If you are looking for a light, simple read with a predictably happy ending, this book is for you.

Seventy-year-old Tova Sullivan works as a nighttime cleaner at a small aquarium near Puget Sound in Washington State. Recently widowed, she likes to keep busy: “She understands what it means to never be able to stop moving, lest you find yourself unable to breathe.” She has never fully recovered from the loss of her 18-year-old son Erik over three decades earlier. At the aquarium, she establishes a relationship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who is approaching the end of his life. She also meets Cameron, a feckless man who has come north from California looking for his father.

Some of the chapters are narrated by Marcellus, and these are the most interesting. I know that octopuses are ranked as the most intelligent invertebrates, but Marcellus is truly exceptional, so the reader needs to suspend disbelief. He even possesses emotional intelligence. He is a curmudgeon who has a high opinion of himself but not of humans. I loved his comments on humans whom he calls “dull and blundering.” I would have preferred more chapters from his point of view.

The character who is most irritating is Cameron. He is thirty years old, but behaves like a whiny, selfish teenager who blames others, never taking personal responsibility for his actions. He is supposed to be intelligent but this claim is never supported by his actions. Even though he has been shown the meaning of an inscription on one school ring, he misconstrues the engraving on another? When searching for a wealthy, rather famous, man, he never conducts an internet search or uses social media?

On the other hand, Tova is a totally likeable character with whom the reader cannot but empathize. She has had so much loss in her life, and now she is growing old alone. The death of her son has scarred her; the conclusion that he committed suicide only adds to her grief. Despite her suffering, she is kind to everyone she meets.

The plot is predictable. Marcellus actually figures out how Tova and Cameron’s stories intertwine. The interest lies in how the cephalopod can help them see what seems so obvious to him. It does take a while so there are times the reader may find him/herself agreeing with Marcellus’s low opinion of human intelligence.

The book’s message seems to be the importance of making meaningful connections. Opening up one’s mind and heart to others (whether a cat, an octopus, or another human) can only enrich one’s life.

This is not a literary masterpiece, but an enjoyable piece of escapist fiction. Though a bit too sweet and sentimental, it is charming and warm-hearted, a feel-good story.

Note: Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DCYakabuski). ( )

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a feel-good story as told by various characters, including an aging Giant Pacific octopus called Marcellus McSquiddles who resides in an Aquarium in the small town of Sowell Bay on Puget Sound. The ultimate message seems to be that love and a sense of belonging can be found in the most unusual of places.

We follow along with 70 year old Tova Sullivan as she cleans in the Aquarium as a night janitor. Marcellus observes her and grows to care about her. Tova has come to terms with her recent widowhood, but the death of her son many years ago continues to haunt her as she is certain it wasn’t the suicide that the police declared it. Tova is fiercely independent and doesn’t pick up on the awkward flirting Ethan, the owner of the local grocery store is constantly sending her way. The other main character is a young man named Cameron who comes to Sowell Bay in search of his unknown father.

Although there is a thread of sadness that runs through all the stories in this book, the author manages to keep the tone light, warm and humorous. Even knowing where the story is heading doesn’t take away from this fun read. Remarkably Bright Creatures is the author’s debut novel and it is charming and heart-felt without becoming too sentimental. ( )

4.5⭐️

Seventy-year-old Tova Sullivan works the nightshift as a cleaner at Sowell Bay Aquarium. She lives alone, recently widowed and her eighteen-year-old son having disappeared almost thirty years ago. Though financially stable, Tova believes in keeping herself occupied and enjoys her work and the company of the aquatic life in the aquarium, among whom is Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus, who was taken in as a rescue and at the beginning of the novel is on Day 1299 of his four-year (1460 day) life span. His observations and ruminations on human beings (which are shared in the first person in snippets throughout the narrative) are laced with humor (with a touch of snark) and wisdom. He is after all a ‘remarkably bright creature’ who also happens to venture out of his tank at nighttime, never exceeding the eighteen minutes beyond which would result in “consequences” as he cannot survive longer than that outside his tank. On one of his nocturnal adventures, Tova ends up saving him from harm and they form a special bond. Though Tova has a supportive group of friends, she is concerned about not having anyone to look after her in her advanced age and begins to consider the option of selling her home and moving into an upscale retirement facility. As the story progresses we also meet thirty-year-old Cameron Cassmore who travels to Sowell Bay, Washington from Modesto, California in search of information about his family connections. Abandoned by his mother as a child and raised by his aunt, he has recently become aware of possible family connections that lead him to Sowell Bay. He hasn’t done much with his life till now, is unable to hold a steady job and has been recently dumped by his girlfriend who was fed up with his lack of initiative and whimsical nature. Cameron, Tova and Marcellus connect when he starts working at the aquarium and what follows is a deeply moving story of friendship, community, family, grief and moving on.

The author’s portrayal of a close-knit small-town community and sensitive depiction of issues such as loss, grief, loneliness and aging will touch your heart. Though the plot is somewhat predictable, the story is very well told and nowhere in the narrative do you lose interest or experience boredom. Marcellus is adorable and is a reminder of how precious our animal friends are to us especially in moments of loneliness and sorrow. The story also makes you ponder over the plight of animals in captivity. Though none of the animals in this story were harmed or ill-treated, you cannot help but feel sympathy for Marcellus when he feels imprisoned within the glass walls of the aquarium and misses his natural habitat.

Set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with a lively cast of characters (human and cephalopod), engaging and well-paced narrative and a perfect combination of emotion, humor, wit and wisdom (suspend disbelief and you will enjoy the story!), Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful story that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you with a lump in your throat and a smile on your face.

I thank the author and publisher for providing a DRC of this wonderful book via Edelweiss . All opinions expressed here are my own. ( )

Unique concept of an octopus as narrator. Unexpected turn of events is heartwarming. ( )

Reason read: I wanted to read this, TIOLI#5, September
A feel good story set in the state of Washington featuring; older woman, aquarium, octopus, grief. I found the story to be maybe way too much to believe but I did like it. It is a quest and a mystery. Emotional read with humor and pathos. ( )