The Girl of the Sea of Cortez: A Novel

Jaws undoubtedly is Mr Benchley's most famous novel: it has certain coolness in its story telling. And here is a story that reflects certain warmth that borders on a wild passion for the sea and a caring attitude towards Nature.Paloma lives with her father, mother and a younger brother on an island where the sea of Cortez provides food source and and income for the residents there. The father, Jobhim, trains the daughter to swim and dive while the younger son stays on land. Once the father passes away, the younger brother tries to catch as much fish as possible and as much as money to seek a new future in Mexico City. He sets up a trap to secretly follow his sister Paloma to a seamount where fish is abundant when everywhere else fish is becoming scarce. He even capsizes Paloma's small primitive wooden boat and leaves her in the water. How Paloma fights back? Nature has a way of getting back to the fishermen who catch far more than it is duly appropriate.I feels very much outraged when their sibling rivalry reaches a point where a murder almost comes expectantly but which does not materialize. The injustice leaves Paloma helpless in water but for her ingenious way, she makes her way home safe and sound, which is reassuring.But the revenge from Nature does not resolve such conflicts among the brother and the sister. With dream-like quality, the heroine is rewarded with more oysters, the bad-ass brother is almost punished by capsizing. That is all too good to be convincing.Having said that, I am glad that the ray survives!!

I read the entire book although I was so very tempted to put it aside many times. I continued to read in the hopes it would actually bring forth a story. It did although not much of one. This book only gets 3 stars from me as this book was just plain too 'wordy'. Far too many words telling me nothing, nothing to pull me in and excite me, so I finished the book let down. So many words and yet so little story behind them. Even at the end when Paloma tastes victory, so do you, victory that you actually finished reading it. And thankful it's over. I was one reader who was excited at the thought of reading this book and disappointed in it when I did.

Wow... Just wow. I came to read this book after reading Benchley's Shark Life (so educational) in which the original story of an entire crew getting "rides" on a manga Ray appeared. After telling that story, Benchley names "The Girl of the Sea of Cortez" as his favorite book he's ever written, inspired by their experience. I immediately downloaded the book and began to read it. Such a beautiful story! Such an important lesson. Thank you, Mr. Benchley, for being an advocate for the life in our seas.

This is a charming and heartbreaking story, eloquently told. I identified closely with the main character, a girl who loves the sea. I fell in love with her majestic sea creature friends. Peter wrote this book because of a trip he took to the Sea of Cortez, where he experienced his own amazing encounter with the giant mantas. He tenderly develops the story and the characters, while delivering a powerful commentary on the greed and waste and destruction wrought by humankind. The environmental and ethical issues he raises in such a way that they do not detract from the book, but rather add to the story, anger the reader, and in my case, caused me to re-evaluate my own human footprint. I wish this book were required reading for middle schoolers.

A well-written tale giving me a window into an island culture in the sea of Cortez. The author shared a wealth of knowledge about life under the sea while immersing us in the story of a maturing young woman. A very enjoyable read.

A special story that tells how one young girl loves all the sea life and wants to protect it from being waste and ruined forever. I loved reading how the author was inspired by his own encounters to write the wonderful book.

A terrific read that pulls you into the incredible wonders of the sea, and the delicate balance of honoring the sea while taking from it. The girl in the story lives a life that most would be jealous of, and her passion, wonder and yes righteous anger becomes yours as well. One of the best books I have read in a long time

This is an easy to read book with uncomplicated language. The main character, Paloma, is almost too perfect to be believable, but you can sympathize with her. Not profound as Steinbeck’s other books.

very good

Pure delight