A Spoiler Free Review
I knew I was going to finish this book within a couple days and started planning my review, as I often do, ahead of time. I realized this would be difficult for me to review in my usual style. First, because it is a non-fiction book and I haven’t ever given an actual review to a non-fiction book before. Second, the subject matter is a little controversial for some people. Third, I’m not sure exactly what to say about it, like, I’m afraid of misrepresenting it.
Beneath the Surface is a good book. That’s the big takeaway. I think it’s a moving story, especially if you’re into orcas. I didn’t exactly have a good time reading it, but at the same time, I did. I would definitely recommend reading it, especially in conjunction with watching Blackfish. I’m always a fan of more context and Beneath the Surface definitely provides additional context.
Speaking of context, here’s some of mine: I’ve pretty much been primed to be receptive to the the messages of Beneath the Surface and Blackfish since I was young. Free Willy was staple viewing in my household and I still think about it at random to this day. I remember watching footage of Keiko (the whale from Free Willy) when he was being moved from his theme park home to the massive aquarium they built to hopefully reintroduce him into the wild. I have loved orcas for as much of my life as I can remember. That said, I have never, nor will ever, visit a SeaWorld park. I have too much love for orcas to see them as anything other than complex beings.
So yeah, reading Beneath the Surface wasn’t exactly a joy, but it was, I think, a good look inside both SeaWorld and the mindset of the trainers who work for them. I really didn’t find any information Mr. Hargrove wrote about super revelatory, but then, I’ve known about the way they train animals (orcas included, obviously) for years, not to mention the ways “Big Business” treats their “assets”… so yeah. That’s what I’ve got. It’s good. Give it a read.
In Other News
Currently Reading: Curse the Dawn by Karen Chance and The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
Currently Watching: Project Runway and Supernatural
Currently Playing: Pokemon Legends: Arceus
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