My Life in Sea Creatures

By Sabrina Imbler (2022)

I actually don’t want to say too much about this book.

But I will say this. I found the journey of reading it beautiful, moving and difficult. Imbler interweaves their lived experiences in with the lives of underwater animals with such care and respect, that it does not feel anthropomorphic. With each essay, I was very aware that I was experiencing their interpretation of these animals’ lives. Rather than being told what these animals were feeling or thinking. As such, it was both educational and magical. It felt more like embodied surrealist art rather than science communication. An experience that was so real, so present and material, yet I was in my body recalling my life experiences not putting myself in their shoes or these animal’s (metaphorical) shoes. It took me on an emotional and personal journey of healing in the company of these more-than-human beings.

This is why I want to include this book in this imaginary book club and not talk too much about it. It is the closest I have ever felt to being-with the author and the more-than-human world without actually being outside in nature. I was always aware that I was being guided through an interpretation, that was not my own. I did not feel like I was being told that these animals feel human emotions, but that this way of assembling stories gave Imbler permission to explore their history, their body, their identity, by learning about the beauty of sea creatures. In turn, I felt I had permission to relive my own experiences. This gave me a deep seated compassion for both Imbler and these creatures. Yes I learnt more about these animals, but what I took away was knowledge of our combined need to adapt, survive and care for each other¹.

I am not going to tell you to read this book as I did with the others. It is your choice. For me, it is a difficult journey, but one I will never forget. You can find the book here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/441955/my-life-in-sea-creatures-by-imbler-sabrina/9781784743956

But you can also listen Imbler’s reading of one of the essays here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kwY6ooHFKkA4rKdjjWGWF?si=lwMG63hXSQihg3hM1e_xVw

Sabrina Imbler, I know you and most likely no one else will read this blog. But here is my opportunity to say thank you. Through hearing your voice I think I heard my own.

To have a voice is a right. To use it is a choice. To speak out is a risk. To speak for the survival of others, that is our shared responsibility.

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Footnotes:

1. Taken from the book blurb: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/441955/my-life-in-sea-creatures-by-imbler-sabrina/9781784743956#:~:text=adapt%2C%20survive%20and%20care%20for%20each%20other. ↩︎

Book cover: Imbler, S. (2022). My Life In Sea Creatures. USA: Penguin.