Remarkably Bright Creatures. By Shelby Van Pelt. Audiobook
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Remarkably Bright Creatures
Following the death of Tova Sullivan’s husband, she took on a night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, where she spent her hours sweeping floors and organizing exhibits. Staying busy has long been her way of coping, a routine she’s maintained since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously disappeared during a boat trip in Puget Sound over three decades ago.
At the aquarium, Tova forms an unlikely bond with Marcellus, a grumpy giant Pacific octopus with a wealth of knowledge that surpasses anyone’s expectations. Yet, Marcellus would never lift a single tentacle to aid his human captors—until an extraordinary friendship develops between him and Tova.
With her innate curiosity, Marcellus begins to piece together what truly happened on the night Erik vanished. Now, he must rely on every clever trick his ancient invertebrate form can conjure to uncover the truth for Tova before time runs out.
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel offers a heartfelt reminder that sometimes, revisiting the past is the key to unlocking a future that once seemed unreachable.
A New York Times Bestseller
Soon to be a Netflix Film
A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!
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.
“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
Information about the Audiobook:
| Publisher | Shelby Van Pelt |
| Publish Date | May 03, 2022 |
| Pages | 352 / 11 hrs and 16 mins |
| Language | English |
| Type | Unabridged Audiobook |
| EAN/UPC | 9780063204171 |
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SKU book: 9780063204171 📖 ASIN Number Amazon: B09DTGQHKJ
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“The best books about grief find a way to illuminate the darkness of loss, and Remarkably Bright Creatures offers a masterclass.” – Marie Claire
“A heartwarming novel to suit any mood.” – New York Times
“A debut novel about a woman who befriends an octopus is a charming, warmhearted read.” – Kirkus Reviews
“As Van Pelt’s zippy, fun-to-follow prose engages at every turn, readers will find themselves rooting for the many characters, hoping that they’ll find whatever it is they seek. Each character is profoundly human, with flaws and eccentricities crafted with care. But what makes Van Pelt’s novel most charming and joyful is the tender friendship between species, and the ways Tova and Marcellus make each other ever more remarkable and bright.” – BookPage
“Remarkably Bright Creatures [is] an ultimately feel-good but deceptively sensitive debut about what it feels like to have love taken from you, only to find it again in the most unexpected places. . . . Memorable and tender.” – Washington Post
“Infused with heartfelt humor, Van Pelt’s elegant portrait of a widowed woman who finds understanding and connection with a clever octopus is refreshingly, if surprisingly, relatable. Despite the unorthodox relationship at its core, the debut novel offers a wholly original meditation on grief and the bonds that keep us afloat.” – Elle
“Truly original and touching, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a story of family, community, and optimism in spite of darkness. Prepare to fall in love with a most exceptional octopus.” – Helen Hoang, author of The Heart Principle
“Shelby Van Pelt has done the impossible. She’s created a perfect story with imperfect characters, that is so heartwarming, so mysterious, and so completely absorbing, you won’t be able to put it down because when you’re not reading this book you’ll be hugging it.”
– Jamie Ford, author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy and The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
“Remarkably Bright Creatures is the rarest of feats: a book that manages to be wry and wise, charming and surprising, and features one of the most intriguing and satisfying characters I’ve encountered in fiction in a very long time – Marcellus the Octopus. I don’t know how Shelby Van Pelt managed to make this uncommon tale sing so beautifully, but sing it does, and I defy you to put it down once you’ve started.” – Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of Good Company and The Nest
5 reviews for Remarkably Bright Creatures. By Shelby Van Pelt. Audiobook
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Emma Smith
Remarkably Bright Creatures. By Shelby Van Pelt. Audiobook – My Review:
That striking cover has been calling to me from bookstore shelves since its release. I kept hearing readers and reviewers rave about it, yet something held me back - perhaps the unconventional premise of a narrating octopus? - until a close friend's passionate endorsement finally convinced me to dive in.
After losing both her husband and her son, Tova's world has grown quiet. The unexplained, sudden death of her son decades ago is a weight she carries every day. What keeps her moving forward is her meticulous work cleaning the Sowell Bay Aquarium, a routine her friends gently protest, wishing she would finally allow herself to rest.
Within those quiet, watery halls, Tova forms a most extraordinary bond with Marcellus, the aquarium's brilliant giant Pacific octopus. She soon discovers this creature possesses remarkable intelligence beyond his famed escape artistry. And Marcellus, in his own way, becomes determined to communicate the hidden truths about her son's fate that Tova has sought for years.
This story utterly warmed my heart. I cherished seeing an older protagonist portrayed with such authentic grace - a woman in her seventies living her truth, not a caricature trying to reclaim her youth. While Tova's perspective anchors the tale, we're also gifted with the wry, insightful observations of Marcellus himself and the viewpoint of Cameron, a drifting young man whose path crosses with Tova's.
To be perfectly honest, Cameron's point-of-view is why this isn't a perfect five-star read for me. His initial self-absorption was a struggle, and I found my interest waning during his early chapters. While his character does develop, the true, magnetic heart of this novel belongs unequivocally to Tova and her remarkable cephalopod friend.
What resonated with me:
Marcellus! He was witty, profound, and the biggest surprise - I adored his chapters.
The beautiful, respectful portrayal of an elderly protagonist.
The deeply moving theme of chosen family that forms in the most unexpected places.
What fell slightly flat:
Cameron's arc. Even after he grew on me, his personal subplots felt like a distraction from the core, luminous relationship between Tova and Marcellus.
A few secondary story threads felt introduced but not fully woven into the tapestry's whole.
Final thoughts:
I am so profoundly grateful for this recommendation. It's a gentle, poignant reminder of connection in all its forms. Thank you, Katlin - you were absolutely right.
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About the book:№ 9780063204171 📖 ASIN Number Amazon: B09DTGQHKJ
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Kakutani Michiko –
Five stars for “Just Go with It”
There have been many stories about dogs and cats forming meaningful bonds with humans, but this is the first involving an octopus and a person. Marcellus is a giant Pacific octopus nearing the end of his expected life. Tova, a seventy-year-old woman who cleans the aquarium where Marcellus resides—viewed by him as a prison—takes care of him. She’s a widow, and her 18-year-old son went missing decades ago.
I enjoyed watching My Octopus Teacher on Netflix earlier this year, and Van Pelt does an equally impressive job of illustrating how intelligent octopuses are.
The story also includes other characters—a thirty-year-old still trying to find his place in life, and the father he never knew, a transplanted Scot who runs the local deli and store. I found myself emotionally connected to each of them. It’s a beautiful, heartwarming story that explores themes of aging alone, grief, and delayed coming of age. It truly touched my heart. I loved the touch of magical realism woven into the story.
Both narrators deliver outstanding performances, making this a delightful audiobook. Michael Urie was excellent as Marcellus, and Marin Ireland consistently does a fantastic job—this time was no different.
Emma Smith –
Marcellus the octopus!!! “heart eyes forever”…
I don’t read a lot of literary fiction, but I was utterly charmed by this book. It was so creative and full of heart. I’d classify this as an extremely readable smart people book. Plus look at that gorgeous cover! Perfect for beach season.
Audio –
Highly recommend this for mystery lovers!
Book Review –
How could a novel about an octopus be compelling? Well, 35k readers must know something.
And now I do, too. It was simply wonderful…
Great book. Couldn’t stop listening. Loved the narrators. Creative, heartwarming, and uplifting story. I wish there were more books like this.
AudioBooks Shop –
I’m 72 years old, have always loved books since childhood. I just never imagined I would fall in love with an octopus. What a lovely, inspiring story. Live On Marcellus!❤️