Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures

By Shelby Van Pelt

  • Release Date: 2022-05-03
  • Genre: Literary Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 5,302 Ratings

Description

A New York Times Bestseller

Soon to be a Netflix Film

A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

“Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful examination of how loneliness can be transformed, cracked open, with the slightest touch from another living thing.” -- Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See Here

For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively readable 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.

Reviews

  • Kindness. Can be found in the most unlikely places

    5
    By Ti1212
    This a story of rooting for the underdog but also for finding connections where you thought there couldn’t be connections. And most of all for the kindness that each character that brought them all together.
  • A Beautifully Well Written Tale

    5
    By cecielph
    Lovely, easy, enjoyable read from start to finish with characters, who are just that - interesting and remarkable.
  • Remarkably Heartwarming

    4
    By HAJS29
    A remarkably heartwarming story with memorable characters, with the best surprisingly being an octopus. Marcellus’ constant one liners and late night escapades were hilarious to read through. Not to mention how he was directly involved in linking the main characters together to help them see how their fates intertwined. A beautiful story with a very immersive setting, as I grew up in the Pacific North West. My only gripe was how the story was slightly stretched out, to add detail while simultaneously increasing length, enlightening but unnecessary. I am not typically one to read books of this genre, but judging by the fact that it hooked me in, I can say without a doubt that it is worth reading, despite what one’s personal genre preferences are. A remarkably enticing read, I highly recommend.
  • I needed this book.

    5
    By Jewel....
    So touching. Been a while since I couldn’t put a book down. I didn’t want this one to end.
  • 2025 Read

    5
    By Tayliauna
    Amazing, calming, eye opener, gets you into your feels. 💕
  • Heart warming

    5
    By HAILEE101010101
    I went into the book knowing absolutely nothing about it. I am pleasantly surprised. It was an easy read, but I have finished it with my heart feeling full.
  • Remarkably Bright Creatures

    5
    By jejejwkejrbvyvehw
    So loved this story of grief, loss, and resilience. A lovely read.
  • Excellent Writing

    5
    By Apjones2632014
    Read as a reader, this story is brilliant and engaging. Read as a writer, this story is smart and no stone is left unturned. Likeable, loveable characters and a well-presented setting round out this lovely story.
  • Very enjoyable

    5
    By Lisa in GV
    Sweet and clever. Looking forward to the screen adaptation.
  • Altogether Lovely -

    5
    By Widget186
    Suspend your disbelief & enjoy a lovely tale. Well written & by the end tied all together neatly with an octopus’s twine. Shelby - please write us some more lovely tales.