Are you looking for a story that leaves you with a good feeling? You need Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This book has had a lot of positive buzz and I thought the beach was the perfect place to read it. This story is about Tova, a recent widow, who mourns the loss of her son and the future he’ll never have. There’s Cameron – a young man who started life at a disadvantage with a missing father and an addicted mother and can’t seem to get outof his own way. Only Marcellus (full name – Marcellus McSquiddles) a Giant Pacific Octopus 🐙 knows the connection between them and is determined to show them before his time is up. This book is about grief and family in whatever form it takes. The ending is wonderful as well as the journey to get there. (You’ll yell at Cameron a couple of times) A new employee joins the ranks, a young man, Cameron Cassmore, who has recently arrived in search of a father he never knew, and a mother who disappeared from his life when he was young. He’s not really qualified for much, employment-wise, and so it’s up to Tova to make sure he knows what the job entails. Cameron thinks he’s there just as a maintenance worker, but he’s surprised when there’s much more to this job than mopping floors. There’s Marcellus. And Marcellus is full of surprises. I loved this story, the people, Marcellus, and gray Cat. The audiobook narration could not be better. Marin Ireland does her usual wonderful job while Michael Urie IS Marcellus. He's now a new favorite narrator of mine. I avoid animal stories because I usually can't handle things happening to animals but this is a story about giving life to both animals and humans and that giving makes future loss bearable. Even if we can't keep something forever, we don't want to miss the chance of the time we can spend with those we can love and cherish. These, plus other heart warming characters, circle around each other trying to figure out where they fit.

For fans of A Man Called Ove, a luminous debut novel about a widow’s unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus reluctantly residing at the local aquarium—and the truths she finally uncovers about her son’s disappearance 30 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.

Note: Above are quotes and excerpts from the book “Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel by Shelby Van Pelt”. If you find it interesting and useful, don’t forget to buy paper books to support the Author and Publisher! An angry, powerful book seething with love and outrage for a community too often stereotyped or ignored. The narrators were great. Ethan’s Scottish voice made me melt and Tovas voice fit my picture of her wonderfully. Well done! 7. PATTI STANFORD Review Remarkably Bright Creatures Humans… For the most part you are dull and blundering. But occasionally you can be remarkably bright creatures.”

While fanciful, this story still had me engaged throughout. The novel is nicely paced and I was never bored. Tell me again about the intelligence of humans. They cannot even manage to comprehend predictable meteorological events.” In “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” Tova’s loneliness and sense of isolation are prominent themes. Her loss of a son, her husband, and estrangement from her brother has left her alone. However, her interactions with the Knit-Wits and her relationship with Marcellus help to alleviate some of her solitude.

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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 How do you interpret the book’s treatment of the truth and its revelation? How does this affect the characters and their relationships, and what does it suggest about the importance of truth in our personal and interpersonal lives?

This book contains one of my absolute favorite themes--found family. And one could even include Marcellus in that mix because although his role in the story isn't very large, it is certainly impactful. As I mentioned, there are a plethora of coincidences in this novel, so you'll have to set that aside to enjoy the simple beauty of the tale if those types of things bother you. Cameron has a LOT of growing up to do, which he does through the course of the novel. This is s love story, but not the kind you expect considering my heading. It’s about love, lose, friendship, and second chances. But most of all it’s about hope and destiny.The best books about grief find a way to illuminate the darkness of loss, and Remarkably Bright Creatures offers a masterclass.”— Marie Claire BOOKQUOTE was founded by a group of young people who love books and want to share good books with everyone. Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel, REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES, will be published by Ecco/HarperCollins (US) and Bloomsbury (UK) in Spring 2022. I wrongread the crap out of this one. I totally get why this has been such a hit for others. I mean, the world is shit and fiction is a great place to turn when you need something hopeful. I’ve fallen victim to the right time/right place heartstring-tugger a time or twelve myself. ( See A Man Called Ove, The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Guncle, etc.) And like everyone else, I loved Marcellus and heard the “Sad Cat Diary” narrator each time he voiced a chapter that really brought a smile to my face . . . . If you believe that animals can bring comfort and happiness to a person’s life and can help you heal from life’s tragedies, you will love this book!! It is quirky and fun but there are also some serious issues described.