Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Club Questions + Printable PDF

Looks Like Books contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclaimer to learn more.

Is this your current book club pick? If so, then you’ll need these Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Club Questions before your book club discussion.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is an amazing story that’s filled with themes of struggle, loss, grief, and ultimately hope and happiness and has an incredible cast of characters, not the least of which is an octopus named Marcellus.

Remarkably Bright Creatures was a Read With Jenna Book Club choice in May 2022. This is a thought-provoking book and would make an excellent pick for your book club, so I’ve put together this list of Book Club Questions for you.

Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Club Questions

• What was your initial impression of the book immediately after you were first introduced to Marcellus the octopus?
• What emotions did Marcellus inspire in you?
• After reading Marcellus’s thoughts throughout the book, did your own views on animals in captivity change in any way?
• The book explores themes of self-discovery and personal growth.  How do you see these themes manifesting in the lives of the main characters?
• The author tackles themes of resilience and overcoming adversity.  Which character’s journey resonated with you the most, and why?
• Tova and Marcellus shared a remarkable friendship.  What qualities do you think that each saw in the other that are now binding them together?
• The settings of the book play a vital part in the story.  How did the author’s description of the setting contribute to the overall atmosphere or mood of the book?  
• How do you think the story would be affected if it took place in a different place?
• Cameron was portrayed as somewhat of a sluggish character with a lack of maturity.  How would you describe him?
• What were your feelings when Tova decided that she was going to sell her house, leave her community and friends, and move away to the retirement village where she knew no one?

• About halfway through the book, Marcellus makes an observation that the “cleaning lady” walks like Cameron.  Did you see what was coming at that point regarding the true relationship between Tova and Cameron?
• Tova thinks of herself as completely “over the hill” and is worried that she will become a burden to her friends if she continues to live alone.  Did you see Tova as elderly and incapable?  Or strong and vital?
• Did you find the ending and the relationship that was revealed between Tova and Cameron to be plausible ending?
• Would this book make a good movie adaptation?
• What did you like most about the book?
• What did you like least about the book?
• Did any character in the book remind you of someone you know?
• Describe this book in 5 words or less.
• As you were reading the book, did you wonder whether octopuses really are remarkably bright creatures?  And if so, did you research this to get the facts?
• What was the overall strongest emotion that this book inspired in you?
• If the book continued after the current ending, what do you think would be happening with Tova and Cameron one year later?
• If you could ask the author, Shelby Van Pelt, one question about Remarkably Bright Creatures, what would it be?

Remarkably Bright Creatures Quotes

For me, this book inspired so many different emotions as I was reading it. Everything from sadness that caused tears to laughter.

These are some of my favorite quotes from Remarkably Bright Creatures.

“Why can humans not use their millions of words to simply tell one another what they desire?”

“Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures.”

---

Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Club Questions FAQs

Summary – Remarkably Bright Creatures Discussion Questions

I hope that these discussion questions for Remarkably Bright Creatures will engage your book club members in thought-provoking discussions.

Explore the themes of intelligence, self-discovery, and societal expectations in this outstanding novel while delving deeper into the characters’ motivations and relationships.

Hopefully, these questions will allow your book club to start meaningful conversations and gain valuable insights about Remarkably Bright Creatures.

Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Club Questions Printable PDF

Do you prefer to listen to audiobooks rather than reading? If so, here’s a little something for you. You can try Audible (plus a few other things) free for 30 days.

Is this your first visit to Looks Like Books? If so, check out my About page so you can learn a little more about me and my Looks Like Books mission. 

Please Share This Post!