It also concerns an older woman named Tova, who lives in the fictitious small town of Sowell Bay, a couple of hours north of Seattle. Of course, the story is not just about Marcellus. I judged this book by its cover (again, Octopus). Remarkably Bright Creatures - the debut novel by Shelby van Pelt - had me at “Giant Pacific Octopus”! They are remarkably bright creatures - though I suspect the book title might also refer to the humans. Did I mention that Marcellus is a giant Pacific octopus, and his prison is the local aquarium? At night, he escapes to avoid boredom or have a midnight snack.

Marcellus is counting his days in captivity. 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. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late. 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.Įver the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium.

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. Memorable and tender.' - Washington Postįor fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopusĪfter Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. 'Remarkably Bright Creatures an ultimately feel-good but deceptively sensitive debut. NAMED A BEST BOOK OF SUMMER by: Chicago Tribune * The View * Southern Living * USA Today

Genres: Fiction / Animals, FICTION / Family Life / General, Fiction / LiteraryĪ Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick! Published by HarperCollins Publishers on May 12, 2023 Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably bright creatures book