA lit. I originally read this as a teen and I remember being utterly entranced by the beautiful story so lyrically written. I reread it recently and was struck by its educational and provocative understanding of marine life, with an eye on man's impact, long before The Anthropic was coined. He also has a siversely sympathetic understanding of varying human motivations coupled with a tempered intelligence about spirituality. It's a beauty.
June 23, 2015
I loved this book as a young girl, and rereading it as a grown woman, I realize that it has never lost its hold on me. I was captivated, and flew through the pages, longing for the ability to swim with the fish once again. Now I know why I have always wanted to do and study certain things in life. I loved it all over again.
January 9, 2016
This book was clearly written by the author as a beautiful love letter to the sea. I don't think I'll ever be able to properly articulate how much I adore this story, so all I'll say is if you're considering whether or not to give it a try please do!
March 20, 2018
So much beauty in this book, and so much struggle. And the reader sees it all, and feels it all. The writing about the ocean was absolutely gorgeous. I didn't like getting to last page of this book as I was sad to see it end.
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