remarkably-bright-creatures

Book Summary

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a 2022 novel by Shelby Van Pelt. The novel tells the story of Tova Sullivan, a widow who works as the night janitor at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Tova is lonely and isolated, but she finds solace in her friendship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who lives at the aquarium. As Tova and Marcellus grow closer, they learn to trust each other and to rely on each other for support. When Tova’s son Erik disappears, Marcellus helps her to search for him and to find closure. The novel explores themes of loss, grief, friendship, and the power of the human-animal bond. It is a moving and hopeful story about the importance of finding connection in the midst of darkness.

Author Intro

Shelby Van Pelt

Shelby Van Pelt is a writer and artist who lives in the Pacific Northwest. She is the author of the novels Remarkably Bright Creatures and The Art of Being Normal. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. Van Pelt is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound and the MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Book Reviews

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a well-written novel with a unique and intriguing premise. However, the novel is slow-paced at times, and the plot is somewhat predictable. Nevertheless, the novel is a thought-provoking and ultimately rewarding read.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a smart and funny novel about a widow who befriends a giant Pacific octopus. Van Pelt’s writing is sharp and witty, and she does a great job of capturing the absurdity of the situation and the power of the human-animal bond. This is a great read for anyone who needs a good laugh.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a heartwarming novel about a woman who finds love and support in the most unexpected places. Van Pelt’s writing is lyrical and evocative, and she does a great job of capturing the power of love and the beauty of the natural world. This is a great read for anyone who needs a good cry.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a novel that spoke to me on a personal level. I, too, have lost a loved one, and I could relate to Tova’s grief and her journey to find healing. Van Pelt did a great job of capturing the pain, the loneliness, and the hope of loss. This is a novel that I will cherish for years to come

Best Lines

  • “Humans are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures.”
  • “Why can’t humans use their millions of words to simply tell one another what they desire?”
  • “Secrets are everywhere. Some humans are crammed full of them. How do they not explode? It seems to be a hallmark of the human species: abysmal communication skills.”
  • “As a general rule, I like holes. A hole at the top of my tank gives me freedom. But I do not like the hole in her heart. She only has one, not three, like me. Tova’s heart.”

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