The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight

The Lifecycle of the Common Octopus by Eliza Knight  

ARC from PRH audio and Pamela Dorman Books for an honest review

Book Blurb:

Arriving at the University of Edinburgh for her first term, Pen knows her divorced parents back in Canada are hiding something from her. She believes she’ll find the answer here in Scotland, where an old friend of her father’s—now a famous writer known as Lord Lennox—lives. When she is invited to spend the weekend at Lord Lennox’s centuries-old estate with his enveloping, fascinating family, Pen begins to unravel her parents’ secret, just as she’s falling in love for the first time.
As Pen experiences the sharp shock of adulthood, she comes to rely on herself for the first time in her life. A rich and rewarding novel of campus life, of sexual awakening, and ultimately, of the many ways women can become mothers in this world, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus asks to what extent we need to look back in order to move forward.

My Review: 3 stars

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The Lifecycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight is a debut novel and “Read with Jenna” pick that takes place in both Canada and Scotland. I just got back from Scotland, so this was a bonus to revisit the places I went through a fictional story.

There was a lot to like in this book – the strong female friendships, coming of age and Pen, finding her first real love. Other themes include sexual impropriety, single motherhood and found family. Pen is scarred from her parents’ divorce and feels like they’re holding back on some big secret. She’s not wrong, but how she learns these things are what really shakes her up. She’s a prickly character and at times, unlikeable and judgey.

The Lennox family, now that’s a crew that I’ll share absolutely nothing about as not to give away some big spoilers.

Although I enjoyed the story as whole, there were plenty of times where the book became less compelling and I found my mind wandering. There was something missing in those parts where the narrative fell flat.

The cover art was what sold me on this title; it was perfect for the book. The title though, that took far too long to grasp, so in my opinion, seemed to lack the punch of significance.

I’m curious to see what comes next from her.

Quotes I liked:

No one blinks when a father continues devoting himself to whatever it is he most wants to accomplish in this world. But a wife and mother who has priorities of her own and refuses to put them last? Hers becomes a life of conflict, between who she is and what is expected of her.”