Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

31 reviews

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

---

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

bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious 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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death, Suicide, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Animal death, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent

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.

---

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

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!

---

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

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. 

---

Content Warnings

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

flamingho's review against another edition

reflective medium-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

4.5

This book is was my first of the year. A little late for August, but it was a lovely book to reignite my love of reading. The story was crafted well and I loved the  ongoing theme and different examples of loneliness that exists in our world. I saw the end coming from mid-read and at times was hoping they’d reach the conclusion sooner, but the ride was enjoyable none the less and I wouldn’t trim any of it out. There was couple mysteries left unsolved in my eyes that irked me a bit. That’s why I can’t give this book a perfect score, but this book was truly a joy to digest this week. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

Minor: Suicide, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

I really wanted to know what happened to Cameron’s mother. At least we know his aunt is coming up to hopefully find her in the future. Also, it was hinted at but not really confirmed how Erik died. All we know is an ominous boom from (what I’m assuming was Cam’s mom that Avery talked down from the pier)

cc_shelflove's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted 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? No

4.0

How lovely this book was! I would liken it to A Man Called Ove without the ominous, dark undertones. Almost immediately, the reader is offered three different mysteries: what is the truth behind Tova’s son’s sudden death, who is Cameron’s father, and how on Earth does this octopus keep escaping his tank? This is a story about endless love, hope, and an octopus who brings two unsuspecting individuals together. ❤️🐙 Read this if you are looking for a feel good story with a happy ending. 

“But I do not like the hole in her heart. She only has one, not three, like me. Tova’s heart. I will do everything I can to help her fill it.”

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Child death

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Drug abuse

katharina90's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a sweet story with lovable characters and a charming premise. Predictable, sure, but absolutely worth a read.

Marcellus' POV was my favorite. His commentary on human creatures was accurate and hilarious.

I hope his perspective inspires people to question and unlearn some of the speciesism they've been taught.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, Death, Addiction, Cancer, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Ableism and Classism

randirambles17's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! The chapters follow several different characters throughout the book but ultimately revolve around Tova, Cameron, and Marcellus the Giant Pacific octopus. I loved that the characters were not normal protagonists: Tova is a 70-year-old widow; Cameron is a 30-year-old habitual failure; Marcellus is a freaking octopus! Yet somehow, all of the characters are relatable.
I found the pacing to be a little slow in the beginning, but overall, it was really well done. The characters are lovable and each have their own quirks. They feel like real people.

This book was a birthday gift, and I would definitely read this book again!

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Terminal illness, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, and Death

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

---

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