Book Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Looking for a break from SF&F books, I took a recommendation from a friend at work to check out Remarkably Bright Creatures. I originally avoided the book because it’s tagline is “for fans of A Man Called Ove“, a book I just personally hated, but Creatures had me from the first page.

I can’t believe this is a debut novel and I’m going to be down for anything else she writes.

I am a huge fan of the magical realism genre, which I think due to the talking, sentient octopus, we can argue fits this book. Marcellus had me from page one! All the other characters are wonderful too, not necessarily because I like them but because they feel like real people with real issues and a lot of growth regardless of their age.

Tova is about 70 and ready to pack it up and retire to an independent senior living facility. It’s hard as she struggles with the loss of her independence and not having family to care for her, plus not wanting to be a burden on friends. I love her practical nature and that she still finds ways to work and have meaning.

Cameron is an insufferable brat but he has a nice character arc with good growth. He’s also central to the big mystery of the book – who is his father and how did Tova’s son die 30 years ago? Cameron comes to the town with only a loose hint, looking for a man in a yearbook photo, and finds a whole lot more than that.

The other side characters are awesome too, with lots of personality and life and their own problems.

The entire book deals with moving on after loss and long-term grief. Finding new friends and family, whether biological or the ones chosen. Realizing that you have to engage with your future even if it means being honest about your past.

Mischievous old folks making BFFs with a cranky octopus is everything I needed in my life right now. The aquarium setting was somehow perfect for this novel.

It’s a fast paced read with many endearing aspects. I found one major inconsistency with a character that had only been in town a few years inserting themselves into something that happened many years prior, but other than that I had no quibbles about anything.

Marin Ireland and Michael Urie are phenomenal narrators too, making this an enjoyable listen. I think the widest appeal here is that Remarkably Bright Creatures can be read by any age group. It’s appropriate for all ages and then has characters ranging from 30 – 70+.

There’s also a bit of Swedish heritage which is fun, I liked reading about Dala horses and here’s more info on those for anyone interested.

Overall I loved this one and would recommend for anyone interested, it’s a great summer read or for any time of the year.

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Bookish Quick Facts

• Title: Remarkably Bright Creatures
• Author: Shelby Van Pelt
• Narrators: Marin Ireland & Michael Urie
• Published: Ecco, 2022
• Length: 368 pages / 11 hours
• Rated: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for anyone interested

Here’s the Synopsis

A charming, witty and compulsively listenable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow’s unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.

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.

Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible

_{-From Am*zon}

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Have you read it? What did you think? Thanks for checking out my book review of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. I listened to the audio via Libby and as always, all opinions are my own