I began reading this book expecting it to be more about the octopus, along the lines of Remarkably Bright Creatures, which I loved. The octopus plays a pretty minor role in Sea Change, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ro's story was beautiful and heartbreaking. I loved the way the story was told in flashbacks to the events in Ro's past that shaped her and led to her current situation. Her relationships with her mom and her best friend were complex and real. Great characters with realistic flaws.

“We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t see some reflection of ourselves in everything.”

This story follows Ro, a thirty-year-old woman who took a job at an aquarium in a mall to satisfy her desire to be closer to the sea animals that her missing father devoted his life to, where she nurtures a special connection to Dolores, a giant Pacific octopus. Ro is having a really tough go of things when we first meet her, from her boyfriend leaving her to embark on a mission to Mars to strained relationships with her mother and best friend, and to make everything worse, a rich investor interested in the aquarium is threatening to upend the one constant thing that brings her joy in her life. What follows in the pages is an emotional journey that alternates perspectives between present day and her past, as we watch Ro navigate through some really difficult times on the way to a hopeful future.

I have yet to be let down by an octopus story this year, and this one was no exception. The octopus in this one, Dolores, wasn’t quite as front and center as some others featuring octopuses on the covers, but she still provided a lovely thread in the background that weaved the story together over the years. I was personally a little disappointed that Dolores didn’t play a larger role in the narrative, but this is just a matter of expectations and readers should go into this one recognizing that there isn’t a ton of focus on the octopus.

I really enjoyed Ro as our main character. She is quirky, messy and complex, but completely real and relatable in her story and all of her flaws. Ro has quite a bit of trauma in her past that causes her to be extraordinarily hard on herself, ultimately leading to depression and attempting to ease her pain with alcohol. Although we did seem to spend the vast majority of the novel in the melancholy, difficult parts of Ro’s life, it was also lovely to see her grow throughout the pages, eventually embracing the importance of self-care and recognizing her strengths in the end.

“I’d never thought about that before, that letting myself fully heal from something and taking care of myself could be just as important as work.”

All in all, this was an emotional and compelling debut story of love, loss, hope, loneliness, and so much more. I do wish we would’ve gotten to the hopeful, ‘swing-up’ part of the story a bit sooner, and that it ended with perhaps a little more closure, but it was still a lovely reading experience. The difficult topics were well-balanced with some millennial humor, and I really appreciate all of the lessons that came through in the writing. Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sea Change is the story of Ro, a Korean-American woman working at an aquarium and dealing (badly) with the recent breakup with her boyfriend, and the less recent loss of her father. Ro is a wonderfully imperfect main character, complex and messy, and likeable both in spite and because of the messiness. The character arc she goes through is interesting and very satisfying to read.

The narrative remains very focused on Ro, alternating between the present and flashbacks of various moments in her past. While the story certainly maintained my interest, I do have to say that I expected there to be more focus on the octopus that Ro cares for, and I was a little disappointed that there wasn't. Dolores appears only sporadically throughout the story, and does not play a big part in the narrative, so adjust your expectations accordingly and don't go into the book expecting a ton of octopus content.

Other than that, I definitely recommend the book. The narrative is compelling and the writing is thoughtful and beautiful. I genuinely enjoyed it.

This story is told in such a refreshing and unique voice that I really enjoyed. Ro is a relatable narrator, and her insights into the behavior of a beloved giant Pacific octopus at the aquarium where she works are really beautiful. I was surprised by how emotionally resonant and moving this book was, and I can't wait to read more from Gina Chung.

I feel very drawn to books with a meditative lens about animal behavior, so upon reading the synopsis for this book I knew I had to read it. The descriptions of Dolores' color change and movement were so vivid I could picture them as I read, and I felt soothed by the imagery of her floating. Chung's interwoven chapters between present and past give a unique peek into Ro's life and I felt that they added important support for the reader to feel like they "knew" her. The snippets of Korean food and culture added a familiar layer to the story for me as well, growing up with Korean grandma. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who is drawn to books about loss and grief, or to anyone who is struggling with needing closure but knows it may not come.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage Books for the ARC.

Aurora ("Ro") is stuck in her aquarium job at the mall. She is a Korean American woman in her mid 30's and drinks to much and hasn't move on from the loss of her father and the breakup with her ex. Her friends and family try to move her forward to no avail. When the Giant Pacific Octopus that Ro cares for in her job is sold to a private buyer, her life begins to truly unravel. Can Ro get back on her two feet? If you like underdog stories, tales about octopi or just want want a charming contemporary tale, Sea Change is for you! #Knopf #Pantheon #vintageoriginal

Good stuff. This is an interesting story with characters I enjoyed watching deal with lots of challenges. I look forward to more of Chung's work.

Thanks very much for the free ARC for review!!

Thank you so much to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Vintage, and NetGalley!

Ro is stuck in her life. Her boyfriend has just left on some exciting space mission, she's estranged from her mom (her dad went missing years ago), and she is stuck at her job. The one thing she likes in her life - an octopus named Dolores that her dad discovered that lives at the aquarium she works at - is about to be sold to an investor. She has to come to terms with a lot of childhood trauma in order to move on in her life and repair relationships.

I really liked this book. It was so interesting to read. Gina Chung did an amazing job of creating a character out of an octopus. I felt all kinds of emotions with Ro. I particularly liked the story lines involving her mom. There were moments that felt hopeless and moments that were full of hope. Again, huge praise to the author for capturing such a great character with an octopus! What a different kind of story.

Chung's writing made it easy to get lost in Ro's life, with her nuanced family and her vivid passion for marine life (speaking of, I love looking at this book cover). In hindsight, knowing how the story reaches its conclusion, I wish certain supporting characters were developed more. 3.5 stars.

It has been fifteen years since Ro’s (Aurora) father, a marine biologist employed with a local aquarium disappeared, on a research trip. Her father’s love for marine life is something he shared with Ro ever since she was a child. Ro’s fascination with sea animals prompted her to take up a job in the same aquarium in the field of animal husbandry. Ro, now in her thirties and employed with the aquarium for over eight years, feels a special connection to Dolores a giant Pacific octopus that was one of her father’s finds and feels that Dolores can understand her and vice versa. Ro misses her Apa and harbors hope that one day he will return. Her relationship with her mother is strained and her best friend Yoonhee, who is also employed with the aquarium is busy planning her wedding and seems to be distancing herself from Ro. Ro, heartbroken after her recent breakup with her boyfriend Tae who was selected for a mission to Mars, is struggling with her loneliness, memories of her father and tension-filled exchanges with her mother. As the narrative moves back and forth between the past and present we get to more about Ro’s Korean immigrant parents, and their troubled marriage which has impacted how she perceives commitment and relationships. Adding to Ro’s unhappiness is the fact that the aquarium, hard-pressed for funds, is negotiating the sale of Dolores to a private buyer who wants to add Dolores to his private collection. The narrative follows RO as she navigates through all these changes occurring in her life, deals with past trauma and disappointments and rethinks her priorities, finding a way to accept all that has happened and make plans for her future.

Sea Change by Gina Chung is a moving story that touches upon themes of family dynamics, loss and grief, love and friendship and self-acceptance. Ro is flawed and in that she is real and relatable. Her struggles mostly stem from her past trauma and her inability to be kind to herself, which holds her back from investing in her personal relationships and prompts her to drown her sorrows in alcohol. I was particularly moved by how the author addresses the complicated relationship between Ro and her Umma and the factors that contributed to their strained relationship. I loved the descriptions of the animals in the aquarium and the information on sea animals and cephalopods in particular. The author draws our attention to the state of animals in captivity and how kindness and compassion are imperative in not only nurturing human relationships but also our relationships with all living creatures and the environment in general. The author also touches upon how the increase in environmental pollution and climate change is adversely impacting the living conditions of marine animals. I would have enjoyed more scenes with Dolores and maybe I was expecting more of those interactions. But ultimately this story is about Ro. The author balances the melancholic and depressing tone of the novel with splashes of humor and I’m glad that the story ends on a hopeful note. This is an impressive debut novel and I’ll be looking forward to reading more from the author in the future.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Sea Change by Gina Chung is due to be released on April 11, 2023.

Ro is a Korean American woman in her early thirties, dealing with the end of a romantic relationship and still grieving the disappearance of her father decades earlier. She struggles with disconnection from her best friend and her mother–and finds solace in her connection to Dolores, a giant octopus at the aquarium where she works.

SEA CHANGE is a subtle, layered, emotional read that captures the feeling of the sea, of grief and loss, of fear and abandonment, and also the slow discovery of love and connection and meaning. Read it if you enjoy connecting to a character across scenes, deepening your understanding of their life slowly as you move between past and present.

Readers who appreciate a complex rendering of the Asian American experience will also enjoy this book. In SEA CHANGE, the Korean American immigrant experience is woven in, not as a primary focus, but as a context that shapes both Ro’s connection to the people she loves–and a source of wounding and disconnection.

SEA CHANGE would also appeal to readers who like fiction with a light speculative/futuristic element. Though set in a future where climate change has turned the Bering Sea into a toxic Bermuda Triangle of sorts and humans are launching the first expedition to colonize Mars, the novel still retains the feeling of current contemporary life. Though there are touches of futuristic life (a dating app that assesses compatibility by capturing all of people’s digital information, oppressive heat in early spring), Ro’s daily life feels similar to current contemporary life. In particular, her Korean immigrant experience feels like one where childhood was shaped by the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act rather than a 21st world where K-Pop inspires teens of color. This makes the “future” elements appear more as a commentary on current society than a fully realized future world. However, this is not a serious drawback since the strength of the book is in its beautiful, complex, and moving portrayals of Ro’s emotional life.

Overall, SEA CHANGE is a slow but beautifully rendered novel of loss, connection, and self-discovery.

This is “a thing” now, right? Cephalopod friendships. It’s the second one in a few months. I had total FOMO after missing the opportunity to read the other popular octopus book, so I wasn’t taking a chance passing up on this one.

An impressive debut by a Korean American author, Sea Change will grip you and won’t let go. It’s fresh and unique and quirky. It’s edgy, too, with some swearing and some ‘right in your face uncomfortable’ prose to see if you’ll blink. So Millennial.

You’ll meet Dolores, a giant Pacific octopus, who happens to be Ro’s best friend and her last link to her father, a marine biologist who disappeared on an expedition. Ro is going through a tough spot right now and, thankfully, Dolores is there to ‘lean on.’

Author Gina Chung discusses difficult family relationships, love, loss, abandonment, and climate change. She explores the need to confront and then come to terms with childhood trauma in addition to the importance of fully committing and being present in our relationships with others.

I love the focus on seeing anomalies, such as Dolores, as beautiful. We’re all beautiful anomalies. Let’s embrace it.

I’m glad I took a chance on this fabulous book about a giant Pacific octopus and a girl who struggles to find her place in an ever-changing world.

Plus, now I can say I’ve read a book about Enteroctopus Dofleini …

I was gifted this advance copy by Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Sea Change is a novel with heart, soul, a unique storyline, and empathetic characters. I have read one other octopus-themed novel this year and several sea-themed stories, so it seems this creature is occupying the collective artistic imagination. Recommended if you enjoy good writing and quirky stories. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

(4.5 stars) It seems as if human-octopus friendships are a thing right now. There’s the excellent documentary My Octopus Teacher and the book Remarkably Bright Creatures, which I have yet to read. But this is not yet another book about a human-octopus friendship. It’s much deeper than that. Dolores the giant Pacific octopus is an important character, but she’s not the main character in Sea Change. That title would go to Ro (short for Aurora), a 30-something Korean American woman who works at an aquarium at her local mall. Ro spends her days cleaning up and feeding fish. She enjoys a special relationship with Dolores the octopus, ever since her father found Lo 10 years earlier on one of his treks to the Pacific Ocean as a marine biologist. Ro’s father disappeared on one such trek when Ro was 15, and her relationship with her mother has been estranged since. She is also dealing with her own case of abandonment, as her live-in boyfriend Tae has left her to join a mission to Mars.

I loved the characters in this book. Everyone from Ro to her mother (Umma), to her best friend (Yoonhee), to the affluent man who tries to purchase Dolores for his home aquarium. All felt real, like true-to-life flawed humans. I also loved how the Korean ancestry of the characters added to the story, but wasn’t a focal point. Everything worked for me in this book actually. Even the father (Apa), who wasn’t physically around, made his presence felt through the love of sea life that he passes on to his daughter.

I’d be surprised if this book isn’t highly popular when it’s published. Its tale of love, loss and abandonment is a compelling one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.

While this was an... odd book, I felt that this read was overall alright. The premise is interesting, but not something to really hammer home on.

Ro (the protagonist) is definitely a flawed character, but I really cared for her and my heart went out to her.

Ro works at an aquarium and cares for an octopus that her father discovered. Subsequently her father has disappeared, evidently (likely?) lost to the sea.

This is a debut novel by Gina Chung. I would definitely be interested to see what she writes next.

The protagonist is Korean-American. This book is a mix of Crying in H-Mart and (possibly ... I haven't read it yet) Remarkably Bright Creatures.

The descriptions of the octopus and other animals at the aquarium are really descriptive and beautifully written.

I really enjoyed Sea Change.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gina Chung the author and Vintage Books for the opportunity to read the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Well done and now following the author. Once Again, many thanks to NetGalley for introducing me to a new author.

What an adventure! I mean, the main character didn't travel the world but her own past, present and most certainly she grew up page by page. I had some struggles mid-book to continue because the description of her depression was quite vivid (especially the alcohol addiction)... I have never felt so down myself in my life but I would recommend the readers to discover this beautiful story when their spirit is great... it may be a little too much if you have a down period in your life...
But that said, I loved to discover some facts about marine fauna, to jump a little bit in the Korean culture and most definitely to share this human feeling that, somehow, we all go through life and try to do our best but still fail sometimes. It's definitely a book I would recommend to people who would like to read a slow developing story centered about feelings and how the main character is dealing with every day ups and downs...