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Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

 

First Line: Day 1,299 of My Captivity. Darkness suits me.

Seventysomething Tova Sullivan has been working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium since her husband died. Keeping busy has always helped her cope-- and she's been coping since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, died in a boating accident over thirty years ago.

She knows the best ways to mop floors and clean glass to keep the aquarium sparkling, and an observant resident approves of her attention to detail. Tova has taken to stopping by to say hello to Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus-- especially once she learned that the creature is an escape artist that likes to roam at night. Incredibly observant and blessed with deductive powers that would make Sherlock Holmes weep, Marcellus has pieced together what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. Now all he has to do is find a way to reveal the truth to her before it's too late.

~

My attention was drawn to Remarkably Bright Creatures by a fellow book blogger, and I thought it would be an excellent choice as an audiobook. I was right. The narrators' voices were perfect for Marcellus, Tova, Cameron, and the other characters.
 
I'm one of these people who've always had closer relationships with animals than I have with people, and I've always talked to animals like they could understand everything I say. (You may be surprised at how often they do understand.) So, I was a tasty sea cucumber just waiting for Marcellus to single me out. At first, there just weren't enough chapters from Marcellus' point of view, but then Tova and a young man named Cameron began to get their hooks into me.

It is oh-so-easy to fall under the spell of these characters, to want them to have their happy-ever-afters. And once the author lets us in on just what Marcellus knows, the hook is set. I could no more turn away from this book than I could stop breathing.

If you're in the mood for a "feel good" read, I've got the perfect one for you: Remarkably Bright Creatures. But take a word of advice: have a hanky close by as you near the end. 

[Note: this book touched me so much that, when a local aquarium announced that their giant Pacific octopus was nearing the end of her life, and-- if you wanted to come see her to say goodbye, you'd better hurry-- I had a tear in my eye. It's all your fault, Marcellus.]


Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Narrated by Marin Ireland and Michael Urie
ASIN: B09DTGQHKJ
Harper Audio © 2022
Audiobook. 11 hours, 16 minutes.
 
Contemporary Fiction, Standalone
Rating: A+
Source: Purchased from Audible.

14 comments:

  1. I love animals, too, Cathy, and I can see how this story would really pull a reader in. And it sounds as though the mystery itself is really interesting, too. Tova sounds like a great character, and I can well imagine what she and Marcellus might be like. Glad you enjoyed this!

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  2. I'm so glad you read and appreciated this book. I thought it was wonderful and Marcellus is probably my favorite character that I have encountered in reading this year.

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    1. I agree about Marcellus-- he's a wonderful character, and with all the documentaries I've seen about how intelligent the octopus is, Marcellus didn't seem overblown at all.

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  3. I loved this book, too. Learned about octopuses, for one thing, and for another, I liked Marcellus. And I liked the bond he and Tova formed, and was glad of the ending. I love learning about octopuses. They are smart and can also change shapes. For a lovely read, try this book.

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  4. I love the sound of this book! I was not surprised to hear you say that you needed a hanky. Sometimes that is the best kind of book.

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  5. I confess, it's the octopus that makes me want to read this one. :)

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    1. Marcellus would think that's his due (and it is). ;-)

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  6. I keep seeing this book recommended, but hadn't seen any reviews yet, so I appreciate the synopsis included in your review. I have seen enough about octopi to know that they match the title, and now I'm interested in this one. It sounds like a good one for my book club to discuss, if nobody reads it first.

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    1. Yes, I think it would be a good book club choice.

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