Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures

By Shelby Van Pelt

  • Release Date: 2022-05-03
  • Genre: Literary Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 6,582 Ratings

Description

A New York Times Bestseller

Now a Netflix Film

A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful examination of how loneliness can be transformed, cracked open, with the slightest touch from another living thing.” -- Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See Here

For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.

Reviews

  • Animals are sentient

    5
    By jess9321!
    I really loved this books insight into the personality/life of an octopus. Far too often are animals overlooked, and simply regarded as less intelligent than humans. But I’ve come to learn that intelligence is a human construct. “If you try to teach a fish how to climb a tree, it’ll go its whole life thinking its’s stupid.”
  • Feel Good Story

    5
    By golfclubbookclu
    I loved the lightness of this book. With so many heavy reads out there right now this brought a smile to my face. The characters are relatable and you can see them in the writing. I never wanted it to end.
  • Lovely Book

    5
    By carocross
    Read it in a day. Something uplifting for a change.
  • Remarkably Bright

    5
    By DLM inWyo
    A few years ago I met Marcellus and Tova. Marcellus is an octopus living in captivity- but unbound by his cage, he wanders the aquarium halls, nooks and crannies where he lives. And he develops a relationship with cleaning lady Tova who finds him on his treks and ensures his safe return to his personal aquarium. Strangely they become friends… and both find new pathways of discovery about life. A deeply thoughtful book, the story left me both happy and sad as I joined Tova and Marcellus in their shared journey that would change everything for them. It’s a love story that I couldn’t put down. Get this book and read it before you see the movie.
  • Stunning

    5
    By litchc
    A wonderful read!
  • Great story

    5
    By John A. Jr.
    I loved the author's descriptive style of writing. The character development was excellent as well as the flow of the story. Very well written and unique tale. I highly recommend this book.
  • ALL-TIME FAVORITE BOOK

    5
    By Patty H.
    I’ve read a lot of books. This is now my all-time favorite. I’ll never forget Marcellus or Tova and their friends. Beautiful.
  • Loved it!!

    5
    By Bamnyc1
    What a clever book. Very enjoyable. I looked forward to reading this each day.
  • Exceptional

    5
    By laurapetsvet
    This book reminded me of the writing style if Fredrik Backman. This is a lovely story of loss and grief and courage and strength and love.
  • A joy to read

    4
    By RedNo7
    Excellent connections. A feel good read