Remarkably Bright Creatures
by Shelby Van Pelt
What is it about:
Remarkably Bright Creatures, an exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope, tracing 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.
What did I think of it:
I love octopuses so couldn't resist this book when I saw it at the local bookstore.
And within the first chapter, told from the Octopus's view, I knew I'd love this book and that it would break my heart.
A couple of chapters further in I knew exactly where this story would lead, but I didn't mind: I was in love with Marcellus and Tova.
The writing is really good and I loved the characterization. There are several different viewpoint characters and while I didn't warm up to all of them, it did work well for this story. (Marcellus was totally my favorite!)
As I predicted this story has a bittersweet ending and you bet I shed a few tears. I don't think I will reread this, but it still deserves a place on my keeper shelves as it is a beautiful story.
Why should you read it:
Marcellus!!!!
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