‘Two minds full of turtle thoughts’

Quirky middle-aged single introverts ✅ mild existential introspection ✅ environmentally conscious anti-establishment animal rescue ✅ Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban couldn’t fail in seducing me with it’s heartwarming tale. The two said introverts coincidentally (due to the fact they don’t know each other) decide at the same time to do something about the two giant sea turtles at their local zoo which are kept cramped in a tiny tank. The turtles serve as the fulcrum to the lives of Neaera H. a scatty children’s author and new owner of a stolid water beetle and William G. a hard-up divorcee who has lost everything to his ex-wife, but this isn’t a particularly sentimental or predictable tale. It is rather an examination on middle age, loneliness, authenticity and self awareness.

The second role of the turtles is a metaphorical one: they are a symbol of being true to oneself, of concentrating on what is important in your life and accepting who you are. I have collected a lot of Hoban’s works after I read a review drawing comparisons between him and #kurtvonnegut. After my first venture I wouldn’t particularly agree with this, however there is no doubt he was a talented writer and I’m looking forward to the ten or so others of his books I’ve bought, happy in the knowledge he’s good and my unrestrained purchasing seems like it won’t end up being foolish! ( )

The most exciting thing about this slim novel was figuring out it was written by the author of one of my boys' beloved childrens books, [Bread and Jam for Frances].

Other than that, it was sort of boring. The idea is kind of clever. Two strangers meet because they are both interested in freeing the giant sea turtles that they like to visit at the zoo. But the execution of the novel as a whole left a bit to be desired. There were some clever lines, but this book didn't grab me. ( )

Told in chapters with alternating narration, William G and Neaera are both middle aged, lonely, and alone in greater London. Each is attracted to the sea turtle exhibit at the zoo. They end up partnering with the turtles' keeper to set them free.

An unusual story, with two lonely people--one a divorced father, the other a successful but very single children's book author--who join up for an escapade. For me, the most relatable part was the stress and worry each feels after they commit to setting the turtles free. And both stick to it, and it does actually affect how each lives their lives in the aftermath. In William's case, we see where his life might have gone. Neaera, meanwhile, takes a chance on love. This book is both sad and sweet and hopeful--a testament to lonely modern life and where it can lead, and the importance of taking chances. ( )

"I had always assumed that I was the central character in my own story, but now it occurred to me that I might in fact be only a minor character in someone else's."--William

"I was in my ocean, this was the only ocean there was for me, the dry streets of London and my square without a fountain. No one could make me free by putting me somewhere else."--Neara

Two lonely middle-aged Londoners come together to rescue the sea turtles at Regents Park Zoo and release them back into the ocean. The story in narrated in alternating chapters by Neara, a children's book author and illustrator, and William, a recently divorced bookstore employee. Even though they do not meet until fairly far along in the book, it is eerie how their entries frequently mirror each other. The book is touching, and hopeful, even though it doesn't go for the easy ending.

First Line William: "I don't want to go to the zoo anymore."
Last Line William: "I took a taxi back to the shop, it was that kind of day."

First Line Neara: "I fancied a China castle for the aquarium but they had none at the shop, so I contented myself with a smart plastic shipwreck."
Last Line Neara: "Before going up to the flat I went into the square, played hopscotch in it just as it was, with no fountain."

3 1/2 stars

This was a reread for me. I read it back in the 1970's or early 80's after seeing a very good movie based on the book starring Glenda Jackson. ( )

Rec via Ed Park intro excerpted in Slate.