How does Marcellus’s perspective enrich the narrative and provide insight into the other characters, particularly Tova, and what does his journey reveal about the universal nature of the search for meaning and companionship? In addition to the humans, there was the most original and wonderful POV; the bright octopus. It was a delight to read those chapters. I actually cried after reading about the last thing he did for Tova and she for him. How many authors are able to make you cry because of an octopus?

The author failed to give enough reasons for me to care about any of the characters. They all felt predictable and halfhearted. This story begins 1,299 days after Marcellus was captured, after he’d been taken from his home and robbed of his freedom, and left in this small space, surrounded by glass walls. He’s fed, and observed through the glass that surrounds him by various people throughout the days, but he longs to return to his home. To be free. Periodically he manages somehow to escape, but is always found by Tova, who makes sure the boss isn’t aware of how often she finds him . 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. After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. 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.Let’s consider how the various animals (Marcellus, the wolf eels, the frogs, the sea lion statue, the raccoon, and Cat) are used as symbols in the story. How does each animal contribute to the characters’ development and understanding of their identities and relationships? Here is a summary of the book Review “ Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel by Shelby Van Pelt “. Helps you have the most overview of the book without searching through time. Oh, the realistic story is well done, don’t get me wrong. I loved both Tova and Cameron—both sympathetic and well-drawn. The writing is good. The plot is interesting and fast moving, but there is one huge coincidence that you have to buy into. I overlooked that the situation was unlikely because I liked the book so much. Also, the ending is a little too tight for my liking, but then again, it’s heartwarming. Who doesn’t want a feel-good ending these days?

I finished this book “Remarkably Bright Creatures” with a bittersweet feeling and a smile. How important is that? For me it’s priceless. How rare was that for this reader? Pretty darn rare. Maybe I’ve been reading the wrong books.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. How these three lives intertwine makes for a heartwarming, feel-good story. There’s a mystery to solve, one Marcellus has figured out. He only has to find a way to get the humans to piece the puzzle together. He might be curmudgeonly, but he has a soft spot for these two, especially Tova, with whom he shares a strong bond. You know where the story is going, but it’s OK, because the journey there is charming and delightful. Marcellus, of course, stole my heart, putting a smile on my face, and a lump in my throat. If the aquarium’s oldest employee, a 70 year old cleaning lady, named Tova Sullivan hadn’t found him right as the 18 minutes he could survive outside of water was just about up, day 1,300 may have been his last.

Remarkable characters, who will stay with you for a long time. -- Anstey Harris, author of The Trials and Triumphs of Grace Atherton Then we have the characters. The author has a real gift when it comes to creating real, complex characters. She crafted unique personalities where their choices fitted perfectly with their traits. Some authors struggles with getting into the head of characters, but this author managed to bring new people into my life and I got fond of them. I didn’t want to say goodbye to them. Because the Octopus is a “remarkably, bright creature”-a bond is formed, but unfortunately, Tova is injured while helping the 60 pound Cephalopoda. 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 The narrators were absolutely great and the voice of Marcellus is just as I expected it would be, he is intelligent, a bit of a grouch but has formed a bond with Tova.Katie had gone through a phase where she tried to ban phones from their bedroom after she read some article about how the light was addictive. Messed up your brain waves somehow. He’d always assumed it was nonsense, but now his eyes burn in the screen’s glow and his brain feels scrambled.”

Tell me again about the intelligence of humans. They cannot even manage to comprehend predictable meteorological events.” The chapters alternate between these three characters, and while I enjoyed all three, I wanted more of Marcellus. He is a grumpy old man with a heart of gold. The best part is we are privy to his witty and snarky thoughts, usually about humans. Snark gets me every time. Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible. Remarkably Bright Creatures” delves deeply into the concept of family, both by blood and by choice, as seen through the evolving relationships between Tova, Cameron, and Ethan. Tova, dealing with her unresolved grief, finds unexpected familial bonds in her growing friendship with Ethan and her newfound connection with Cameron.After listening to this book and loving it, I of course had to Google The Giant Pacific Octopus. I found that it is indeed extremely intelligent and there are many articles about them solving puzzles, escaping from enclosures, etc. You will enjoy learning more about them if you liked this novel! As sappy as it sounds having an octopus as a leading character—Shelby absolutely makes it works brilliantly… (feelings are all so real)… The Lincoln Highway: In 1950s America, Emmett Watson is released from a work farm after a year in prison. With his family gone and the farm lost, his journey west takes an unexpected turn when two friends join him. A gripping tale of hope and redemption unfolds in just ten days. We see Cameron, a young man who can't get his shit life together long enough to keep a job or girlfriend go on a quest to find his deadbeat dad some free cash. When he arrives in Sowell Bay just in time to be a temp for Tova's job as a cleaner in the aquarium, these characters's stories intersect beautifully to create a heartwarming read that's wise and quirky. A wonderful portrayal of how to thrive in loneliness ❤️❤️