What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dolphin Code
When Corey Sheppard goes to sea with his parents, the young boy sees more than the ocean. The sounds of the dolphins swarm around him, filling him with visions of a strange new world. Mesmerized by this special gift, Corey cannot explain what is happening. But Corey’s uncle, Max Wheeler, an amateur marine biologist, pays close attention. Wheeler brings in professional help from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. What begins to unravel before their eyes is a hidden world that covers the oceans and startles the researchers. It appears that the dolphins have their own agenda. They are attempting to communicate with humans through a prodigy, and Corey is their target. He has somehow broken the dolphin code buried in their songs. Can a specially gifted boy help decipher what the world of dolphins and whales is trying to tell the human race?
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2018
18 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 18, 2018
Freshman year at college they handed us C.P. Snow’s
The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution and told
us to read, learn, remember and act. I only accomplished
the first three.
The Dolphin Code reminded me that I should have gone on
to a better understanding of the other culture, the scientific one.
I’m not even a reader of science fiction, except for Vonnegut,
so I have a long way to go toward an understanding of many
of the sections of this novel about an epic meeting between
two other cultures, land and sea, us humans and the inhabitants of that
sea.
Joe Boudreault’s book rests directly in the slipstream
of Moby-Dick. It is not only about oceans and the great
leviathans living there, but it touches sporadically on great moral dilemmas,
about pollution and its effects and about the songs of the
dolphins and what they mean.
He tells the story of an autistic boy who can interpret
what dolphins are saying.
One could say that Joe Boudreault is fascinated
with the scientific aspects of this story and, indeed, much
of the suspense in the book is of a scientific nature and is
filled with terms this layman did not understand.
There is a moral ground, too, but this part of the
book is not as well-defined as Melville’s colossal battle
between good and evil. It’s there, but it is not Boudreault’s main
concern. The war rivalry between the orcas on one side
and the dolphins and humans on the other surfaces
occasionally, but is never explored at great depth in
ethical terms. And who can really blame the orcas for
acting the way they do? Human pollution is the real devil here.
The book has a good, terse style, reminiscent of, say,
“The Old Man and the Sea”. I felt an overload sometimes, though,
a mass vs. energy equation that did not always work, too much
weight slowing down the flow of the story. Perhaps I would have
liked the author to believe more in the ability of his
readers to put moral, literary and visual distinctions into
play without being told exactly what is happening now.
But he has a scientist's love of illumination,
of complete and exhaustive explanations. (In that
connection, I regretted as a reader that the cover
showed the face of the boy, instead of letting me
imagine it.)
Perhaps a good villain or two (other than the orcas)
might have helped. The autistic boy really is
not very troubling or troubled; it might have been more
convincing had he sparred a little more with his surroundings.
Maybe it would have been interesting to have introduced
characters among the humans who did not really believe in the
project.
Reading the descriptions of the boy’s autism, I was reminded that all four of
my own grandchildren have drawn and coloured as Dylan
Thomas so elegantly put it: “painting book(s) in which I could
make the grass, the trees, the sea and the animals any
colour I pleased, and still the dazzling sky-blue sheep
are grazing in the red field under the rainbow-billed and pea-green birds.”
Maybe that kind of thing is ordinary and not exceptional?
If you have friends or family who have some knowledge of
and interest in, science, dolphins, or sound interpretation, then
“The Dolphin Code” would be a great gift. After all, there is
a great significance in reminding us again and again that
since Rachel Carson’s The Sea Around Us in the 1950’s we have done all
too little to eliminate the pollution that is endangering many beautiful species
around the world, not to mention our own populations.
As The Dolphin Code shows us, the two cultures are dependent
on each other whether we like it or not.
The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution and told
us to read, learn, remember and act. I only accomplished
the first three.
The Dolphin Code reminded me that I should have gone on
to a better understanding of the other culture, the scientific one.
I’m not even a reader of science fiction, except for Vonnegut,
so I have a long way to go toward an understanding of many
of the sections of this novel about an epic meeting between
two other cultures, land and sea, us humans and the inhabitants of that
sea.
Joe Boudreault’s book rests directly in the slipstream
of Moby-Dick. It is not only about oceans and the great
leviathans living there, but it touches sporadically on great moral dilemmas,
about pollution and its effects and about the songs of the
dolphins and what they mean.
He tells the story of an autistic boy who can interpret
what dolphins are saying.
One could say that Joe Boudreault is fascinated
with the scientific aspects of this story and, indeed, much
of the suspense in the book is of a scientific nature and is
filled with terms this layman did not understand.
There is a moral ground, too, but this part of the
book is not as well-defined as Melville’s colossal battle
between good and evil. It’s there, but it is not Boudreault’s main
concern. The war rivalry between the orcas on one side
and the dolphins and humans on the other surfaces
occasionally, but is never explored at great depth in
ethical terms. And who can really blame the orcas for
acting the way they do? Human pollution is the real devil here.
The book has a good, terse style, reminiscent of, say,
“The Old Man and the Sea”. I felt an overload sometimes, though,
a mass vs. energy equation that did not always work, too much
weight slowing down the flow of the story. Perhaps I would have
liked the author to believe more in the ability of his
readers to put moral, literary and visual distinctions into
play without being told exactly what is happening now.
But he has a scientist's love of illumination,
of complete and exhaustive explanations. (In that
connection, I regretted as a reader that the cover
showed the face of the boy, instead of letting me
imagine it.)
Perhaps a good villain or two (other than the orcas)
might have helped. The autistic boy really is
not very troubling or troubled; it might have been more
convincing had he sparred a little more with his surroundings.
Maybe it would have been interesting to have introduced
characters among the humans who did not really believe in the
project.
Reading the descriptions of the boy’s autism, I was reminded that all four of
my own grandchildren have drawn and coloured as Dylan
Thomas so elegantly put it: “painting book(s) in which I could
make the grass, the trees, the sea and the animals any
colour I pleased, and still the dazzling sky-blue sheep
are grazing in the red field under the rainbow-billed and pea-green birds.”
Maybe that kind of thing is ordinary and not exceptional?
If you have friends or family who have some knowledge of
and interest in, science, dolphins, or sound interpretation, then
“The Dolphin Code” would be a great gift. After all, there is
a great significance in reminding us again and again that
since Rachel Carson’s The Sea Around Us in the 1950’s we have done all
too little to eliminate the pollution that is endangering many beautiful species
around the world, not to mention our own populations.
As The Dolphin Code shows us, the two cultures are dependent
on each other whether we like it or not.
March 20, 2018
I like dolphins, I have always thought of them as intelligent and beautiful animals. So I had high hopes of learning more about them and the problems they faced in the modern world. Even fiction novels are a good way of getting serious messages across to their reader. I read this and unfortunately, I really did not enjoy the book. I wanted more excitement, adventure, and depth of character.
March 20, 2018
Well this book seemed a bit familiar... I really enjoyed the fantastic book 'How to Speak Dolphin' by Ginny Rorby, which was also about a special boy who bonded with a dolphin. So I thought it would be a cracker of a read. Unfortunately this one was tedious and boring, and astonishingly I actually failed to finish it... Would not recommend.
February 23, 2020
In the beginning of Dolphin Code, we meet Corey, a specially-gifted boy, and dolphin Sica Three. They seem to have an ability to communicate with each other. Corey also seems to have the ability to read the signs of the sea and the skies, a new colored world he dwells in. Sica Three, using her sense of vibrations to track Corey, can also feel his mind.
Told from different points of view, we learn about Corey’s special gifts. While he might not be able to emote his feelings at first, Corey uses all of his senses to describe his very vibrant world – a very special perspective.
Corey’s parents learn he is autistic. But when tragedy strikes, there’s a shift in the balance, the most immediate effect was that Corey was paralyzed by the unseen power he believed sea wielded against him. He refused to go out again to sea.
But with the help of his grandfather, his Uncle Max, a new homeschool teacher, and the music of the dolphins, Corey’s fascination with the sea is revived.
Words from dolphins, and sense of the sea “ …like a jigsaw puzzle of the auditory and the visual, clue-by clue.” Corey soaks up more knowledge and skills and is ultimately able to communicate with the dolphin world, acting as interpreter.
A fascinating story, there are sections where the narration and exposition, however interesting, might be a bit much. Boudreault has definitely done his research. My favorite sections are when Corey is either doing something or having his inner dialogue as he describes his world. I also loved how Corey later was able to share his knowledge with some of the boat passengers.
Boudreault paints his canvas from a palette full of vibrant colors. He composes symphonies of sound from the orchestra of the ocean. The real gift is how he’s able decode a language – poetry -- for the emotions of a young autistic boy and the world of dolphins. I can already see the movie! Bravo, Mr. Boudreault!
Told from different points of view, we learn about Corey’s special gifts. While he might not be able to emote his feelings at first, Corey uses all of his senses to describe his very vibrant world – a very special perspective.
Corey’s parents learn he is autistic. But when tragedy strikes, there’s a shift in the balance, the most immediate effect was that Corey was paralyzed by the unseen power he believed sea wielded against him. He refused to go out again to sea.
But with the help of his grandfather, his Uncle Max, a new homeschool teacher, and the music of the dolphins, Corey’s fascination with the sea is revived.
Words from dolphins, and sense of the sea “ …like a jigsaw puzzle of the auditory and the visual, clue-by clue.” Corey soaks up more knowledge and skills and is ultimately able to communicate with the dolphin world, acting as interpreter.
A fascinating story, there are sections where the narration and exposition, however interesting, might be a bit much. Boudreault has definitely done his research. My favorite sections are when Corey is either doing something or having his inner dialogue as he describes his world. I also loved how Corey later was able to share his knowledge with some of the boat passengers.
Boudreault paints his canvas from a palette full of vibrant colors. He composes symphonies of sound from the orchestra of the ocean. The real gift is how he’s able decode a language – poetry -- for the emotions of a young autistic boy and the world of dolphins. I can already see the movie! Bravo, Mr. Boudreault!
September 30, 2018
As a Midwesterner, my exposure to dolphins has been very limited. Except for a few trips to Florida and the television show “Flipper” and the movie “Day of the Dolphins”, I haven’t given much thought to dolphins.
Call me a dolphin snob. I’ve just assumed that we humans are smarter than dolphins. However, perhaps we've got it all wrong and we are the stupid ones. Their brains are bigger than ours – right?
Author Joel Boudreault has written quite an interesting book where dolphins and orcas are vastly superior to we humans – we just don’t get them at all. The Dolphin Code describes the plight of dolphins, living in the finite limitations of the earth’s oceans, which have become increasingly polluted by humans.
The human protagonist is an autistic boy named Corey, who, by dipping his hand in the ocean, has the ability to understand a continuous underwater “dolphin song”, sung by all dolphins. This song contains holographic information at an extremely high frequency. Corey represents “the one” who the dolphins have been waiting for - a prophet of sorts - who will finally allow us to understand and communicate with the dolphin world.
An interesting subplot of this story is the adversarial relationship between dolphins and orcas, which has rich story potential (think of “Star Wars” underwater).
Boudreault is an excellent writer. His prose is quite poetic in some sections. The author - originally from Prince Edward Island - writes with authenticity about fisherman living in that region. His description of the autistic world of Corey and the boy's highly selective form of intelligence is well written. It's an unusual story with an autistic hero.
Call me a dolphin snob. I’ve just assumed that we humans are smarter than dolphins. However, perhaps we've got it all wrong and we are the stupid ones. Their brains are bigger than ours – right?
Author Joel Boudreault has written quite an interesting book where dolphins and orcas are vastly superior to we humans – we just don’t get them at all. The Dolphin Code describes the plight of dolphins, living in the finite limitations of the earth’s oceans, which have become increasingly polluted by humans.
The human protagonist is an autistic boy named Corey, who, by dipping his hand in the ocean, has the ability to understand a continuous underwater “dolphin song”, sung by all dolphins. This song contains holographic information at an extremely high frequency. Corey represents “the one” who the dolphins have been waiting for - a prophet of sorts - who will finally allow us to understand and communicate with the dolphin world.
An interesting subplot of this story is the adversarial relationship between dolphins and orcas, which has rich story potential (think of “Star Wars” underwater).
Boudreault is an excellent writer. His prose is quite poetic in some sections. The author - originally from Prince Edward Island - writes with authenticity about fisherman living in that region. His description of the autistic world of Corey and the boy's highly selective form of intelligence is well written. It's an unusual story with an autistic hero.
March 18, 2018
Interesting concept - autistic boy can communicate with dolphins and serves as an ambassador/messenger, helping break the language code. What I liked best about this story were the sections told from the various dolphins' and orcas' point of view (how many novels do THAT?) The description of the dolphin hierarchy was fascinating, and I loved that they had names. I also think the author did a great job with the setting and cultural touches relating to the Canadian coastal fishing communities. Lastly, I liked the fact that thd dolphins, far from being hapless victims of homo sapiens relentless destruction of the planet, have thought ahead and developed an escape plan - one that doesn't involve saving the humans (saying anymore would involve spoilers, so I'll stop there.)
The nitty gritty scientific details about the code itself was a little much for me, but easily skimmed over (if you're someone who liked the way "The Martians" was written with scientific equations and such, you might like this.) There were also some sad sections - I personally get depressed reading about environmental destruction and its effects on animals, so if you're sensitive like me, you might want to avoid the book (although it was not graphic by any stretch of the imagination - I'm just sensitive that such things.) If you have any fascination with language, dolphins, autism, or just like a good code-breaking novel, this one's for you.
The nitty gritty scientific details about the code itself was a little much for me, but easily skimmed over (if you're someone who liked the way "The Martians" was written with scientific equations and such, you might like this.) There were also some sad sections - I personally get depressed reading about environmental destruction and its effects on animals, so if you're sensitive like me, you might want to avoid the book (although it was not graphic by any stretch of the imagination - I'm just sensitive that such things.) If you have any fascination with language, dolphins, autism, or just like a good code-breaking novel, this one's for you.
September 9, 2018
My wife and I read Joe Boudreault's colorful science fiction story about Corey Sheppard, an autistic boy who can communicate with dolphins, which mixes several sub-genres to solid effect. We both felt that it's interesting but also had some issues.
Set in our world (mostly in northeastern Canada), today, there are still some fantastical concepts to come to grips with.
The author shows his chops, with some absolutely wonderful passages. I can only imagine what he could do with other subject matter.
But there are times where redundancies creep in (Corey's experiences and seeing into his world, the dolphins' views about things, as examples). There are also times where the story bogs down with too much attention to minor details.
Probably the biggest issue I had was the lack of a clear antagonist. Part of that is me wanting something as the obvious impediment to the desired outcome. Instead, as with real life, things get in the way much more than some obvious villain. Still, I think a few tweaks could have addressed this gripe.
All that aside, the book is satisfying and I could see people who love our ocean-bound cousins and despair at the way we treat our world really enjoying this story.
Boudreault really needs to put another book out to show us more of what he's capable of!
Set in our world (mostly in northeastern Canada), today, there are still some fantastical concepts to come to grips with.
The author shows his chops, with some absolutely wonderful passages. I can only imagine what he could do with other subject matter.
But there are times where redundancies creep in (Corey's experiences and seeing into his world, the dolphins' views about things, as examples). There are also times where the story bogs down with too much attention to minor details.
Probably the biggest issue I had was the lack of a clear antagonist. Part of that is me wanting something as the obvious impediment to the desired outcome. Instead, as with real life, things get in the way much more than some obvious villain. Still, I think a few tweaks could have addressed this gripe.
All that aside, the book is satisfying and I could see people who love our ocean-bound cousins and despair at the way we treat our world really enjoying this story.
Boudreault really needs to put another book out to show us more of what he's capable of!
September 20, 2019
If you enjoyed the movie “Dolphin Tale”, you’ll definitely enjoy this story as both center on the adored sea mammals connecting with an adolescent that sadly some humans tend to ignore. To start off with, author Joe Boudreault does an excellent job with detail/description which proves he did his research not only with the sea life but with a disease that is quite complex – autism. Although, this story is fantastical in a sense, the attention to detail of it all makes the imagination wonder into realism. Because the core of the story is about the destruction happening inside the ocean, it would make a great film to see on screen to broaden people’s awareness of the pollution inside our seas.
Joe created memorable characters. Max, Corey’s uncle, who is a marine biologist, was my favorite. He had the most action in the story and his love and passion for sea life was something you could really feel. If this man was a non-fictional person, I’d definitely feel safe in a boat out in the middle of the ocean with him.
This author is a wonderful story-teller tackling an issue not many are willing to do the research to write a fictional novel about — destruction inside the sea. Well done.
Joe created memorable characters. Max, Corey’s uncle, who is a marine biologist, was my favorite. He had the most action in the story and his love and passion for sea life was something you could really feel. If this man was a non-fictional person, I’d definitely feel safe in a boat out in the middle of the ocean with him.
This author is a wonderful story-teller tackling an issue not many are willing to do the research to write a fictional novel about — destruction inside the sea. Well done.
May 29, 2018
Fasten your seatbelt! The Dolphin Code takes readers on a wild ride featuring Corey, a boy who is gifted like Rain Man, and his two guardians: his uncle Max, a marine biologist, and his grandfather Josiah, a retired fisherman. The story revolves around increasingly desperate dolphins trying to send a message to the human race through Corey, who receives critical assistance from his guardians, while killer whales try to stop them.
Joe Boudreault offers a well-researched story with meticulously crafted characters. While Corey's severe autism keeps him at arm's length, Josiah and Max are much more accessible with their colorful personalities. The only parts that didn't work as well for me were the POV sections for the dolphins and the whales. While these chapters were helpful in providing insight into their actions, I think the story would have benefited more from keeping their motivations a mystery. But overall, a very engaging read.
Joe Boudreault offers a well-researched story with meticulously crafted characters. While Corey's severe autism keeps him at arm's length, Josiah and Max are much more accessible with their colorful personalities. The only parts that didn't work as well for me were the POV sections for the dolphins and the whales. While these chapters were helpful in providing insight into their actions, I think the story would have benefited more from keeping their motivations a mystery. But overall, a very engaging read.
May 28, 2018
Autism is a troubling medical issue for so many families and those children afflicted with it. Joe Boudreault"s novel, The Dolphin Code, is more about man's destruction of the seas through pollution than it is about autism, but the disease, mostly untreatable, serves as a centerpiece for the story. It is a leviathan of a tale that pits man's inability to communicate with other species against the forces of nature. Mr. Boudreault's research, experience, and language skills are impeccable for such complex topics, but the action sags now and then with electronic jargon that many readers like me won't understand or appreciate. The Dolphin Code is an important work that cries out to be read and acted upon. Had there been a romantic element to balance out some of the science it might have become an easier, more pleasurable read. j
May 31, 2024
I enjoyed the story. I had to skim a lot of the scientific language because it was overwhelming at times. It’s always fun when people write as though dolphins are extraterrestrial (though the only other media I can think of is The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.) There were definitely points where I got lost though. I would have enjoyed a better look into what exactly the dolphins were thinking/planning and their relationship with each other. It was mentioned and was fascinating but I feel like it got lost in the science explanations.
March 15, 2021
Astounding Autism Themed Story, Must Read
I really enjoyed this unusual story about a savant Autistic boy who communicates with dolphins. They characters are so varied and interesting. I loved meeting most of them, well there were enemies. Some of the writing dragged a little, but the descriptions were truly awesome and the visuals were really special. I highly recommend this coming of age story, but it was so much more.
I really enjoyed this unusual story about a savant Autistic boy who communicates with dolphins. They characters are so varied and interesting. I loved meeting most of them, well there were enemies. Some of the writing dragged a little, but the descriptions were truly awesome and the visuals were really special. I highly recommend this coming of age story, but it was so much more.
June 18, 2023
Sci-fi with a touch of paranormal.
The premise that dolphins are a highly intelligent sentient species is at the root of this story. The story is about an autistic savant boy, Corey who understands dolphins. His uncle realizes that the boy sees way more than "normal" people can see due to the boy having a form of synesthesia that allows him to "see" sounds.
There is a rivalry brewing between orcas and dolphins. The dolphins try to make contact with humans and get them to understand their language through Corey.
This is a long story. There is a lot of science fiction mumbo jumbo. There is also a lot of science fact. I like a little romance with my paranormal sci-fi. There were chances for it to be written in this story but then again men aren't that good at writing romance.
The premise that dolphins are a highly intelligent sentient species is at the root of this story. The story is about an autistic savant boy, Corey who understands dolphins. His uncle realizes that the boy sees way more than "normal" people can see due to the boy having a form of synesthesia that allows him to "see" sounds.
There is a rivalry brewing between orcas and dolphins. The dolphins try to make contact with humans and get them to understand their language through Corey.
This is a long story. There is a lot of science fiction mumbo jumbo. There is also a lot of science fact. I like a little romance with my paranormal sci-fi. There were chances for it to be written in this story but then again men aren't that good at writing romance.
November 22, 2019
Good book
Thank you for this . Is a look at another way we screw up .keeps you interested wanting to know what next . Also makes you wonder just what autistic people think about and know . Thank you
Thank you for this . Is a look at another way we screw up .keeps you interested wanting to know what next . Also makes you wonder just what autistic people think about and know . Thank you
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews