BOOK REVIEW: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

If you're looking for a new comfort read, Remarkably Bright Creatures may be just what you need.

The story centers around an aging, independent widow and her unlikely friendship with a curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus living on borrowed time.

The story is both heartwarming and hopeful and tackles themes of community, family, grief, and aging with dignity. Van Pelt creates feelings of nostalgia and longing without being maudlin. One minute I would have tears in my eyes, the next minute I'd find myself laughing out loud.

I listened to the audio book, which I highly recommend for octopus Marcellus's voice alone. (His disdain for humans and blunt commentary on our life and customs is dry, witty, and perfect.) Fans of A Man Called Ove or Britt Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman will enjoy this title. Ultimately, this is a story about being seen and respected, no matter who you are; it's about finding friendship and family in unexpected places, and overcoming a painful past to look forward to a bright future. I loved it. There's also a Netflix adaptation if you're interested in a book-movie pairing.

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Rembarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt

ISBN: 9780063204164

By Tina Vaughn

ABOUT THE BOOK

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.