Pippi has become afraid of water since her mother drowned nine months ago.
She lost two parents on that day, as her grief-strcken father
took off shortly after his wife’s death.
Pippi, broken and filled
with anger, is left with Uncle Isaac, her last family member.
Isaac, worn by life, has become befuddled. But
Pippi is always ready to fill his empty mind’s thoughts and his mouth’s forgotten words for him.
But for how long will she
be able to do so?
When she falls off the bow of their fishing boat, she is saved by the giant octopus, Octavia.
Uncle Isaac decides that it is time to tell Pippi that with her mother’s death, she has inherited the burden of
Keeper of the Octopus.
Pippi discovers her mother’s diary which holds the
history of her ancestors, and now her own role as carer for Octavia.
With this
responsibility, she is changed from a frightened child to a responsible caretaker
of tradition.
Prompted by the lust for money and power, the Calamary
brothers arrive in their deluxe fishing boat with intent to drag up every fish
possible from the sea with their secret nets; their strongest focus being the giant octopus.
Without anyone to support her efforts, Pippi makes her own plans to stop them, knowing what they are
planning will disturb the natural balance of the underwater world, and destroy life as
they know it.
This is a superb magical realism adventure with
fantastic characters, many of which are animals, that play significant
roles.
There is their home-help Ferg, a small hob goblin, Wally,
her best friend, who was born with a crooked leg but would do anything for
Pippi, the people of the tavern that look out for Isaac, and her surrounding community.
She is much-loved and also watched over by her albatross
friend, Fairweather, her father’s old dog Mussels, and the boat’s cat,
Buccaneer.
There are unexpected twists, turns, and lots of tension in
this fascinating, imaginative and engrossing novel.
Nerida McMullin’s knowledge of octopi is impressive. This information is embroidered into the text with careful consideration. Her use of colour
to portray emotions, works very well throughout the story.
A beautiful portrayal of the
connection between humans and the underwater world, reminds us that we depend on all of Nature that surrounds us for survival, just as Nature depends on us.
Title: The Keeper of the Octopus
Author: Neridah McMullin
Publisher: Walker, $ 17.99
Publication Date: 1 October 2025
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760659479
For ages: 10+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
