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singinglizard1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Excrement
clotalksbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? No
5.0
What a beautiful book. The narration was excellent, and it worked so well having a different narrator for the exceptional Marcellus. Speaking of, he was my favourite character and I loved any chapter with him!
The older characters especially were terrific. But all the characters were so fully realised and relatable. There was an understanding that not everyone is perfect, and we all make decisions that we think are for the best at the time. It's ok to change your mind though! Mistakes are part of nature.
Just a very good book, and the audiobook worked well - I looked forward to listening. There are sad bits, but I was also laughing quite a lot. Would recommend.
The older characters especially were terrific. But all the characters were so fully realised and relatable. There was an understanding that not everyone is perfect, and we all make decisions that we think are for the best at the time. It's ok to change your mind though! Mistakes are part of nature.
Just a very good book, and the audiobook worked well - I looked forward to listening. There are sad bits, but I was also laughing quite a lot. Would recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Minor: Drug abuse
star_charter152's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Animal death, Child death, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Cancer
tumbly_weed's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt
ehoustonmyatt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
I listened to this one and the narrators were great, especially the one for Marcellus. This was a very sweet story about grief and how we move forward through it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Suicide, Confinement, Death, and Addiction
book_bear's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
What a wonderful book! Absolutely great and heartwarming! :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, and Suicidal thoughts
tabookish'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
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