Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

8 reviews

saurahsaurus's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This is such a beautiful story, that I’m going to cherish for a very long time. As an animal lover, it gave me an even deeper appreciation and understanding for octopuses. I smiled, pondered, laughed, and cried in turns throughout this book. It balanced exploring serious subjects, such as grief and abandonment, with celebrating life—both human and animal—and love in its many forms—familial, platonic, and romantic.

The reflections that I came away with will stay with me for some time. I can already see myself revisiting this beautiful story later in life, as its message is timeless. Respect all life forms, embrace love, and hug your loved ones tight while you can.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Grief, Death, and Cursing

Moderate: Alcohol, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Suicide, Animal death, Pregnancy, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Dementia

thalia16's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Grief, and Cursing

Minor: Drug abuse, Suicide attempt, Confinement, Death of parent, Animal death, Child death, and Chronic illness

bookb1itch's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Beautiful!  The voice of Marcellus the octopus is so fresh and unique and all other characters are "real".  Tova's strength is inspiring and Cameron's humour is fun.  The mystery is expertly paced and the ending is satisfying.  Please read this remarkable book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Alcohol, Addiction, Death, Cancer, and Chronic illness

purplepenning's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

A charmingly original debut with a Fredrik Backman vibe! Tova is an older woman who has lost her share of loved ones and, sometimes to her friends' dismay, copes by staying busy and applying Scandinavian stoicism. While staying busy at her cleaning job at the aquarium, she makes an unexpected friend — a surprisingly deft, gently humorous giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. Observing what others may not,  Marcellus unlocks the mysteries of the past and opens the possibilities of the future. 

I loved Marcellus the first time I read this, but the audiobook version is so good that I fell even deeper for him on the second read/listen!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Child death, Chronic illness, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Animal death, Cancer, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Drug use, Addiction, Blood, and Suicidal thoughts

hannahcstocks's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Drug abuse, Cancer, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Medical content, Confinement, Addiction, Chronic illness, Animal death, Child death, and Grief

Minor: Blood and Alcohol

ciciyo's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, Abandonment, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Animal death, Cancer, Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Addiction, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Suicidal thoughts

purplepenning's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

A charmingly original debut with a Fredrik Backman vibe! Tova is an older woman who has lost her share of loved ones and, sometimes to her friends' dismay, copes by staying busy and applying Scandinavian stoicism. While staying busy at her cleaning job at the aquarium, she makes an unexpected friend — a surprisingly deft, gently humorous giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. Observing what others may not,  Marcellus unlocks the mysteries of the past and opens the possibilities of the future.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Cancer, Alcohol, Animal death, Confinement, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness

Minor: Blood, Addiction, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts

kkalicky94's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Child death, Abandonment, Terminal illness, Cancer, Chronic illness, and Grief

Minor: Suicide attempt and Animal death