Bob’s Ocean by Robert Lund | Book Review

I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review is written voluntarily. In addition, this post contains affiliate links which may earn me a percentage of the cost of the book. This will not increase your pricing.

Bob's Ocean by Robert Lund
Published by Robert Lund on January 31, 2024
Genres: Picture Books
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Source: BookSirens
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Ask, and ye shall receive.

Bob's Ocean is the story of a fish called Bob who unwittingly embarks upon a perilous journey that leads him to self-discovery and enlightenment.

It is an allegory for young and old alike which will challenge your perception of reality, call into question your beliefs, and perhaps answer the most important question of all.

It is the story of Bob's transformation... and maybe yours.

MY THOUGHTS

 

I read Bob’s Ocean by Robert Lund three times over the course of two years and still didn’t get it. I kid you not.

Then an adult friend threw something at me while I was telling them about my review woes. It sparked a thought, and I grabbed hold of that thought and refused to let it go until I had my “A-ha!” moment.

And voilà… I finally had a review!

I’m going to keep this one brief because I’m trying to be generic enough not to spoil the reading experience for someone else.

Bob’s Ocean follows Bob, a fish whose ordinary day takes an unexpected turn and leaves him seeing the world a little differently. The synopsis describes the book as an allegory about self-discovery and transformation, so I went into the story expecting to look beneath the surface.

What I Liked

• The writing kept me reading. I believed there was something worth discovering, so I read the book three times instead of giving up on it.
• Bob’s journey stayed with me. More than two years after my first reading, I still remembered the story without having to pick the book up again.
• The black-and-white illustrations complemented the quiet, reflective tone of the story without distracting from Bob’s journey.

 

 

What Gave Me Pause

• The synopsis and the story didn’t quite line up for me.
• There were too many words for a children’s book
• Knowing this was an allegory made me search for a deeper meaning, but I found the clues so subtle that I struggled to connect the synopsis with the story itself.
• My biggest concern, however, is the target audience. As a children’s picture book, I found the message difficult to grasp, and I believe children will need an adult to help unpack the story after reading. While I enjoy books that encourage discussion, I don’t think children should have to depend on that discussion to understand the book’s central message.

Recommendation

I’m ambivalent on this one.

I appreciate what I believe the author was trying to accomplish, but I’m not convinced the story fully accomplishes that goal for its intended audience.

If you decide to read Bob’s Ocean, I’d encourage you to read it first before sharing it with younger children. That way, you’ll already have some ideas in mind for the discussion that will follow.

After finishing the book, I spent some time thinking about the story. The more I thought about it, the more possibilities came to mind. Because the book leaves so much open to interpretation, I still don’t know if that’s what the author intended or if he simply wanted readers to stop and think about their everyday lives. There’s a lot to be said for reflection and awareness of self.

I’d love to hear how you saw Bob’s journey. Let me know in the comments!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Lund is an author and composer. Born in the U.S., he grew up in Europe and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Columbia University in New York.

Robert has sustained a lifelong interest in seeking answers to questions that have confounded mankind since the dawn of time. In his quest he has studied the physical sciences, psychology, comparative religion, mythology, theology and philosophy.

In 2003, Robert underwent a profound transformation during which time many of those questions were answered. All of his writings and compositions are based upon the events and revelations of that year.

The first expression of that experience can be found in his debut book, Bob’s Ocean.

 

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