Review of ‘The Dolphin Who Saved Me’ by Melody Horrill
February 1st, 2024
Publisher: Greystone Books
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REVIEW
“Dolphins bring light and optimism.”
“Dolphins can inspire us to find the light.”
It took me a number of days to read this heart-wrenching memoir by Melody Horrill. I was overcome with such emotion that I had to keep taking breaks. I could feel the pain pour from the pages into my heart—like searing words through a fragile funnel. The extensive trauma and ongoing loss described in vivid and unforgettable detail, squeezed out my innermost thoughts. Melody has a real way with words and their power drew me in— to such an extent, I felt as though I was there in the scenes with her, while she walked, stumbled, swam and ran through endless valleys, waterways and up mountain peaks. Incidents of her homelife and then her time with the dolphins, moved me deeply. The horrors she experienced along with her brother and mother, at the hands of her violent father, are worse than any fiction novelist could conjure. But the freedom she expressed when in the water with the dolphins, was encouraging. This came after the damage done in childhood and teenage years when it left her void of trust and love. While in university, she worked as a field research assistant for her psychology instructor. This was where her real learning began— on the water. These adventures in and out of the boat were the highlight of the book. I could feel Melody’s excitement as she entered new territory with Jock the dolphin. He became the hero, a special teacher and compassionate friend who helped her heal and connect with her true self.
The memoir ebbs and flows like the sea moving back and forth from present to past. It begins in a current timeline with the Prologue where Melody is full of anticipation to learn more about these exquisite dolphins. The excitement mounts as she gets ready to go out on Port River in Adelaide with her lecturer Dr. Mike Bossley.
In the world of symbolism, dolphins represent peace and harmony. Watching them at play shows how joyful and graceful they are but they are also known to be intelligent, generous and protective, as Melody discovered when Jock thought she was drowning and tried to save her. Dolphins are cooperative but are free spirited too, as one can see watching a pod (group of dolphins) in motion. In chapter one, we are introduced to the gorgeous, though physically scarred Jock. Melody’s thoughts of him are written down in a diary like manner where she expresses great feelings of wonder and tenderness for her new flipper friend. There are many beautiful images here that express both delight and sorrow.
Her journey is a complex one and all lessons she learns from Jock and the other dolphins inspire and free her. But it takes time and we are led back into the past where pain and suffering abound. The beloved books of C. S Lewis’s Narnia Chronicles are mentioned and we discover how they comforted and sparked her creative mind. As she said, ‘Although life did not hold much joy, I found happiness in my imagination.’
She had an interest in English Lit and journalism and made a decision to go back to school and complete year twelve, then university. This is the path that led her to healing as it was during her psychology studies she met Mike, her lecturer. He studied dolphins, their behaviour and how people could learn from them. Melody was keen to enter that world as his assistant and when she did, she developed a unique connection with dolphins—particularly Jock and also Millie who inspired her. Through these two and watching others, she developed courage and resilience in the face of adversity—and how to keep moving forward when bad things happened to her.
I learned a great deal about dolphin behaviour from reading The Dolphin Who Saved Me and was amazed by their intelligence and ability to help humans—even though humans have often caused them harm. Their unique communication skills with each other, and with those outside their realm, are amazing.
I got to know Melody through her second book Sheltered when Ultimo Press offered me a review copy. I was quite taken with the rescued animal stories and could see what a caring soul she is and how much she loves, protects and respects them. When she offered me a copy of The Dolphin Who Saved Me, I was more than keen to read her story but nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to encounter. The pain and trauma she experienced growing up, the losses and setbacks, the fear and isolation, the abuse and rejection— were far bigger than any human could imagine or endure. But endure she has and learned from her past to help those who are hurting, broken, lost and abandoned. And that includes animals.
Looking at the stark reality of Melody’s beginnings, the joy she experienced later when she met Jock is an unexpected by-product for it is in sharp contrast to the life she underwent. He was the beautiful soul who inspired, uplifted and led her to light and optimism. And this book is a tribute to him for so many reasons. Just as the message in her second book, Sheltered, is about animals that have been rescued, it is also about how they have rescued their rescuers! We may save them from the cruelty found sometimes in this world, but their presence in our lives can also lead us to healing, hope and wholeness. Their unconditional love, devotion and pure demonstrations teach us lessons we might never have learned otherwise. And for Melody, dolphins were her teachers, particularly Jock who became her hero.
I really cannot express enough the power and importance of Melody’s story with its raw, genuine honesty. It takes great courage to share what she has experienced and I am so happy she overcame the odds. I could easily imagine Aslan, Narnia’s lion or Jock, the dolphin, nudging her back on the path with their noses when things became too difficult. And thankfully she felt their messages of encouragement and never gave up, when she had every reason to. This has also made her victories even more special amid the trials she endured. The result is her well-deserved joy. A joy that shines so brightly it crushes the disappointments, despair and cruelty that came beforehand.
Melody has blossomed into an incredibly accomplished person and made a huge difference in both humans’ and animals’ lives. And even though she wears a mosaic of scars on her heart, mind and soul, they are part of who she is, but they do not define her. They have been woven into a beautiful tapestry of experience with their various shades and colours and now they exhibit her love, kindness and strength. I admire this woman who is a true champion in every way. She has every reason to celebrate her hard earned accomplishments that have been forged in fire. They will stand the test of time. This is, without doubt, the most profound unforgettable memoir I have ever read. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Melody for a copy of her book for review.
