The Girl of the Sea of Cortez

Rating:
Summary: A Good Book!
Review: +AH4-This book is not how he usually writes. He deals with killers and other stuff. Even though it's not his usual writing, it is still very good. This book deals with a girl's relationship with the ocean, and how she tries to save her special place under the water from her evil brother. It has alot of adventure so I would still recommend this book to Penchley fans.+AH4-

Rating:
Summary: The Girl of the Sea of Cortez
Review: As an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer I found this lovely little book a true joy. Its description of the underwater wonders along with a beautiful story is one I wish to share when I can find a copy of my own.

Rating:
Summary: The Girl of the Sea of Cortez
Review: As an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer I found this lovely little book a true joy. Its description of the underwater wonders along with a beautiful story is one I wish to share when I can find a copy of my own.

Rating:
Summary: Peter Benchley? Who knew!
Review: At 31, even though I have never seen the ocean, I have already visited the sea. I read this book when I was 12 years old and cannot, will not forget it. The relationships described between the girl and the ocean animals and societies parallel my own relationships with other land locked animals like myself. It is nice to read a book that describes the feelings and thoughts associated with such natural relationships. I certainly may never have the opportunity to do so myself. With this book others can learn the importance of respect for nature and be given the basic tools for strengthening that respect and turn it into love for all earth's creatures. One of the few books I reccomend that EVERYONE read.

Rating:
Summary: Peter Benchley? Who knew!
Review: At 31, even though I have never seen the ocean, I have already visited the sea. I read this book when I was 12 years old and cannot, will not forget it. The relationships described between the girl and the ocean animals and societies parallel my own relationships with other land locked animals like myself. It is nice to read a book that describes the feelings and thoughts associated with such natural relationships. I certainly may never have the opportunity to do so myself. With this book others can learn the importance of respect for nature and be given the basic tools for strengthening that respect and turn it into love for all earth's creatures. One of the few books I reccomend that EVERYONE read.

Rating:
Summary: Illogical
Review: I enjoyed reading this story for the most part but, at times the calm serenity of the overview caused my bloodpressure to rise. I find that the stupidity that is shown of the the girl to her brother brought me nothing but anger. The brothers intentions were so obvious that I time and time agin found myself ranting at the girl to open her eyes and see him for what he truly was. I do understand that the point of the story was her strife but that doesn't, mean she must appear stupid.

Rating:
Summary: A Magical Book
Review: I first read this book as an 11 year old living in Mexico. I immediately identified with the girl who was the main character. Her spirit and sense of adventure and freedom changed me as a person, to realize that I too could be independent and listen to my heart. My love of nature, the ocean especially was infused with a feeling of magic that could only come from its depths.

Rating:
Summary: Save the coral reefs through fiction
Review: I gave the story 4 points because it is a fun and light read, well written and with interesting details about diving and sea life. Just don't go too deep. The author is better at observing the behavior of animals than that of people.

Since the author writes from the viewpoint of a girl, it would have been wise had he consulted with his wife. He could have avoided some annoying, but probably male views, of femininity. It just doesn't happen that way. But if you can see the book as an environmental call to save reef habitats, Benchley did a nice job. He beautifully describes the reef animals and gives us wonderful insights into (snorkel) diving.

Benchley contrasts the views of a progressive father and his daughter with the superstitions of narrow-minded islanders who fish the ocean from the surface but would never dare to dive below. Through her father, the young girl does not only learn to swim and dive but also to appreciate the animals in the world under water. In contrast to the fishers on her island who show little respect for the fish they catch or by-catch, she develops a deep understanding for the life on a reef.

As much as Benchley succeeds in describing the water/underwater scene, he fails in developing his characters. He contrasts the girl's openness and understanding of animals with her brother's narrow-mindedness and greed, but why does he build up an image of a boy who is clumsy and ill-fitted for a fisherman's life and desperately tries to escape the island and then ignores those weaknesses and suddenly paints him pure evil? Why does the highly intelligent and observing girl who easily sees through her brother's motives suddenly lose her vision, and against all common sense, trust his sudden change of mind? After we have learned so much about the girl's independence and strength, Benchley's arguments simply fail.

I did, however, like Benchley's way of letting us know (through the girl's reasoning) how a diver thinks and acts/reacts in difficult situations. So, from the point of diving and underwater life, it was a great book.

Rating:
Summary: Magical....
Review: I had only read Jaws, and the Beast from Benchley before, and i was shocked that he could write such a fantastic story that didnt involve a monster...(well not a typical monster anyhow)

This is the magical story of a young girl who is at one with the ocean and it is almost spiritual the way Benchley describers her adventures...She dives to honor the memories of her father and to guard the seamount from its enemies...including the ememy that happens to be her brother...Fortunatly she has a large Manta Ray to aid her in her quest in more ways than one...

This book had the opposite effect on me that Jaws had - This wonderful Fairy tale made me want to get in the water and swim away...

Rating:
Summary: ENTERTAINING
Review: I like Benchley's writing style- I've read several of his other books. He speaks plainly and his characters are believable and likeable. He makes you want to travel to Baja, CA.