Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

43 reviews

142whoopingllamas's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

Great book— Marcellus is lovable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Abandonment, Death, Confinement, Grief, and Cursing

Moderate: Addiction

tdhuck's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, and Animal death

kelly_e's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Title: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Author: Shelby Van Pelt
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: May 3, 2022

T H R E E • W O R D S

Heartwarming • Hopeful • Special

📖 S Y N O P S I S

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 the 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 tentacles for his human captors—until he forms an unlikely 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.

💭 T H O U G H T S

There's no denying Remarkably Bright Creatures was one of the most hyped and beloved releases of 2022. Yet for me, it was the one I was the most uncertain about because animal voices do not often work for me. Despite this, I still knew I'd be picking it up at some point in 2023, and I am so glad that I did.

What an absolutely beautiful story! I fell in love with each of the characters, their stories and how everything intertwined. Shelby Van Pelt does an incredible job in Marcellus' characterization. He is the star of the show. It's no secret that curmudgeons are some of my favourite characters and it's safe to say Marcellus has been added to that list. His dry humour, wisdom, and keen observations about human beings was so unexpected and well done.

Set in the Pacific Northwest, the writing transported me to the small town and made me want to pack a bag to go exploring. Despite suspecting how things would tie together, the pacing kept me interested and the deeply human characterization was a gentle reminder of the importance of connection and friendship. On a deeper level, Tova and Marcellus' unique friendship showcases the power of animals.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of those quiet books where not a whole lot happens, yet it was truly special, leaving a lasting impression on my heart and a smile on my face. It is a hug in book format, a gem of a debut. With a little over a month left to go, it's safe to say, it will be making its way onto my end of year favourites list. I will also be eagerly awaiting news of what Shelby Van Pelt is working on next as I will automatically add it to my list.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of heartwarming stories
• anyone who has ever lost someone
• book clubs

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Why can humans not use their millions of words to simply tell one another what they desire?"

"My death is imminent. But I am not dead yet."

"Some trees aren’t meant to sprout tender new branches, but to stand stoically on the forest floor, silently decaying."

"Being a parent is not for the faint of heart." 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, and Death

Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Animal death

Minor: Cancer, Alcohol, Mental illness, Addiction, Drug use, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Cursing, and Drug abuse

partner death, overdose, accident, drowning

vickybuka's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Terminal illness, Cancer, and Cursing

Minor: Pregnancy

sargasso_c's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Cancer, Terminal illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Cursing

Minor: Pregnancy

kimveach's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

Who knew I liked reading animal thoughts?  After Lessons in Chemistry and now this book, it appears that I do.  This was the perfect book for me right now.  I loved the Puget Sound setting, the characters, and the wise old octopus.  Though the book focuses on loneliness and loss, it feels like you've been given a warm hug.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, and Child death

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Pregnancy, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content

nialiversuch's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Suicide attempt, Confinement, Cursing, Terminal illness, Abandonment, and Death

Minor: Animal cruelty, Addiction, Drug abuse, Animal death, Sexual content, and Drug use

laheath's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

Admittedly, I was skeptical about the premise of this book, but after continually seeing wonderful reviews, I gave in and I'm so glad I did! I loved the narration in the audiobook and would happily listen to a podcast by Marcellus, the octopus! I was immediately drawn into his predicament of being imprisoned at an aquarium. The friendship that developed between he and Tova, the cleaner, was so sweet, as was hers with Ethan, the Scottish town grocer. Enter Cameron, a 30 year-old who has never held on to a job and comes to town looking for his biological father after being raised by an aunt when his mother deserted him. The portrayal of small-town life in the Pacific Northwest was endearing and the themes of loss, grief, and aging tugged at my heart.  The story is somewhat predictable, but seeing how it all came together was a treat, even the emotional ending.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Confinement

Moderate: Pregnancy, Addiction, and Drug abuse

Minor: Alcohol and Cursing

alexisgarcia's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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? Yes

3.5

i have seen so many rave reviews for this book and at a book store i saw a signed copy and bought it. while the plot is pretty predictable, the story is so wholesome and satisfying. there are some darker themes but they are leveled out by one of the narrators of the story, an octopus. that really tied everything together and gave the story some more personality. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Addiction, Animal death, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Mental illness

katgoetzzz's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Tova, after 30 years, must work through mysteries surrounding her son’s death while navigating aging with dignity. Cameron is on a journey to find his father. Their journeys cross through work at the local aquarium and a highly remarkable creature, Marcellus the octopus. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death

Minor: Abandonment, Death, Cancer, Cursing, and Drug use