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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, drowningvickybuka'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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Terminal illness, Cancer, and Cursing
Minor: Pregnancy
issamay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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: Child death, Confinement, Abandonment, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Animal cruelty
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
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Confinement
Moderate: Pregnancy, Addiction, and Drug abuse
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
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
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
vireogirl's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75
The octopus narrator is the best. Snarky, intelligent, and other-worldly. A beautiful story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, and Grief
Minor: Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Vomit, Animal death, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
jhbandcats's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
This book is full of warmth and love from beginning to end. It was such a comforting read. Normally I read books that are dark or violent, and this was so refreshing. (I’m going back to my disturbing books in just a moment; I just want to extol the virtues of this one first.)
I loved the cranky octopus Marcellus, a prisoner in a small glass cell for most of his life. He has a lot to be cranky about: he’s smarter than the other sea creatures in the aquarium so he has no one to keep him company. Plus, he’s *definitely* smarter than the humans who stroll by every day, peering in and leaving their fingerprints smeared all over his tank.
He’s figured out how to escape his tank and wander around after hours, and he befriends a clever widow when she rescues him from an adventure gone wrong. The bond between these two is the backbone of the book (even though octopuses don’t have backbones). However, it’s the bonds between the denizens and newcomers of the small town that drive the narrative.
Lovable, flawed characters, a couple of mysteries, and an exploration of human nature combine to make this book a Remarkable Creature in and of itself.
I loved the cranky octopus Marcellus, a prisoner in a small glass cell for most of his life. He has a lot to be cranky about: he’s smarter than the other sea creatures in the aquarium so he has no one to keep him company. Plus, he’s *definitely* smarter than the humans who stroll by every day, peering in and leaving their fingerprints smeared all over his tank.
He’s figured out how to escape his tank and wander around after hours, and he befriends a clever widow when she rescues him from an adventure gone wrong. The bond between these two is the backbone of the book (even though octopuses don’t have backbones). However, it’s the bonds between the denizens and newcomers of the small town that drive the narrative.
Lovable, flawed characters, a couple of mysteries, and an exploration of human nature combine to make this book a Remarkable Creature in and of itself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Child death, Grief, Addiction, Animal death, and Confinement