Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: Book Review

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Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt might sound like a quirky animal tale – and in a way, it is – but this May 2022 Read With Jenna pick and debut novel offers something far more surprising: a story about loss, connection, and second chances, told in part by a giant Pacific octopus with a gift for observation.

If that sounds odd, just wait until you meet Marcellus.

Beneath the unusual premise is a moving, hopeful novel that sneaks up on your heart and stays there. In this review, I’ll tell you what Remarkably Bright Creatures is about, what I liked, what I didn’t, and whether it earns a Read, ReRead, or Reconsider.

My Take: Don’t let the octopus narrator scare you away! Remarkably Bright Creatures is a warm, emotional story about grief, friendship, family, and second chances. Marcellus may be one of the most unusual characters I’ve encountered in a novel, but he’s also one of the reasons this book works so well.

What It’s About

After the death of her husband, 70-year-old Tova Sullivan keeps busy working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. It’s quiet, predictable work – just the way she likes it. But everything changes when she strikes up an unlikely bond with Marcellus, a highly intelligent (and highly cranky) giant Pacific octopus nearing the end of his life.

Marcellus, who has a few secrets of his own, becomes a sharp-eyed observer of the humans around him – and he knows something about the mystery of Tova’s missing son. Enter Cameron, a troubled thirty-something searching for his father and stumbling through life, who arrives in town with little direction but a surprising connection to Tova’s past.

Told in alternating perspectives – including chapters narrated by the octopus himself – this is a story about grief, intergenerational friendship, and the surprising ways life offers second chances. It’s also an especially good choice for book clubs, with plenty to discuss about family, loss, aging, and connection.

Remarkably Bright Creatures – What I Liked

The setting was one of the first things that drew me in. Sowell Bay may be fictional, but it captures the cozy, salty charm of a small Pacific Northwest town. The aquarium almost becomes a character itself – moody, mysterious, and oddly comforting – and gives the story an atmosphere that fits it perfectly.

But the characters are what really make this book memorable. Tova is stoic, stubborn, and heartbreakingly real. Cameron is flawed and sometimes frustrating, but that also makes his growth more satisfying.

And then there’s Marcellus.

An octopus narrator could have been incredibly gimmicky. Instead, Marcellus is insightful, witty, opinionated, and sharply observant about the strange humans around him. I certainly didn’t expect an octopus to become one of my favorite characters in the book, but here we are.

There’s also a mystery quietly running underneath the story involving Tova’s son, but this isn’t really a twisty mystery novel. The story is much more about grief, identity, forgiveness, friendship, and connection. I liked the gentle way those different threads gradually came together.

Remarkably Bright Creatures – What I Didn’t Like

There wasn’t much I disliked about this book, although there were a few places where things felt a little too neat or coincidental, particularly toward the end.

And Cameron frustrated me at times, especially early in the book. There were moments when I wanted to reach into the pages and give him a little talking-to. But his flaws are also part of his character arc, and by the end, I appreciated how much he had grown.

Neither issue significantly changed how I felt about the book. This was still a great read for me.

Remarkably Bright Creatures – Read, ReRead, or Reconsider?

Read.

This was such an unexpected book. It’s quirky without being silly, emotional without becoming overwhelmingly sad, and ultimately a wonderfully hopeful story about finding connection when – and where – you least expect it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Remarkably Bright Creatures

Is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Worth Reading?

Yes. Remarkably Bright Creatures is absolutely worth reading if you enjoy character-driven stories about unlikely friendships, family, grief, and second chances.

And don’t be put off by the talking – or rather, narrating – octopus. Marcellus is what makes this book so unusual, but the emotional heart of the story belongs just as much to Tova, Cameron, and the connections that develop among the characters.

I went into this expecting something quirky. I came away with a warm, surprisingly moving story that stayed with me after I finished it. That’s a definite Read for me.

What To Read Next

• Book Club Questions for Remarkably Bright Creatures – Keep the conversation going with discussion questions and a free printable for your book club.
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: Book Review – Try another unusual, emotional novel about regret, connection, and the possibilities life can still hold.
• Book Club Questions for The Midnight Library – If The Midnight Library is next on your book club list, I’ve got discussion questions for that one too.
• Read With Jenna Book Club List – Remarkably Bright Creatures was a Read With Jenna selection; browse the complete list for more book club picks.
• The Ultimate Guide to Book Clubs – Find more book club resources, reading ideas, and help planning your group’s next read.

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