Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Read with Jenna Pick

Hard not to love the narrator of this lovely tale. In itself the story of a 70 year old woman who cleans at the local aquarium is just a nice telling, but when you have a Remarkably Smart Great Pacific Octopus narrating and commenting on life in a small tank, then you have a three-heart-warming voice added in the mix, the novel becomes Remarkably Bright and enjoyable read. I highly recommend the book!

I can’t find the words to describe how much I loved this book. I’ll wait for a few months then read it again. And then put it on my once a year rotation. It’s a brilliant story, the writing is beautiful, and it’s full of interesting characters. It’s about love, friendship, heartache, hope, and so much more. Don’t miss this incredible book.

In all loss lives hope. Perhaps hidden in a creek with crawdads, golf tees and a goat or with Merrows, a selkie and a cliff near the North Sea, in the eyes of a cow filled with grief and understanding for our loss, we find the old rickety van that will take us to our destination. In Remarkably Bright Creatures, I happed upon my trip to Hope with an octopus, an older woman, an angry misguided young man in his own captivity of loss and dove to my own bottom of the sea home. A story filled with mystery and life mistakes kept me company reassuring me I am not "the only one" who travels this Magical path through grief. Thank you, Tova. And most of all, thank you, Marcellus for your higher intelligence and many arms.

When I first read the summary of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, I was intrigued by the octopus in the plot and the summary got me interested in reading the book and I am glad I did. This story was sort of open ended and yet so difficult to guess. It kept me interested to the very end and of course, I enjoyed not just the story but also the ending as well. It is now one of my favorite books.The main characters in the book have certain unique perspectives including Marcellus. I ended up feeling deeply for Tova, Cameron, Erik, even Ethan and most of all Marcellus. The book is written superbly in a way that I really felt connected with these characters. I will re-read/re-listen to this book in the future again. Will surely read more books by Shelby as she writes and publishes.The best thing I really liked in the book is when Cameron asks Tova how did she go on and recover from something like what she went through, I really like her response, that while one cannot recover, not fully, one moves on and one must. I recommended this book to any one who wants a fresh unique writing style and a very well written story. Also, Whispersync helped a lot since I was reading and listening alternatively and Jenna Pick did a wonderful narration. Lastly, I read Secrets of the Octopus by Sy Montgomery before reading this and that helped me understand this book better. Overall, I loved reading this book.

What a great, heartwarming story. I like the way the author wraps everything up in the end and brings it all full circle. For those of us who can relate to loss similar to Tova's, this book inspires a sense of hope. I would give this book 4.5 if I could. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it didn't necessarily leave me riveted in a way I couldn't put it down. Otherwise, well done!

I have a grandson who is leaving for college 5 days shy of his 18th birthday. Just thinking about Tova losing her son at that age starts a tear falling. This book goes from a tragic situation & so much emotional void to several hearts overflowing with the love they needed. Well, actually an extra 3 hearts because that is how many an octopus has. Never have I read a story that gives so much personality to a sea creature so elusive but now if I go to the aquarium instead of walking by I’ll try to make a new friend. I want a Marcellus in my life, if for only 1460 days. Without giving too much away, just know 4 people, an octopus plus a cat find happiness in the end. Just read this book, I’m glad I did.

A beautifully layered, unexpected story that stole my heart.At its core, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a powerful story about grief, connection, and second chances — told in a way that feels both whimsical and deeply human. Set in a small coastal town, the story follows the unlikely friendship between Tova Sullivan, a lonely widow working the night shift at an aquarium, and Marcellus — a highly intelligent, curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus with a keen eye for human behavior (and secrets).Yes, you read that right — an octopus, and yes, somehow it works perfectly.This is not a book I would have normally picked up. The idea of an octopus as a point-of-view character honestly threw me off at first. But wow — this book blew me away. The writing is exquisite, the pacing gentle but purposeful, and the emotional depth is undeniable. Shelby Van Pelt has crafted a story that is both tender and quietly profound, blending subtle humor with moving insight.This book surprised me in every possible way. It made me laugh, it made me reflect, and even made me tear up at times. It’s a story about loss, yes, but more than that, it’s about found family, forgiveness, and the unexpected ways we find healing.If you’re looking for something heartfelt, character-driven, and just a little bit magical, Remarkably Bright Creatures is the kind of story that will stick with you.

I bought this book because of the colorful art work on the cover and the gorgeous sprayed edges. As I carried the book to the register, a store worker informed me it was her most favorite book. To be honest, I was not expecting greatness but I am pleasantly surprised. This book is now one of my favorites! I laughed out loud, I cried and I got so frustrated at these characters. We never know how fragile connections are and when our last goodbye will be. Cherish all your moments together & always be open to new experiences. Our time is brief.

I was concerned when I first started reading this book that it was going to be all about “creatures“. Well, it was! One particularly amazing creature was the octopus. It was delightful the way Shelby Van Pelt brought him to life. The rest of the Creatures were the humans. She beautifully wove story that tugs at your heart and brings hope. This book may not be for everyone. But I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Remarkably Bright Creatures was such a joy to read. The characters—most of them, at least—were incredibly easy to love. Tova’s quiet resilience, Cameron’s messy charm, and of course, Marcellus the octopus (yes, really!) each brought something special to the story. Even the more flawed characters felt real and earned their place in the narrative.What really stood out was the way everything gradually intertwined. As the story unfolded, threads that seemed unrelated began to connect in unexpected and deeply satisfying ways. It was beautifully paced—never rushed, but never dull—and I found myself eager to see how all the pieces would come together.This book is both whimsical and heartfelt, filled with moments that made me smile, reflect, and even tear up a bit. If you're looking for a unique, tender story about grief, connection, and second chances—with a wise, grumpy octopus thrown in—this one’s definitely worth picking up.

(No spoilers.) This is a magnificent book - such a unique story, lots of heart warming and funny moments - and a few tear jerkers as well. There are a lot of unique qualities to an octopus and their intelligence that is shared within this novel, and the characters and places are very well thought out. The read flows so well, I cannot believe this young lady has not written other books prior. This book was selected by my book club, and ALL of us - variety of ages from early 20s to late 70's - LOVED this book! (And I prefer thriller or mystery books - but this keeps your attention well!) We made potluck recipes based off the book - both ideas from food within it and from creatures in it - and we discussed all the emotions we had throughout the story and the story content. It is a book that literally can be enjoyed at any age from probably 12 on up. No wonder it is a best seller... LOVED IT!

Since I was born & raised in WA, the Pacific Ocean has always calmed me. This book drew me in right away & I had a hard time putting it down. What a great way to view/ intertwine with the octopuses intelligence. The author had great detail on the area & I could envision it in my mind. Kiddos to Shelby Van Pelt. I'm looking forward to the movie. Would recommend to all ages.

A great story about finding what you most needed: a family. Tova is a widow, an exceptional lady in her sixties, with a love for the aquarium creatures she tends to. She is troubled about having no one there for her as she she's and tries to prepare for that eventuality. But life has surprised in store. This is a heartening story about how life can suddenly bring you the best outcome. And yes there's a subplot about a truly clever octopus who helps bring this happy outcome about. You'll love this unique plot. I know I did!

I just now finished Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt.The blurb sounded whimsical; I love whimsical. We seldom have enough whimsical in our lives.But, it wasn’t, not really.What it was, was gentle, heart-touching, hopeful. Healing.It’s amazing how lives can cross. Touch. Impact.Much like Marcellus. Soft, downy almost, with an occasional sharp poke.Do I think that an octopus can be as determinedly sentient as Marcellus? Probably not. Would it be lovely if they were? Yes! Too often, we are too busy, or too self important, or too…something, to treat one another, and other creatures, in a kind and gentle way. A thoughtful way. What would it be like if we did? It would be AMAZING!!?This seems to be Shelby Van Pelt’s first novel. I’m very glad I read it; I eagerly anticipate more. As Tova would say, Thank you, dear.I just read that Sally Field will be playing Tova in a film based on this book. I can’t wait.

Although the kindle version of this book came with its own share of typos, It didn't prevent Shelby Van Pelt from delivering a wonderfully warm tale of human disconnection and reconnection. Ever since I saw the documentary My Octopus Teacher, I've wanted to know more and more Cephalopods. That isn't the same Van Pelt is here to give an informational on octopuses and their kin, but rather to apply the limited knowledge of the wisdom and smarts we have about these creatures in a fun and inventive way to evoke change.This has been one of my most enjoyable reads this year, and I would highly recommend spending a few hours in the world of Tova, Cameron, and Marcellus.

This is the first book I have read in 24 years that I could not put down. Even with my other responsibilities, I finished reading it in 2 days. I selected this book based on the overview. It captured my interest because I have always been fascinated by the intelligence of the octopus, love ocean life and ecology, and because my daughter is a marine biologist. I had no idea when I selected this book that it would include the twists and turns of a mystery. The character development is exceptional and brings you to care about the history of and have empathy for each character. The relationship between the characters' stories is woven so beautifully. There really wasn't a clue until right at the end that the mystery would ever be revealed. The author has an amazing talent. I will look for other books she has written, although I am not sure if I will again find the joy I did with these characters and this story.

My goodness, what a novel. Shelby Van Pelt can really write. The differing POV’s in this story were so exceptionally well written and just so incredibly heart-warming. I can’t count how many times I smiled and chuckled as I read this book, and I LOVE IT when a book makes me feel real, physical emotion. Tova is instantly likeable and her narration and word play is so refreshing and seamlessly cohesive, while Cameron’s character is so relatable enough to feel empathy yet momentary annoyance for his lingering stubbornness. The best POV however is from Marcellus and I just absolutely loved the quirky, wholesome and one-step-ahead vibe he added to the story as a whole. I admit, I had the situation figured out slightly before Marcellus did, but the entire story is just so well paced, it all flows together beautifully. I can’t wait to recommend this novel to all the book-lovers in my life. It’s simply perfect.

This was a nice story, but unlike most readers who thought it was a happy and sweet story, I found it to be very sad.I didn’t like the way I felt when I finished the book.Maybe I’m too old-fashioned to find joy and logic in this story.For example, it doesn’t make sense that the main character, who is an elderly immigrant, acts the way she does in the book.Old people, especially immigrants, cherish very personal and beloved things which they’ve gathered throughout their lives.In this book, the old Swedish woman suddenly (and out of character, it seems) sells the beloved house her Swedish father built with his own hands, gives her son’s childhood toys which she’s been saving for 3 decades (as well as her mother’s hand-made items) to Goodwill, and, by deciding to move away, she gives up the only important people left in her life, which are her small community of close friends.Also, older immigrants diligently save money and important things, such as a house, for the next generation. Granted, at the beginning of the book the old woman felt she had nobody to pass money and historical things to, but it wasn’t too late in the story to save her house for her newfound family member, especially to someone who is so lost and needy.The old woman acts like a young person does in today’s society, someone who has the typical attitude of items being disposable, and someone who doesn’t cherish relics of their family’s historical past.I’m old and wise enough to know that character traits, such as those that Cameron has, don’t change, especially all of a sudden, because those personalities are intrinsically rude, entitled, selfish, arrogant, and irresponsible. They don’t change their essence — they’re unable to change — because those traits are deep-seated. It’s who they are and how they’ve been their whole lives.I liked Ethan, but I don’t understand how the old woman, who didn’t care a whit about him and who purposely avoided him throughout the book, suddenly likes him and hangs out with him — in her own home, even — all the time.Also there are several questions I have that are unanswered by the time the book ends. That’s always frustrating in a story, and with the abrupt ending, even more questions arise. Those questions aren’t there to make the reader “think”; they’re there by fault of poor oversight while writing the story. (If I list the questions I have, I’ll spoil the story.)As I initially wrote in this review, this book is a nice story. But there are too many personality errors and faults of realistic events, which are maybe due to the author being young and naive as to how elderly people, especially immigrants, think and behave, by her not being an actual immigrant herself.Maybe she knows an immigrant or two who behave the way she describes immigrants do in this story, but the majority of immigrants don’t dispose precious things that have survived a lifetime of struggle and memories.

I stumbled on Remarkably Bright Creatures among my recommendations. As often happens, the premise intrigued me enough to read it even though I didn't know the author. Well, if Shelby Van Pelt often writes like this, I definitely want more of her books.The friendship between Tova the aquarium cleaning lady and Marcellus the giant Pacific octopus is a definite selling point in this book. It's a great twist on the "A Kid and Their X" trope (the kind of thing you see in stuff like Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, Free Willy, and so forth). This one, I am pleased to report, is far less cheesy and saccharine. Tova is a multifaceted character whose life may seem small in her estimation, and probably is if we go by what is a "normal" life in a small seaside town. Yet that life has been stuffed with complex emotions, unanswered questions, and a longing for "more" that I think everybody can relate to. At least, I certainly could.As for Marcellus, he's multifaceted, too. A part of me did stick with his point of view, and story, because it is a story of a "remarkably bright," underestimated creature trapped and controlled in a world he doesn't understand. I have cerebral palsy and was diagnosed as level 1 autistic this spring; I'm still looking back and trying to heal from a lot of the latter's implications. So in a visceral way, yeah. I'm not a captive animal or mistreated, but I understood how Marcellus felt. What I liked even better about his story though, is that Marcellus' story doesn't stop there.Marcellus actually has a life and a history that Shelby Van Pelt, Tova, Cameron, and other characters dig into. He's not just a captive yearning for freedom and mourning lost opportunities, as often happens with similar stories. He makes wry, witty, yet quiet, non-snarky observations about humans. He cares deeply for Tova because she took time to know him as a "person," but also because she's the only human who has ever stopped long enough for Marcellus to know as a real "person." Marcellus gets to be the conduit of real revelation and change for people inside and outside his world. That's amazing, and frankly, it's a lot more than many human characters get.Remarkably Bright Creatures couldn't succeed with just Tova or Marcellus though, or at least not as well as it did, I think. The other characters pop off the page as well. Cameron is my favorite, precisely because I didn't expect to like him at first. By his own admission, he comes off as a burnout and a loser, and I admit, that's how I saw him to begin with. But as with Tova and Marcellus, Cameron is hiding a lot of layers, a lot of depth. He's got a great heart, but he's still a typical, kinda clueless 30-year-old guy (and I'm still a 30-something so I say that tongue in cheek). He's vulnerable but not pitiful; he plays the victim sometimes, but then he gets mad at being called out on that and wants to do better. He struggles and is a burnout, but he's got good, solid friends and some real interests and potential. In other words, I got really into his arc, especially once Tova, Marcellus, and even Ethan got involved.As for Ethan, he's unexpectedly cool, as well. I admit some brownie points with him, as I love all things Scottish or Irish and he is of Scottish descent. But I also didn't expect a shopkeeper in his '70s with a gruff edge to be a Grateful Dead fan or to get along so well with a neat and tidy, tiny Swedish aquarium cleaner, so brownie points on plot and character there. In fact, Ethan's role in the story, in particular, went all kinds of unexpected places, so without spoiling anything, I'll tell you to keep an eye on it.Finally, Shelby wins some extra brownie points for a lot of the "little" things that "pop" out at me when reading a book like this one. For instance, I love cats and love the reluctant yet affectionate relationship Tova develops with a stray cat. I love Marcellus' Collection and the pride and care he takes in it. I love and felt some heartbreak over Tova's reminiscing about the attic playroom that never got to be a playroom.But I think the thing I loved most about Remarkably Bright Creatures is how remarkable Shelby showed readers humans--and creatures--can be, without getting heavy-handed or cheesy. There are some romances here, so to speak, but this is a relationship novel, and those are, have been for the past several years, some of my favorite ones.There is some language here, so caveat emptor if that's not your thing. From a writer's perspective, I also wondered how much some threads or characters were actually needed. For instance, looking back, I understand why Tova had a brother, but I'm unsure how much he furthered the plot. Similarly, I understand the roles of Avery and Marco but again, am unsure how much they furthered the plot.Also, I almost hate to say it, and I could be wrong about this. After all, I know about as much concerning octopi as the average person who watches Jeopardy (which I do). But while Marcellus' plo...

What a wonderful surprise this was! I thought Remarkably Bright Creatures was a story about a woman and an octopus, but it turned out to be so much more than that. This is Shelby Van Pelt’s first book, and I don’t think a debut has affected me like this since I read Hollow Kingdom, another story that unfolds through the eyes of an animal. The story has a bit of magical realism to it, in the sense that parts of it are told from the octopus’s point of view, but otherwise it’s simply a delightful tale about family and connections that had me ugly crying by the end of the book.In the first chapter we meet Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus on display in the Sowell Bay Aquarium near Puget Sound. Marcellus has been in captivity for 1,299 days, and based on his life expectancy of about four years, he believes he only has a handful of days left to live. His dreary days in a small glass enclosure are broken up by secret nighttime excursions, as Marcellus is extremely smart and has found a way out of his tank.Tova Sullivan is a seventy-year-old woman who has been working nights at the aquarium as a cleaning lady for the past two years. Tova knows how to remove the hundreds of fingerprints on the tank walls and can polish the floors to a brilliant shine. She’s also quite fond of the sea creatures she encounters each night, especially Marcellus, and the two have formed an unusual bond since Tova saved Marcellus one night after he escaped and became entangled in a bunch of electrical cords.Next, we meet Cameron Cassmore, a thirty-year-old man who is drifting through life with no real purpose. Cameron lives in California, and one day his aunt gives him a box of his estranged mother’s things. Inside the box he finds a photo and an old class ring, clues that could lead to the identity of his father, a man he never knew. Cameron hops on a plane to Washington state, convinced the man he thinks is his father—a rich real estate tycoon—will be so distraught over abandoning his son, he’ll shower Cam with money. At least that’s the plan.Finally, Ethan Mack is the owner of Sowell Bay’s Shop-Way, the local grocery store. Ethan has known Tova for years and secretly has a crush on her, but Tova is much too distant to notice his interest. When Cameron shows up at the Shop-Way looking for a job, Ethan directs him to his friend who manages the aquarium, which is how Cameron and Tova meet.Tying all these characters together is Marcellus, a remarkably bright octopus with a penchant for stealing and hoarding the treasures he finds after hours on the aquarium floor, and who just might be able to bring two people together who need each other—but don’t yet realize it.Van Pelt’s chapters alternate among all these characters and introduce a slew of side characters as well, each one vitally important to the story. At first, we don’t realize how each character is connected to the next, but slowly the author reveals her secrets until the stunned reader begins to understand the depth of these connections. Each character is given a detailed backstory that becomes very important to the plot. Tova’s story in particular was heart wrenching, as she has experienced quite a bit of loss in her life and finds herself mostly alone in her twilight years. Luckily she belongs to a group of women who call themselves the Knit-Wits, and the four of them meet weekly to eat, drink, gossip and support each other. Tova came to America from Sweden as a little girl, so the story is filled with details about growing up with her Swedish mother and father. Even the Dala horses her mother collected play a part in the story, and I found these little details added so much richness.At first I couldn’t figure out how Cameron fit it, but once he arrives in Sowell Bay and meets Ethan and Tova, his story takes on new meaning. Cameron meets a woman named Avery who also plays a vital part in filling in some of the missing pieces about Cameron’s father, and I loved the way the author gave even the most insignificant side characters meaning and purpose.Van Pelt infuses her story with so many emotional moments and themes. We see how the Knit-Wits are going through the aging process, as their numbers have dwindled over the last few years. Tova is facing being alone in her old age, with no children or husband to take care of her, and so she makes the rash decision to sell her beloved house and move into a retirement community. I don’t want to give too many details about Tova’s past and her losses, because I think it’s better to discover those revelations for yourself. Let’s just say that I felt Tova’s pain and wanted nothing more than for her to be happy.And Van Pelt includes so many funny moments in her story that kept the tone light, despite some of the more heavy themes. There’s an ongoing bit about Cameron’s lost luggage that was hysterically funny, and Tova inherits a stray cat at one point, which was a delightful side plot. I also loved the story about the t-shirt that Tova uses...