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Venus Among the Fishes
When their pod is attacked by orcas, Coral's dolphin parents send her in search of her brother, Silver, and safer waters, a journey that takes her into temporary captivity among humans. By the authors of Thunder Rolling in the Mountains.
143 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1995
3 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Hall
77 books15 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Elizabeth Hall is the author of college text books, psychology books, young adult and children's novels, a former managing editor with Psychology Today and the former Editor-In-Chief of Human Nature.
Since being taught the alphabet at age two in an unorthodox manner, Ms. Hall's literary achievements have spanned five decades. She continues her adventures in both the literary world and in her personal life, whether white-water rafting, studying wolves, or braving the Alaskan countryside.
Source: Author's website.
Elizabeth Hall is the author of college text books, psychology books, young adult and children's novels, a former managing editor with Psychology Today and the former Editor-In-Chief of Human Nature.
Since being taught the alphabet at age two in an unorthodox manner, Ms. Hall's literary achievements have spanned five decades. She continues her adventures in both the literary world and in her personal life, whether white-water rafting, studying wolves, or braving the Alaskan countryside.
Source: Author's website.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 5, 2017
There is a definite history for me on this particular book that I will not relate although in a sense it is the open sign of my reading addiction. All I care to tell is that it was around my first year in middle school when we were in some mobiles off of OHS since they were building the school and sometime either before or after we were allowed to use clay for one of the classes while I made a dolphin, which was pretty decent.
Anyway personal history aside, this book really caught my eye this time around in its re-reading due to the current conflict that has been going on to free all captured orcas from show business and Sea World's most recent announcement that they won't breed their orcas anymore. Although the book does also include the usage of orcas from capture of wild animals to the attempts to make one learn tricks in a small pool it gives more spotlight to the same effects and problems that captive dolphins face while also lightening it with a "fictional" story that gives the reader more time to study the effects that humans have on all marine life.
The writing at times can be poetical and beautiful as the authors give the reader a chance to view the marine world around them, especially if you aren't one who gets to experience the ocean as much as others. But also unfortunately at times the story seems a bit sluggish and slow that it made me struggle to continue although I knew how the story would run.
Due to the dolphins are main characters it feels that the authors were attempting to make them human-like so they could be relatable but at the same time keep them to the level of mere animal. There were places where stronger feelings could be relatable to the reader but it was only received as a vibe instead of an actual touch. All throughout this book the reader is given with the conflict of creatures that are similar to us and yet at the same time quite different.
The only other problem I found with this book is the fact it doesn't quite end. There are the ending sentences and the thought of happily ever after but when reading the last page or two you know there is a whole another story to be had to get Coral home. Does she succeed? Does she fail? What about her brothers and/or nephew? What does she find about her home? And what about Sea Fan? So many questions to leave the reader making up a whole new story to finish the original.
As for a reading audience I would strongly suggest someone who is interested in the plight of these beautiful animals while also at the same time being able to face the harsh realities of the real world. There is blood and violence as well as suggested other undesirable feelings but nothing too outward to take away from a YA story.
Anyway personal history aside, this book really caught my eye this time around in its re-reading due to the current conflict that has been going on to free all captured orcas from show business and Sea World's most recent announcement that they won't breed their orcas anymore. Although the book does also include the usage of orcas from capture of wild animals to the attempts to make one learn tricks in a small pool it gives more spotlight to the same effects and problems that captive dolphins face while also lightening it with a "fictional" story that gives the reader more time to study the effects that humans have on all marine life.
The writing at times can be poetical and beautiful as the authors give the reader a chance to view the marine world around them, especially if you aren't one who gets to experience the ocean as much as others. But also unfortunately at times the story seems a bit sluggish and slow that it made me struggle to continue although I knew how the story would run.
Due to the dolphins are main characters it feels that the authors were attempting to make them human-like so they could be relatable but at the same time keep them to the level of mere animal. There were places where stronger feelings could be relatable to the reader but it was only received as a vibe instead of an actual touch. All throughout this book the reader is given with the conflict of creatures that are similar to us and yet at the same time quite different.
The only other problem I found with this book is the fact it doesn't quite end. There are the ending sentences and the thought of happily ever after but when reading the last page or two you know there is a whole another story to be had to get Coral home. Does she succeed? Does she fail? What about her brothers and/or nephew? What does she find about her home? And what about Sea Fan? So many questions to leave the reader making up a whole new story to finish the original.
As for a reading audience I would strongly suggest someone who is interested in the plight of these beautiful animals while also at the same time being able to face the harsh realities of the real world. There is blood and violence as well as suggested other undesirable feelings but nothing too outward to take away from a YA story.
May 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this story at first. I found the dolphin perspective fun and interesting. The writing was descriptive, creative, and engaging. I felt like I was swimming alongside Coral in the ocean. A lot happens to Coral in a short time... like the authors tried to have her experience everything that any dolphin might have happen to them in a lifetime. This made for a quick-paced yet convenient plot.
October 9, 2024
This is oddly paced-- the first half racing with lots of excitement and the second half after captivity trudging along. The dolphin's crush on a human is needless, and without it, I would more heartily recommend this for a slightly younger age set. As it is, I'd say maybe 9-12 is the intended audience. Lots of violence towards animals, the whale death especially sad. I didn't love the writing style or the ending either. Like another reviewer suggested, we really needed a few more pages, maybe in the form of a epilogue.
July 19, 2011
I've owned this book forever, and I always enjoy returning to it once every year or so. Its a quick read, but absolutely delightful and anyone who likes animals will enjoy reading it.
Coral and her brother Snapper have set off to look for their brother Silver. Killer whales have been attacking their dolphin pod and they need his help to save everyone. But their travels aren't easy, dangers lurk around every corner and when Coral is captured by humans, she worries for her brother's safety. But miraculously she ends up at a dolphin enclosure where her other brother Silver lives. She begins to forget the pod as she performs tricks for humans and learns to please them. But something never settles right for Coral and she isn't sure what type of life she'd like to lead; that of a free dolphin, or one protected by the humans.
For dolphins these characters were believable. As no human has been a dolphin its hard to say what they could really be thinking, but in my opinion, this book captured what they could be like. Coral was a great protagonist and like a human, went through many different thought processes. I also liked all the minor characters and thought they added to the story as well. My least favorite would probably be the Killer Whales; while they were an integral part of the story I don't think we learned enough about them to make a huge difference in the book.
I wouldn't say that this book had a set plot. Rather the plot and goals seemed to change and it was more like real life; only lived by a dolphin. This is a children's book but you should be warned that there's some disturbing scenes in it. One, the murder of a whale by whalers is somewhat descriptive and could effect some people negatively. And its not the only death mentioned in the book. The other writing is fairly easy to read and the speech the dolphins use was intriguing. I think it made it that much more effective in the writing because they weren't talking like people so you didn't forget who they were.
Overall a great kids book (or guilty pleasure for an adult) and one that I come back to again and again. I highly recommend taking a look at this one.
Venus Among the Fishes
Copyright 1995
143 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
Coral and her brother Snapper have set off to look for their brother Silver. Killer whales have been attacking their dolphin pod and they need his help to save everyone. But their travels aren't easy, dangers lurk around every corner and when Coral is captured by humans, she worries for her brother's safety. But miraculously she ends up at a dolphin enclosure where her other brother Silver lives. She begins to forget the pod as she performs tricks for humans and learns to please them. But something never settles right for Coral and she isn't sure what type of life she'd like to lead; that of a free dolphin, or one protected by the humans.
For dolphins these characters were believable. As no human has been a dolphin its hard to say what they could really be thinking, but in my opinion, this book captured what they could be like. Coral was a great protagonist and like a human, went through many different thought processes. I also liked all the minor characters and thought they added to the story as well. My least favorite would probably be the Killer Whales; while they were an integral part of the story I don't think we learned enough about them to make a huge difference in the book.
I wouldn't say that this book had a set plot. Rather the plot and goals seemed to change and it was more like real life; only lived by a dolphin. This is a children's book but you should be warned that there's some disturbing scenes in it. One, the murder of a whale by whalers is somewhat descriptive and could effect some people negatively. And its not the only death mentioned in the book. The other writing is fairly easy to read and the speech the dolphins use was intriguing. I think it made it that much more effective in the writing because they weren't talking like people so you didn't forget who they were.
Overall a great kids book (or guilty pleasure for an adult) and one that I come back to again and again. I highly recommend taking a look at this one.
Venus Among the Fishes
Copyright 1995
143 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
November 5, 2017
#ReadKidsLit
While Elizabeth Hall made a valiant effort to finish Scott O'Dell's work, this book still feels sadly incomplete (especially with what feels more like an unfinished ending than an open-ended one).
I also couldn't get behind the simplistic writing style, which was intended to convey a dolphin's alien intelligence, but instead came across as juvenile. The One and Only Ivan and The Music of Dolphins are two other children's books with a simplistic writing style, but those were beautifully written, with the sparse prose coming across almost like poetry. This book, sadly, is not poetry, though it certainly had a lot of potential.
While Elizabeth Hall made a valiant effort to finish Scott O'Dell's work, this book still feels sadly incomplete (especially with what feels more like an unfinished ending than an open-ended one).
I also couldn't get behind the simplistic writing style, which was intended to convey a dolphin's alien intelligence, but instead came across as juvenile. The One and Only Ivan and The Music of Dolphins are two other children's books with a simplistic writing style, but those were beautifully written, with the sparse prose coming across almost like poetry. This book, sadly, is not poetry, though it certainly had a lot of potential.
August 23, 2015
Ages ago a student bought me this book at a book fair because he knew I loved oceans and the sea. it was a great gift that took me almost 15 years to read. Written years ago before all the Sea World controversy, it should call onto question anything that contains these beautiful creatures of the sea. will be treasured part of my permanent collection.
September 18, 2016
I have owned this book for about 4-ish years now. It's such a easy book but it's beautiful in it's own way. I would love to see this in a movie.
It's super cute how the main character made so many friends, went through captivity, through some military training, and then freed herself. One of my favorite books. Great for younger readers interested in marine life.
It's super cute how the main character made so many friends, went through captivity, through some military training, and then freed herself. One of my favorite books. Great for younger readers interested in marine life.
August 18, 2015
What a fantastic story. I can just picture cuddled up in bed with my grandbabies reading this story to them. It has adventure, friendship, and it's even a little scary. It focuses on human and dolphin interactions set into a exciting narrative. It's a great read for all.
February 17, 2010
A favorite book from when I was little.
August 2, 2011
Good book. Very easy though. Good for young readers.
September 11, 2011
Nice, quick read.
August 31, 2012
This was a wonderful book!!! I loved it!!! I have read this book 3 times already!! This is a good book for someone who likes dolphins and Marine animals!
May 24, 2015
This was such a beautiful story. I read a chapter or two to my nephew every night. we actually finished it a week ago but my internet stopped working.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews