Keiko Speaks: Keiko's True Story Based on His Communications with Bonnie Norton

by Bonnie Norton and Keiko

Read the incredible saga about the orca whale who starred in the movie, "Free Willy." This is Keiko's never-before-told true story based on his communications with Bonnie Norton. Although a gallant... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0976338807
• ISBN13: 9780976338802
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Animal Messenger Pub.
• Length: 195 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Amazing, touching and sad

My boyfriend contacted Bonnie Norton awhile back and told her he was taking me on a suprise trip to Washington and the Puget Sound area. I wanted to thank you, Bonnie, so much for the copy of Keiko Speaks you sent to me. It means so much to know his story in his own words. After reading the book, I went out and bought Communicating with Whales: An Orca's Perspective by Mary Getten and read it straight throughout the night (here's to Lolita!). Thank you for caring the way you do, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a wonderful friend and shoulder to cry on for Keiko when he was losing so much. I hope this book touches thousands as it has touched me. I hope one day I could help the whales to be understood as you have done :) The orcas have always been my life ever since I was a child, sometimes it feels like they're my soul. I know Keiko appreciated every second of help and love you gave to him. Thank you for being his voice. Thanks for everything, ~Lisa

Recommended reading

Keiko is the orca whale that starred in the movie "Free Willy". Keiko Speaks is a true story based upon Keiko's communications with Bonnie Norton, beginning with their first meeting at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in 1997. Their's was a relationship that continued for the next four years as Keiko's trainers and aquarium personnel tried repeatedly to return him to the ocean. Here related are Keiko's four years in Iceland, his incredible swim to Norway, through to his last communication in 2003 when he again repeated an often expressed desire to remain with people. Keiko Speaks is especially recommended reading for animal rights activists, fans of Keiko from his film aquarium appearances, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in animal/human communications.

Keiko died of a broken heart...

I believe this book is an important read for anyone who ever loved or cared about Keiko. So many people wanted him to be free, but it was quite clear that he wanted to be with people. I only wish his care-takers would have honored his wishes. For those of you who are skeptics about animal communication, please open your mind and your heart. Animals are not underlings...they are equals and MUST be respected. They are not our property! They give so much of themselves to us and it's time we give back. I love Keiko very much and this book absolutely broke my heart and made me cry. Even though the book filled me with devastation for what we did to Keiko, I am very glad I read it. Now I know his true story and he has such a beautiful, important message to share with the world. He was such a special, loving, and beautiful creature who deserved everything good we could give to him. I believe now that the mission to set him free bordered on cruelty. He died of a broken heart...alone! How could we treat such a wonderful creature in such an apalling way. All he wanted to do was give his love to the world...and we denied him everything he wanted. I love you forever, Keiko. Rest in peace knowing that your story is being shared with the world. It's not too late!

Keiko's Frustration

I have read the book and it was very emotional for me. With all of Keiko's own body language and behavior it was VERY apparent what he wanted...to be with people. Keiko was a true free spirit with a purpose to HELP us understand his world. I could feel his frustration after every attempt to get his desires fulfilled failed. Keiko's human bonding was of our own doing and we should have honored his desire to stay with us. He asked so little. The fact that he died alone breaks my heart. The book touched me in so many ways and was very inspirational.