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heyitslindsay's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Addiction, Cancer, Child death, Grief, and Abandonment
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."
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."
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, drowningkirstym25'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Death
Minor: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Cancer
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!
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
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.”
“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