Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a heartwarming and whimsical debut novel that blends mystery, grief, and unexpected friendship, told partly through the perspective of a giant Pacific octopus!
The story centres on Tova Sullivan, a 70-year-old widow in the small town of Sowell Bay, Washington. Still grieving the mysterious disappearance of her son Erik thirty years earlier, Tova works as a night cleaner at the local aquarium. There, she meets Marcellus, a highly intelligent and curmudgeonly octopus nearing the end of his life. Marcellus has a secret: he knows what happened to Erik.
Meanwhile, Cameron Cassmore, a 30-year-old drifter from California, arrives in Sowell Bay searching for his father, whom he believes is a wealthy local businessman. He ends up working at the aquarium temporarily, where his path crosses with Tova’s.
It’s a touching, feel-good novel that appeals to fans of Fredrik Backman or Rachel Joyce, perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of magical realism.
