The first thing I see when opening the cover of Fish Tank by Scott Bischke are blurbs from other reviews, several of which compare the book to Orwell's Animal Farm. While it's a valid point, it feels like a cross between Animal Farm, The Lorax, and "Finding Nemo." In fact, the connection to “Finding Nemo” felt so strong that it was hard picture the characters and events in the book as anything other than cute computer-animated fish.

This is very unfortunate because the message contained in the novel is so important. When Professor Brown leaves his aquarium in the care of Augustus for a year, Augustus decides to cut corners and places a year's worth of fish food in the automatic feeder so that he doesn't have to come back to tend to it. However, Augustus grossly underestimates the amount of food which the fish need, a fact that quickly becomes aparent to a few of the more intelligent denizens of the fish tank. As they call for conservation of the important resource, they are met by heavy opposition from the crabs, who continually ensure everyone that there is plenty for everyone.

I won't go much further into the plot, but suffice to say that this is a not-so-subtle allegory to the current plight humanity is facing inside our own fish tank. The book focuses on the limits and sharing of resources, eventually global warming, the selfish actions of a few who make things worse while assuring everyone that all is well, and the skewed facts they rely on to prove these points. The metaphor is not subtle, which becomes part of the problem with this book.

While Animal Farm may not have been subtle with its allegory of the Russian Revolution and the events that followed, there was an artistry to it that makes the book more translatable. There's an underlying social complexity that requires the reader to work a bit more but provides a significant reward. But with Fish Tank, there's not much under the surface (no pun intended). While containing an important message and using a similar device of using animals to represent different parts of society, the message is so heavy-handed that it feels as thought the entire novel is potentially unnecessary or, at worst, might be considered by some to be condescending. Everything is quite blatantly obvious, and little to no work is required on the part of the reader.

Again, it's unfortunate given the message's importance, and until the very end, it's almost difficult to take the fishes' dire situation that seriously because of the cute imagery. Really, the problem there is simply bad timing. If the cultural significance of “Finding Nemo” wasn't so prominent, this would probably not be an issue.

I would still recommend this novel for its message, and maybe others will get more out of it than I could, especially because I've been so immersed in the subject for a while now (which probably makes me identify with Doc Hansom, the goatfish), but I failed to take as much away from this novel as I probably should have.

Also, I probably should not be writing this review while hungry, because now I want seafood.

As such, Fish Tank by Scott Bischke earns 3 out of 5 starfish. ( )

I received an autographed copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I have not decided how many stars to give this book. The only books that receive 5 stars are those that speak to me in a way relevant to the current circumstances in my life, and this was not one of those very rare books. This book is probably above 3 stars and less than 4 stars for me.

I enjoyed it. It was written to be easily read in order to raise awareness about climate change. As I was reading it, the book definitely prompted comparisons to current worries about environmental effects and greed. So, I think it does well at fulfilling Mr. Bischke's stated purpose.

Having grown up in Oregon, I have a soft spot for books that take place there. This one takes place along the Oregon coast.

Because of the aquatic creatures who serve as the characters and the readability, I think it would be suitable for tweens. Reading it as an adult. I would have preferred a bit more characterization or more to the plot, but that would not be compatible with the author's intent of making it accessible to all ages. I am not sure it is appropriate for young children because they might not understand the greed of the crabs and might be upset with the final chapter, although there is also hope at the end. The allegory is an entertaining story which provides a basic and dramatic introduction to the effects of climate change. ( )

"Fish Tank" is a fairly clever story, akin to the old Aesop's Fables, told through the voices of fish in an aquarium. It's meant to be a parody of people who think environmental dangers, if real, can be addressed at some point in the future, and need not be a concern for today.

In this very short and easy to read book, the fish in the aquarium begin to recognize that their environment is beginning to worsen. Some of the more intelligent fish recognize that the aquarium management has been left in the hands of a bungler, a man who takes shortcuts to maximize his own personal short term benefits, but his action or lack of action places the long-term survival of the aquarium at risk. The fish population is slow to react, and consider the warnings of a few of the "intelligent fish" as being "alarmist". The vocal majority convince the others that nothing need be done, that things always work out in the end, and that they can live life as always without concern. Gradually, food becomes scarce as predicted by the intelligent fish, and most agree that belt tightening would be a good precaution, although the most vocal denier fish devise a scheme to obtain extra food for themselves. To these selfish few, sacrifice is something for others, not for them. Over time, conditions worsen, and in spite of warnings of the critical need to take action, most fish are slow to take action until it's too late. Food becomes even more scarce, and the actions of a few greedy fish cause the tank temperature to rise to unhealthy levels. Soon, the caulk along the seams of the glass walls begins to soften, allowing water to leak from the tank. The fish are left with only the desperate hope that the original caretaker will return before catastrophe strikes, knowing that baring that miracle, they are doomed.

The obvious lesson is that those who fail to listen to the experts who study and know, who instead follow those with selfish motives, and who just want to continue along in their established ways, may find that waiting too long can mean facing irreversible problems, and possibly a loss of their world as they know it.
( )

This was a neat little book. It was quite a fast read - even my 11 year old was able to finish it in one day after school. Fish Tank was well written and thoroughly good at conveying its message. I found the allegory a little on-the-nose, but it seems like it would be great in a classroom setting with younger readers. It did make me ponder the world we live in and my own reactions to the changes I see going on around me. ( )

This would be a great selection for a middle school English or Science class. The writing is forthright and easy enough for even struggling readers.

The book was written as an allegory for our current social battle concerning global warming but it contains the reasons for the battle if the readers discuss and explore.

Cognitive dissonance features strongly in this book, although it is not labeled as such. As with many societal ills, present and historical, cognitive dissonance is a larger than life foe.

In the Fish Tank there are two small groups of leaders/activists. One side is concerned with the welfare of all and the other sides is only concerned with itself. Those concerned with the welfare of all see the dangers and try to come up with a solution to solve the problem. Those only concerned with themselves feel that the loss of life on the part of others is acceptable for their purposes.

Almost everyone in between suffers from cognitive dissonance at some point in time. It is easier to deny reality if it suits the needs of the moment. The various sea creatures who can not be qualified as "ringleaders" allow themselves to be convinced all is well, because it is easier than making a change in their habits.

In addition to exploring cognitive dissonance, the book touches on responsibility. August was paid to take care of the aquarium. It would not have been an extreme burden to care for it properly, yet he almost immediately defaulted to looking for a shortcut. And the shortcut took construction and ingenuity to be sure. But like the oil spills of recent years, negligence led to disaster.

There are multiple behaviors and psychological factors that can and should be discussed upon reading this book.

This book is not for someone who wants to be entertained and dazzled. This book is for thinkers and problem solvers.


( )