The Back of the Turtle

The Back of the Turtle focuses on Gabriel Quinn, a First Nations scientist who returns to Samaritan Bay, British Columbia - a community devastated by an environmental disaster he helped create while working for chemical corporation Domidion. His return marks the beginning of an unexpected journey in a nearly abandoned coastal town. The narrative moves between two main settings: the ghost-town atmosphere of Samaritan Bay and its neighboring Smoke River reserve, and the corporate offices of Domidion in Toronto. As Gabriel encounters the few remaining residents of the bay, Domidion's CEO Dorian Asher faces mounting pressure over new environmental catastrophes. The story connects Indigenous storytelling traditions with contemporary environmental issues, exploring themes of responsibility, redemption, and humanity's relationship with the natural world. The novel examines how corporate decisions ripple through communities and landscapes, while questioning whether healing is possible in the wake of environmental destruction.

Readers emphasize the book's environmental themes and Indigenous storytelling elements, noting King's use of humor despite serious subject matter. Many highlight the meaningful exploration of corporate responsibility and redemption. Readers liked: - Interwoven mythology and contemporary issues - Complex character development - Literary references and symbolism - King's signature dry wit Readers disliked: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Multiple timeline shifts causing confusion - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Scientific explanations seen as oversimplified Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (80+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (90+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Takes patience to get through the beginning, but pays off in the end." Several reviews note the book works better for readers familiar with King's other works, with new readers finding the style and pacing challenging.

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver A story of a rural community confronting environmental crisis when monarch butterflies arrive due to climate disruption, linking personal transformation with ecological change.

Solar by Ian McEwan The tale of a physicist whose work on renewable energy intertwines with corporate interests and environmental consequences, mirroring the scientific-corporate dynamics in King's novel.

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood A post-apocalyptic narrative examining the aftermath of corporate scientific experiments gone wrong, with deep connections to environmental devastation.

The Swan Book by Alexis Wright An Indigenous Australian story depicting environmental collapse and corporate exploitation through traditional storytelling methods and contemporary issues.

Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver Chronicles a scientist's return to her hometown where she confronts environmental degradation and indigenous rights while seeking personal redemption.

⚡ King wrote this novel after retiring from teaching at the University of Guelph, making it his first literary novel in 15 years 🌊 Samaritan Bay in the novel was inspired by real environmental disasters, including the Mercury poisoning at Grassy Narrows First Nation in Ontario 🏆 The book won the 2014 Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction, one of Canada's most prestigious literary honors 🎭 Before becoming a novelist, Thomas King hosted "Dead Dog Café Comedy Hour" on CBC Radio, bringing Indigenous humor to national audiences 🖋️ The book's structure deliberately mirrors traditional Indigenous storytelling methods, weaving multiple timelines and perspectives into a circular narrative rather than a linear one