The Singing Sea

Whether it’s the chance to see hundreds on a rocky beach or the excitement of a singular head emerging from the icy sea, spotting a seal is always a thrilling experience. Deeply personal, occasionally revelatory, why is it that these majestic creatures have such an impact on us?

Charles Foster is determined to find out, swimming with seals in Scotland, joining a boat tour full of tourists in Norfolk and listening to stories by a pub fire to discover just what seals really mean to humanity. Combining science with lyrical prose and meditative insight, Foster journeys through a year in the life of a seal and reflects on the ways they have shaped his own life and that of the people he meets.

From old fishermen’s tales of selkies and the mysterious souls of the greys to playful harbour seals and their adventurous ‘gap year’ travels, Seals is filled with insights into seal biology, behaviour, intelligence and mythology, shining a light on their enduring fascination.