Moby-Duck

The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea and of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists, and Fools, Including the Author, Who Went in Search of Them

By: Donovan Hohn

Narrated by: Christopher Evan Welch

Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

When the writer Donovan Hohn heard of the mysterious loss of thousands of bath toys at sea, he figured he would interview a few oceanographers, talk to a few beachcombers, and read up on Arctic science and geography. But questions can be like ocean currents: wade in too far, and they carry you away. Hohn's accidental odyssey pulls him into the secretive world of shipping conglomerates, the daring work of Arctic researchers, the lunatic risks of maverick sailors, and the shadowy world of Chinese toy factories.

Moby-Duck is a journey into the heart of the sea and an adventure through science, myth, the global economy, and some of the worst weather imaginable. With each new discovery, Hohn learns of another loose thread, and with each successive chase, he comes closer to understanding where his castaway quarry comes from and where it goes. In the grand tradition of Tony Horwitz and David Quammen, Moby-Duck is a compulsively readable narrative of whimsy and curiosity.

©2011 Donovan Hohn (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

When is a bath toy not a bath toy...?

We've all seen or heard of something that makes us scratch our head and ask "why is that", but Hohn takes a simple question and tells of the true search for an answer. A man puts his life on hold to in pursuit of the answer. I enjoyed the complexity of the science, and the simplicity of an answer that sometimes #%it happens!

Interesting story but way too many side jaunts.

So many times I struggled to stay with this book. I don't mind occassional, even more frequent, tangents but at times the author kept takung a leap and then many more off that tangent before heading back. I appreciate the research he did but we don't need to know every tidbit unearthed. Also, skipping from dry as dirt recitations of molecular composition to recounting what sounded like stoner conversation was annoying. Some serious editing would make this an interesting, more coherent read or listen.

Captured my imagination

I really found myself on the voyage with the author, and his mastery of language captured my imagination!

Brilliant narration

I am about three quarters finished with this. The narrator seems to perfectly embody the tone of the author: wry, slightly self-deprecating, and fairly obsessed with his quest to learn everything he can about the fate of the lost bath toys. Along the way he travels far from home to take voyages on a variety of ships, learning about, among other things, plastics manufacture, cargo shipping, oceanography, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Hohn contrasts the happy innocence of the rubber duckie with the darker elements of man's impact on the planet. The author never loses his interest in his quest and I have found it mesmerizing. The descriptions are vivid and beautifully written. And if Hohn, the author, does not sound in real life like Welch, the narrator, he should!

Wow! I liked this even more than I expected!

What did you like about this audiobook?

Yes because both the author and narrator made the story very compelling, informative, and entertaining.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

Tory Horwitz's "Confederates in the Attic", because the style is similar, and because the author breathes life into topics that may seem very dry and anecdotal.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

I found his voice to be very engaging and he made even technical passages sound compelling.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

I did find myself laughing aloud and wanting to share what I'd just heard with those around me. I urge others to read and/or listen to the book.

Rambling and repetitive

I laughed aloud so many times in the first few pages, but his style got old by halfway through the book. The story was too wandering for me. I appreciated the fascinating facts, but I think I’d have preferred reading a handful of articles instead of an entire book with dubious plot. Still, the writing was fun and often clever. I don’t regret the read, but probably won’t waste any recommendations on it.

Intro to global economy and consequences

Like a wide-eyed innocent child going out into the world the author takes you on a voyage starting from a simple question about a common household item. Using a surprising (for me considering his lack of experience in the area) depth of research and insight he breaks down the issues of the global economy, society, and environmental interdependence. I think he does a very good job of presenting a balanced story and shows why there are so many difficult questions that do not have simple answers.

Unless you count full recognition of the cost of product disposal, control of wasteful habits, and an educated consumer that does not consume only for the sake of consuming.

Solid narration presents the material well and does not get in the way of the message.

Interesting and thought provoking.

In the style of Bill Bryson or Mary Roach the author takes a seemingly mundane topic and delves into its hidden complexities. Though not as deftly written as a Bryson or Roach book, this is an interesting and illuminating story.
The narrator does a solid job when he is reading from the voice of the author, but when the author is in conversation with another person, the performer adopts a really dorky voice. Clearly he is trying to make the voice sufficiently different that there is no ambiguity about who is speaking, but the voice he chooses is awkward and off-putting.
Overall, it’s worth a listen though.

Moby-Flop

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Wow, what a waste of time.

What could Donovan Hohn have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

More story and less filler

Any additional comments?

Avoid this book. Story was not worth telling. I could not finish the book.

what happened to the ducks?

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

not to spoil the ending, but i still don't know. I know it's a true story, but its a science book and not a "story". way to technical for me,

Would you ever listen to anything by Donovan Hohn again?

probably not

How did the narrator detract from the book?

a bit dull

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Moby-Duck?

most of it... very redundant