Book Review: The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler
Narrator: Eunice Wong
Published by MacMillan on October 4, 2022
Genres: Animals, Science-Fiction
Pages: 456
Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads

Humankind discovers intelligent life in an octopus species with its own language and culture, and sets off a high-stakes global competition to dominate the future.
Rumors begin to spread of a species of hyperintelligent, dangerous octopus that may have developed its own language and culture. Marine biologist Dr. Ha Nguyen, who has spent her life researching cephalopod intelligence, will do anything for the chance to study them.
The transnational tech corporation DIANIMA has sealed the remote Con Dao Archipelago, where the octopuses were discovered, off from the world. Dr. Nguyen joins DIANIMA’s team on the islands: a battle-scarred security agent and the world’s first android.
The octopuses hold the key to unprecedented breakthroughs in extrahuman intelligence. The stakes are high: there are vast fortunes to be made by whoever can take advantage of the octopuses’ advancements, and as Dr. Nguyen struggles to communicate with the newly discovered species, forces larger than DIANIMA close in to seize the octopuses for themselves.
But no one has yet asked the octopuses what they think. And what they might do about it.
A near-future thriller about the nature of consciousness, Ray Nayler’s The Mountain in the Sea is a dazzling literary debut and a mind-blowing dive into the treasure and wreckage of humankind’s legacy.

I wanted to write this review a week ago, but life got in the way. I gave the book three stars a week ago, but now, as I try to write this review, I feel that two stars would be more appropriate.

The book explores fascinating concepts as conscience, perception, language, and an alternative evolution of some species of octopus. Now, in hindsight, I think this book felt more like reading non-fiction than a proper novel.

There were three switching POVs, which felt a bit confusing at first and were still confusing at the end of the book. The characters never felt fully developed, and the three storylines were never properly tied together. I expected more from Eiko’s story, but that thread was left unresolved. Probably Ha’s story had the most weight, but she didn’t feel distinct enough for me to relate to her. We generally get a deep background on each of the characters, but they still don’t feel alive enough to drive the story.

I enjoyed the exploration of conscience and the differences between human and non-human creatures, such as octopuses and Evrim. I really loved learning more about octopuses and their habitat. I wanted to know more about Evrim, but despite the abundance of details in other aspects of the story, I think the descriptions of Evrim were somewhat lacking. I can’t remember any more distinct details apart from the fact that he often wore a robe. Did they look human? It isn’t clear to me from the book.

I had high expectations for this book, but despite the cool things about octopuses, conscience, and AI, the story felt flat. It’s as if Ray Nayler wanted to explore a range of interesting concepts, but couldn’t craft the proper execution.

I listened to the audio version of this book. Eunice Wong’s narration was a bit distracting at times. I think she put too much emphasis on certain sentences. I would have preferred a more neutral narration.