This work investigates the possibility of forming a deep, symbiotic relationship between a human and a wild seal within the isolated environment of the Scottish Highlands. Rowena Farre recounts her experiences living in a remote croft, where she adopts and raises a seal named Lora. The narrative explores the challenges of domesticating a wild creature while maintaining its natural instincts. Farre utilizes her observations of the animal's behavior to reflect on the intersection of human solitude and the untamed wilderness of the north.

Readers frequently note the evocative and atmospheric prose that captures the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape. Experts often categorize this as a classic of nature writing, highlighting its focus on the emotional bond between species rather than purely biological data.