The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus..., Emma Knight
The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus..., Emma Knight
1 Rating(s)
List: $22.50 | Sale: $15.75
Club: $11.25

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus: A Read with Jenna Pick

Bestseller

Author: Emma Knight

Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld

Unabridged: 10 hr 8 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 01/07/2025


Synopsis

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY

“Undeniably delicious.” —The New York Times

“A spellbinding debut about friendship, motherhood, first love, and the choices that bind us. . . I couldn't put it down!” —Carley Fortune, #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Summer Will Be Different

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.

About The Author

Emma Knight is an author, journalist, and entrepreneur. Her writing about books, maternal health, and more has appeared in Literary Hub, British Vogue, The Globe and Mail, and The Walrus. Emma lives in Toronto with her family, and The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is her first novel.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Deb on October 13, 2024

2.5 stars. This book has nothing to do with Octopuses and i think the publisher used the cover to draw in lover's of Amazingly bright creatures.......more

Goodreads review by Michelle on January 08, 2025

This is not a great way to start my reading year. We follow our main protagonist, Penelope, whose middle name is Elliot, which she just doesn't understand as Elliot is typically a boy's name. This bothers 'Pen' so much that she digs into her parents' past and finds a guy called Elliot Lennox, who is......more

Goodreads review by Susan's Reviews on December 22, 2024

The intriguing title of this book caught my interest - as did the facts that it was written by a fellow Canadian, is partially set in Toronto, and the two main characters are Canadian transplants, entering their first year at the University of Edinburgh in the year 2006. I decided to go into this one......more

Goodreads review by Angie on January 10, 2025

I had a hard time getting into this, I listened on audio and I went back to the beginning at least 6 times after getting to around chapter 10 because I kept zoning out. I am not sure if it is just not good on audio or if the pacing doesn't lend itself to it. I don't know how this was selected as a J......more

Goodreads review by Tracy GH on January 13, 2025

To say I am surprised by my rating would be an understatement. This currently is Jenna’s book pick of January 2025. The ratings are not overly strong on GR at 3.67 and yet I absolutely adored this book. First of all it is a Canadian author debut! Who doesn’t love that? I also loved that a good majori......more


Quotes

Praise for The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus:

”Undeniably delicious . . . . A tantalizing yet quietly touching debut about inheritance, emerging sexuality and what it truly means to come into one’s own.”
—The New York Times

”A witty novel about navigating independence and complicated relationships.”
—People


“An amazingly accomplished debut.”
—Oprah Daily

“An ode to womanhood, motherhood and female friendship.”
—USA Today


“A sensitive coming-of-age story combined with a handsome setting, [Knight's] novel feels as fresh as daybreak on the moors. . . thoroughly charming and heartfelt.”
—Bookreporter

“The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is a spellbinding debut about friendship, motherhood, first love, and the choices that bind us. Emma Knight whisks us away to Scotland, where Penelope Winters navigates her first year at Edinburgh University while untangling a family mystery. I couldn't put it down!”
Carley Fortune, #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Summer Will Be Different and Meet Me at the Lake

“Brimming with heart, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus is a story about parents and children, friends and lovers, and that moment when a young person must strike out on her own to claim the life she most wants. Emma Knight swept me off my feet.”
Jenny Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Pineapple Street

“Whip smart, unrestrainedly fun, and bursting with heart. . . A novel about finding ourselves, falling in love, and meeting that precious group of friends whom we call family. . . Joyous, clever, and wholly transportive.”
—Katy Hays, New York Times bestselling author of The Cloisters

“Charm on every page. . . enthralling. Academia, friendship, young love, and family secrets, this is as smart as it is delicious, as nostalgic as it feels fresh. . . Knight is a blazing new literary talent.”
—Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push

“In her fiction debut, Knight delicately explores the painful and exhilarating experience of growing up, which for Pen includes falling in love for the first time and realizing that her parents are flawed human beings. . . . A lovely and poignant coming-of-age story.”
Kirkus

“Knight’s gorgeously intimate, cleverly insightful wordsmithing will certainly impress and entertain.”
Booklist

“Memorable characters, witty moments, Scottish settings... Emma Knight’s debut novel has it all. . . . A powerful tale about love, life, choices and friendship.”
—Woman's World

“Wonderfully crafted, Emma Knight's story of friendship, family secrets and first love made me nostalgic about the act of reading itself. Mystery, intrigue, posh Scots and academia, it's a book to lose yourself in. Pro tip: carry it around the house, like I did, for maximum snatched read-time. A beautifully written, page-turning delight!”
—Fran Littlewood, New York Times bestselling author of Amazing Grace Adams

“Sally Rooney fans, take note! Emma Knight's witty, wistful debut will keep you up all night, pondering the mystery and romance at its core, and rooting for Knight's irresistible heroine. I loved it.”
—Joanna Rakoff, international bestselling author of My Salinger Year

“Addictive, nostalgic and comforting, this layered family mystery crept round my heart like a modern-day Dodie Smith.”
Claire Daverley, international bestselling author of Talking at Night