Turtle Dolphin Dreams

Marian K. Volkman
Loving Healing Press (2005)
ISBN 1932690107
Reviewed by Cynthia Baute for Reader Views (4/06)

“Turtle Dolphin Dreams” is a mystical little book that challenges us to consider the questions “what if humans could communicate with other life forms on our planet,” and “if we could, what would they say?”

Though initially the story seems a bit contrived, it is also quickly engaging. Through an endearing voice that speaks to the childhood love of animals and universal connectedness, the story presents opportunities for both literal and allegorical interpretations.

The following passage struck a deep chord with me, in relation to the nature of human existence and interrelationships: “Ocean and air teach us by their coming together. In sensing our difference from each other, our uniqueness, yet reaching out to deeply know and understand another, we form not a division, but a seam.” Throughout the story, other passages have similar small wisdoms to impart.

I occasionally found the message chain (dolphin to turtle to human) and the corresponding changes of narrator from one to the next to be distracting, and descriptions a bit overly verbose and formalized. In spite of these minor technical shortcomings, I was thoroughly engaged in the book and the messages it has to share.

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