Sea Legs

A mother and daughter’s journey of caring, wonder and whales

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Even though she lived just minutes from the sea, Eleanor had always been deeply afraid of swimming. So when her young daughter Oona, a full-time wheelchair user, took up aquatic physical therapy, she was surprised and inspired by her new-found confidence and freedom in the pool.

As they travel from their home in Edinburgh around Scotland’s coastline, and as Oona grows into a competitive swimmer, their relationships with nature, with local communities, and with each other, begin to grow. And as they encounter dolphins, great whales, and eventually, orcas, Eleanor and Oona learn that sea mammals have plenty to teach humans about care.

On a journey that takes them to Shetland, Iceland and further afield, mother and daughter discover dolphins thriving despite spinal deformities, and whales with missing jaw bones being fed by others in their pod. Deep in the ocean, everything Eleanor thought she knew about the survival of the fittest seems to have been washed away. In its place emerge ideas about another kind of society, one which values interdependence over independence, and encourages community.

Sea Legs is a captivating story of the wonder that water inspires, and the sense of freedom it can offer. This is a special book indeed
Malachy Tallack, author of Illuminated by Water

A poetic story filled with persistence, wonder, and adventure. Together, Eleanor and Oona Dooks take us on a journey to discover how our relationships can transform us—and how the lives of whales and dolphins might teach us something profound about caring for one another. Sea Legs is a moving reminder of the strength we find in connection, community, and mutual care
Lauren E. Oakes, Nautilus Book Awards finalist and author of Treekeepers and In Search of the Canary

Sea Legs is to the reader what the ocean is to the swimmer; gentle, surprising, challenging and powerful. The poetic flow of love, strength and wisdom, from departed matriarch to devoted daughter and fearless granddaughter, drives a deeply personal and seemingly impossible quest to a most delightful and rewarding conclusion
Bradley Trevor Greive AM, International bestselling author of Penguin Bloom and Broken Girl

About Eleanor Dooks

Eleanor Dooks – who also writes as Eleanor Thom – is based in Edinburgh. Her first novel, The Tin-Kin, won the Saltire First Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Not The Booker Prize. Eleanor is also a carer and works in community arts, and spent six years as the Communities Writer in Residence for the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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