'Octopus' by Nic Low, read by Taofia Pelesasa

This week's short story is 'Octopus' by Nic Low, a writer of Ngāi Tahu Māori and European heritage. Based in Melbourne and New Zealand, Nic is the author of three acclaimed books, Arms Race, Uprising, and Little Doomsdays. 'Octopus' is set on New Zealand's South Island. It is about a rowdy road gang and an octopus, a story in which myth and reality energetically collide.

It is read by Taofia Pelesasa, Western Sydney creative practitioner of Tokelauan and Samoan heritage. Pelesasa has worked as an actor, writer and filmmaker in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Samoa. 

If you enjoy this episode, tune in to StorySALOON's 'In the Saloon with Nic Low and Taofia Pelesasa' for an in-depth conversation between these two fascinating creatives, hosted by Jane Messer. Releasing on April 29, 2025.

'Octopus' was first published in Griffith Review and then in Nic Low's short story collection Arms Race, Text Publishing, 2014.