Book Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Rating: ★★★★☆(4/5)

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Introduction: I was recommended this book by readers on a FB page I am in. It did not seem like something I would have picked up a year ago but I have been reading so many different kinds of books this year I gave it a go. I was very pleased with the outcome.

Quick Facts

• Release: May 2022 Read: May 2025
• Reading Time: 6-8 Hours
• Pages: 368
• Perfect for: Fans of Literary Fiction
• Spice Level: 🌶️
• Trigger Level:💀

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Summary: A Brief Overview (Without Major Spoilers)

From Good Reads:

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 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 arms for his human captors–until he forms a remarkable 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.

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What Worked for Me:

What Worked for Me:

Marcellus: I love this octopus! He’s witty and puts the pieces together before the humans do. It reminds me of when authors usually lay out the facts for the reader to figure out before they let the characters figure it out. He had the same reactions I do whenever I want the character to hurry up and connect the dots.

Character connections: The chemistry between the characters was very relatable if you are from a small town.

The Magical Realism: Let’s be so for real… It’s an octopus that can magically get out of his tank and is essentially a detective. I have not read a lot of books where one of the main characters is this magical creature that fits into another very non magical setting and I loved it.

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What Didn’t Work for Me: Trigger Warnings and Criticisms

The Pacing: It was just a little hit and miss for me. I felt like I wanted to skim parts after a while. Some of it had to do with wanting to guess the ending.

Cameron: He was a loser and a brat. Yes his character arc revolved around trying to not be such a brat but he was one. It was hard for me not to roll my eyes at his antics.

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Final Thoughts:

This will be a fun summer read for anyone looking to take a break from summer rom coms.

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📚 Study Guide

• Discussion Questions: (From the Today Show)
  1. What kind of person do you think Marcellus would be if he were human? What qualities do Marcellus and Tova both share that make this remarkable friendship a success?
  2. Each of these characters — animal and human — need each other in a specific way, even if they don’t realize this at first. What qualities bind these characters to each other? Are they connected by loss, grief or something else?
  3. In contrast to how Tova keeps busy, Cameron emerges as a character who deals with grief by remaining stagnant, refusing to even try to reach his potential, much to the frustration of those who care about him. Why do you think he sabotages himself? Have you ever had someone like this in your life?