Goodreads Blurb

A witty, atmospheric, and brilliantly told novel that offers compelling portraits of womanhood, motherhood and female friendship, along with the irresistible intrigue surrounding an extraordinary British family

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: Rated 2 out of 5 stars

The misleading title, along with its beautiful cover and the opportunity to travel to Scotland to explore architecture and history while enjoying the company of Lord Lennox, was what drew me to this book. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. We selected this book for our book club, hoping to be captivated by it. Instead, I was swept away by boredom. I had to rush through the last two days to finish it because it dragged on for the entire month I was reading it.

The only exciting part of this book is when Margot explains the life cycle of a female octopus. The story heavily focuses on motherhood. The author describes the struggles that Penelope’s mother, Anna, faced, Margot’s decision not to marry, how George’s family dynamics mirrored Margot’s life choices, and how Christina selflessly gave so much without expecting anything in return. Motherhood is a priority for all these women. They protect their offspring in much the same way an octopus does for its young. They give so much in the hope that their children will pursue what they love.

The story explores the strong bonds of friendship between Alice, Jo, and Penelope, which played a significant role in their growth during their first year of college. It depicts various scenarios typical of college life, illustrating how they supported each other through challenging times, helping them navigate their first year. Additionally, the narrative delves into themes of love, self-discovery, and romance. The key elements of the plot include a family secret, friendship, motherhood, family dynamics, and romantic relationships. I wished the story were more interesting and captivating.

Author Biography

Emma Knight is an author, journalist and entrepreneur. She has an MA in Journalism and an MSc. in International Development from Sciences Po in Paris. Emma’s writing about books, maternal health and more has appeared in Literary Hub, Vogue, The Globe and Mail, The Walrus and The New York Times. She is the creator and co-host of the culture podcast Fanfare. In 2014, Emma co-founded a now multi-award-winning organic beverage company called Greenhouse, where she is Head of Brand. She is the author of two bestselling cookbooks, How to Eat with One Hand (2021) and The Greenhouse Cookbook (2017). Emma lives in Toronto with her family. The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is her first novel.