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There are currently 32 member reviews
for The Jellyfish Problem
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Hannah L. (Plymouth, MA)
Beach Setting with Psychological Thriller Undertones
I just finished the Fourth Wing series so I was looking for a palette cleanser and Jellyfish Problem delivered! I loved the scenery of Shattering Point because you immediately are transported to this quirky island and it was a book I couldn't put down because I wanted to know what was causing the problem with the jellyfish. A fun read for someone who is looking for a beach read in the non-traditional sense because while this book takes place by the ocean, it actually feels a bit like a psychological thriller.
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Ann B. (Kernville, CA)
A novel about jellyfish, connection, and the cost of insularity
Jo has been captivated by jellyfish since she was a kid. But when she answers a distress call from her former best friend and lover to help with a jellyfish problem on a small island in Maine, she is not just captivated. She becomes an actual captive. She and all the other folks who've laid eyes on Clementine, the island's resident humongous jellyfish. This is a book about the power of community and the cost of insularity. It is chock full of fun facts about jellyfish, but it also deals with grief and survival, love, guilt, demons (both personal and spectral), the risks of connection, growth and regrowth, and the thing that breaks you open when you've been sealed shut.
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Carol R. (Fruitland Park, FL)
Lots of Esoteric Knowledge
Much of the fascination of this book lies in its wealth of scientific information about jellyfish and diving; I knew little about either. But at its heart is the mystery of Clementine--how she lives, how she connect with humans, how she influences the environment. The characters who examine, study, and interact with Clementine are varied and well realized. A tension exists between those who want to destroy Clementine and those who want a more measured approach. Luckily, scientific deliberation wins out in the end. The characters themselves struggle with grief and loss as well as having to face a "sea monster." The monster turns out to be an entity that changes them all.
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Margaret S. (Lincoln, NE)
Enchanting but thought-provoking
I enjoyed this book from front to back. The characters became real to me-to the point that I could picture them in my mind. It's an interesting plot that reminds us that we are connected to nature and clearly each other. This is not a book I would normally have picked up to read, but I could not put it down. The descriptions of the phenomenon of the jellyfish are beautiful and detailed.
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Marilyn B. (Rockville, MD)
Excited to Find What Happens Next & How Does It End
I am still reading the e-book version of this book. I have found it a gripping read from the start. This is a vey unique read, at least for me! The premise of the book is an exciting one. For some unknown reason, I thought the book was about an octopus or octupi, and when I realized it was about jellyfish I thought I would be let down. I am happy to say I am not let down at all. The book's characters and its plot have succeeded in pulling me in from the very beginning. It reads like a thriller mystery, and I find it a real page-turner. Without knowing what will happen next and how thiis book ends, I highly recommend this book.
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Leslie T. (COLUMBUS, IN)
How to fall in love with a jellyfish
I really enjoyed The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang. I have noticed an uptick in novels about exotic creatures of the deep since the documentary My Octopus Teacher was released, and this one does not disappoint. Grief, loss, folklore, science and new beginnings all weave together to form one of those books that will resonate for a long time. I became invested in the characters and I especially liked the growth that we see in the main character Jo Ness. I will definitely be looking for more from this author,
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Ruthie A. (Jersey City, NJ)
What a Tale!!
The Jellyfish problem is unlike any novel I have read. I really loved this story! It combines a wonderful tale with strong characters and relationships, a little zoology, and a bit of mysticism. The characters deal with grief, loneliness, friendship, family and fear all while encountering what may be a giant jellyfish.
The main character, Dr. Jo is grieving, working in isolation in a small aquarium in a small town. She is called to investigate a massive jellyfish that is lurking off the shores of a small island in Maine. What follows is a study of how differing characters deal with the unknown reality of such a mystery.
We see fear, wonder, resignation, acceptance and love. We feel Dr. Jo's awe of the beast as well as her cares for the inhabitants of the Island. We see how the appearance of the jellyfish affects relationships and threatens the community. The writing is quite spare, and the author leaves some descriptors to the imagination, some of which may depend on how you fell about jellies. I had just watched My Octopus Teacher and this novel reminded me of how little we know of these creatures. The fact that we may fear Jellyfish may blind us to their unique qualities.
This novel would be an excellent choice for book clubs and we can find so many metaphors to unpack!
