Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
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Web ID: 14352368Great Book
I have wanted to read this book since it came out, and I am so glad I finally read it. I thought it was very well written. I loved the chapters with the Octopus POV and the relationship between him and the main character.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
a STORY OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
Tis the season for a heartwarming story and though I’m late to the game, REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt has taken a chill off these gray days. Tova is a 70-year-old widow who cleans after hours at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. One night while mopping the floors, she finds the giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus, out of his tank and tangled in power chords in the break room. What she doesn’t know is that Marcellus leaves his tank every night in search of more delectable nourishment than the chopped mackerel the aquarium feeds him. Keeping busy has always been Tova’s antidote for grief. She took the job after her eighteen-year-old son Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat on the Puget Sound thirty years ago. After her husband’s more recent death, she was lonely, despite her well-meaning group of friends the Knit Wits. Marcellus, like all octopi, is a remarkably bright creature – but he may be unique in his perceptiveness. He senses Tova’s sadness, and he wants to help solve the mystery of her son’s disappearance before his short life (1,461 days to be exact) is over. He is aware of his species short lifespan and counts down the days in his alternating narrative. Cameron, another lost soul, comes to the aquarium in search of a job. He has a history of failed relationships and employment. Abandoned at the age of nine, he was raised by his aunt, and though he has no idea if his mother is alive, he is looking for the father he never knew. Initially, his motives are not pure, but we come to know the brokenness in this young man and understand what he really needs. REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES is a story about family and community and how our relationships can fill our emptiest places. Whether those relationships are with the creatures we care for, the families we choose, or the community we engage with, they cast light on the shadows of our life. The story of Marcellus and Tova’s friendship is charming. Marcellus is witty and wise, and his alternating narration lends a touch of magic to the story for which I’m more than happy to suspend disbelief.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Heart felt
Wonderful book
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Delightful.
"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." ~ from the publisher I am not a fan of magical realism but when it’s done well? I can’t help myself. Tova, a lovely woman working at the aquarium befriends a large Pacific octopus. He escaped and got tangled in a bunch of cords so Tova came to his rescue. You see, Marcellus, is quite the adventurer. He escapes his enclosure nightly, gathers little things here and there but he has a secret that he’s been trying to share with Tova but she hasn’t quite caught onto it yet. Tova is happy cleaning the aquarium and she enjoys her nightly visits with Marcellus and company, but after her brother dies, she begins to ponder her next step. Should she move into a retirement home? After spraining her ankle while tending to Marcellus, she comes to the conclusion that although she has friends, she doesn’t have anyone to care for her when that time comes. Life is nothing but a bunch of decisions, isn’t it? Interwoven into this story is also Cameron’s story. A young man, unemployed and searching for the father he’s never known. Without any real ties, he heads north to look for his father. Luck is not on his side though. His bag is lost at the airport and inside it, the only chance he had at making a little money. Penniless, and desperate he calls his aunt, borrows more money and invests in a run down camper. Thinking, hey, at least I can live in it. Although Cameron is used to living by slim means, he desires more. He desires a more stable life, and he hopes his father can be a part of that. What begins as a quest for an inheritance becomes something much more. While trying to make a living, he meets Tova at the aquarium. Between the loss of Tova’s son Erik, the loss of her brother Lars, and the entrance of this young, wayward boy, Tova takes a liking to him and the two form a bond. This is a beautiful story. There was one part where Marcellus’ secret hits me and I gasped. Out loud. Gasped. Nearly shed a tear. What a wonderful story! I had heard great things about this book but the magical realism turned me off. Boy, was I wrong. I ADORED this book. It will be on my fave list for sure but you all need to read it! It’s been out for a long time but hey, just pick it up. Trust me. Highly recommend.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great book about bringing a family together
This book has to be one of my favorites. This is usually not a type of book that I would typically read but Shelby Van Pelt does an amazing job with the characters. I love how each character was eventually intertwined with each other. Marcellus the octopus is my favorite character. Don't want to spoil it..so definitely pick this up to read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
4 stars
REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt I heard/read the audiobook was excellent so I placed a hold on it through the LibbyApp. Despite the 4+ week hold, I was willing to wait. I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed this story! I felt for Tova; her heartbreak and loneliness. I was not a fan of Cameron. He’s supposed to be this flawed yet lovable character, but I found him to be whiny and insufferable. Dude, stop blaming everyone and own up to your poor life choices! I wanted *more* of Marcellus’ wit and curmudgeonly observations. Who knew a giant Pacific octopus would be such a complex character? His chapters added so much humor and depth to the story. While the plot was predictable and a bit slow, the overall story made up for it. The bittersweet ending left me feeling hopeful and sometimes that’s just what one needs. **All the stars for the audiobook! It was brilliantly narrated/perfomed by Marin Ireland. Michael Urie’s voice as Marcellus was buttery perfection. Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Beautiful story
I listened to this on an audiobook and it was so good. I love the different voices and characters. A wonderful story of finding family and purpose.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A cozy and heartwarming read!
This is a lovely story, highly recommend. You would do a double take if you read that this book has an octopus narrator, but Marcellus is entertaining to follow. I love his relationship with Tova, his little schemes. He is quite a clever fellow. This is an oddly inspirational book about a woman, Tova, older in life, navigating the world as a grieving mother and as someone with a diminishing social circle with no family to truly take care of her. The companionship she finds in this octopus at her workplace is truly lovely.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com