Sometimes, the hardest part is just showing up.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a story of friendship, reckoning, and hope, following a widow’s unusual encounter with a big Pacific octopus. The book has sold nearly 1.5 million copies worldwide and earned spots on both the New York Times bestseller list and various online book club rosters. However, these statistics are the least impressive aspect of this remarkably warm and human story, which happens to be told partly from the perspective of an octopus. It’s a beautifully written book that I read quickly, filled with moments that made me laugh, cry, and feel deeply connected to the characters. Discover more about our literary journey on our homepage.
I initially discovered this book through a recommendation from one of my friends, and I’m glad I did. I’m not sure this is a book I would have picked up and what a mistake that would have been! I read a copy borrowed from my local library but also dipped in and out the audiobook narrated by Michael Urie and Marin Ireland. First of all, if ever a film is made of this, I beg the director to cast Michael Urie as the voice of Marcellus as he was just brilliant.
Remarkably bright creatures summary
Remarkably Bright Creatures features three main characters, the first of whom is Tova Sullivan, a 70-year-old woman living in the little hamlet of Sowell Bay, Washington. Despite her old age and the pleas of her friends to retire, she continues to work nightly as a janitor at the local aquarium. Her only son, Erik, went missing off the coast in a boating accident thirty years before the story began. So Tova cleans, if only to pass the time and avoid her pain.
Cameron’s story starts in California, where his aunt raised him after his mother abandoned him when he was eight. He has trouble holding a job and navigating a romantic relationship. Thrown out by his girlfriend and desperate for a new start, he believes that finding his rich, estranged father will solve his problems. He gets a job at the aquarium, where his life starts to intertwine with Tova’s. Here, he hopes to uncover family secrets he thinks will set him free.
Marcellus a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus is described as wonderful, charming, and sarcastic. His perspective is a standout feature of the novel. Marcellus is incredibly intelligent and has a penchant for escaping from his tank to snack on the other sea creatures when nobody is around. Marcellus, underestimated by humans, humorously narrates his final days, showcasing wit, agility, and cleverness when the aquarium is empty. His story emphasizes that it’s not the number of days left but how one uses them that truly matters.
Remarkably bright creatures characters
Tova Sullivan: An older widow who works evenings cleaning at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. She lost her son at 18 and is connected to Cameron through the story’s events. Ethan Mack, the local grocery store manager, has feelings for her.
Cameron: A young man who has drifted from job to job and never knew his parents. He discovers that his father is a wealthy real estate mogul in Seattle and embarks on a journey to find him.
Marcellus: A giant Pacific octopus at the aquarium. He is intelligent, perceptive, and has a special fondness for Tova.
Remarkably Bright Creatures Review
Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of the most honest and human novels I’ve ever read. I thought the entire book to be very interesting. Marcellus, of course, was a favorite of mine, and many of his chapters were hilarious. It was amusing how he despaired of humans, the so-called remarkably bright creatures. The writing and pacing are impressive, especially for a debut novel. The way the story shifts from Tova to Cameron might seem jarring at first, but as the narrative progresses, their paths start to converge, making the reading experience all the more rewarding.
There wasn’t much I disliked, though I did find the ending a bit frustrating. As a reader, you know certain things that the characters don’t, and it’s one of those situations where you just want to scream at them to communicate. This aspect dragged a bit too long for my taste, but others might find it adds to the tension. This book isn’t the shortest one out there but it certainly felt that way as I flew through its pages trying to read more (about the octopus, of course!)
Marcellus and Tova’s connection is my favorite part of this book. The two first meet during one of Marcellus’s midnight visits to the break room, where he becomes entangled in some loose electrical lines. Tova, who has stumbled into this bizarre tableau, assists him in untangling and returning to his tank. This is the deciding point in their relationship.
About Sowell Bay
Sowell Bay is a fictional coastal village in Washington State, in the Pacific Northwest, where much of “Remarkably Bright Creatures” is set. This small town is important to the story because it’s home to the Sowell Bay Aquarium, where Tova Sullivan, the main character, works as a cleaner. The aquarium, sitting at the end of the pier, becomes a key location in the novel. It’s especially significant for Tova’s interactions with Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus. The town and aquarium really shape the story’s atmosphere and events.
Books like remarkably bright creatures
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: This novel explores themes of love, acceptance, and found family.
- A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: This book centers around a grumpy old man whose solitary life is turned upside down by his new neighbors.
- The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd: Set in the 1960s South, this novel tells the story of a young girl searching for the truth about her mother’s past.
- Lily and the Octopus” by Steven Rowley: A touching story about the relationship between a man and his dog, this novel also features an octopus as a symbolic character.
Author: Shelby Van Pelt
Date Published: 2022
Pages: 360 pages, Hardcover
Goodreads Rating: 4.3/5
Remarkably bright creatures ending explained
I recently finished “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” and wow, that conclusion! You know how you wish characters would simply figure things out? Tova and Cameron eventually did. After all of their near-misses, they figured out their connection. I felt so relieved! And Marcellus? That wise little octopus was quite helpful. I finished the book feeling rather fulfilled. If you read it, please let me know what you think!
While it neatly closes things up, I can see why some readers could find it annoying. Do you know how Tova and Cameron take their time figuring things out? It’s similar to seeing a slow-motion reveal when you already know the joke. Sure, it creates tension, but at times I simply wanted to grab their shoulders and yell “Hey, connect the dots already!”
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