The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness

by Sy Montgomery

Finalist for the National Book Award and a New York Times bestseller, The Soul of an Octopus invites readers into the profound mystery of intelligence beyond the human mind.

Through immersive reporting and lyrical storytelling, renowned naturalist Sy Montgomery explores the world of octopuses—creatures as emotionally complex as they are evolutionarily unique.

Montgomery forges extraordinary bonds with four octopuses—Athena, Octavia, Kali, and Karma—across aquariums and open seas. These fascinating animals display not just curiosity, but distinct personalities, memory, and problem-solving skills. From slipping out of enclosures to shooting jets of water in playful retaliation, their behaviors suggest a sentience that challenges conventional understandings of consciousness.

With scientific insight and heartfelt wonder, Montgomery captures a growing body of research in marine biology that positions octopuses at the center of debates on cognition, emotion, and interspecies communication.

More than a marine life profile, this is a meditation on the limits of language, the power of empathy, and the bridge between two very different kinds of mind. Ideal for readers drawn to nature writing, animal intelligence, environmental awareness, and philosophy of mind, The Soul of an Octopus is a deeply moving, mind-expanding book that enriches any collection in natural science or spiritual nonfiction.