Hi y’all!

Can you believe August is right around the corner? There are lots of changes coming with school starting and hopefully fall weather too. I’m a bit of a broken record about the weather but it’s still true that I wish it wasn’t so hot!

Today I am excited to share my review of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. What a beautiful, compelling, fascinating novel! There was so much I loved about this one!

Book Summary: “Remarkably Bright Creatures, an exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope, tracing a widow’s unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.

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.

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.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

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.”

The varying perspectives were beautifully written and gave us unique insights into the characters. I absolutely loved Marcellus’ point of view and the way he views humans and the world around him. Clever to tell the story from his side of things at least in part. I loved Tova’s character and getting to know her. She has known so much tragedy in her life but still is living and trying to move forward. Learning about her grief and her pain were beautifully described. Loved the connections she realizes are important and how she comes to find joy in life after so much changes for her. Cameron was a bit of a wild card for me. I appreciated his journey but also felt most frustrated with him. Lots of swearing in his sections which was sometimes jarring for me as well.

The intertwining stories were compelling and cleverly connected. At first, it seemed unclear how they would all intersect. But that just made the connections more satisfying when they did come. I loved how the stories come together. And how we see the connections between the characters and their lives, pasts and futures. These are average people (and one incredible octopus) that are connected by events they don’t completely understand. The journey to discover what they can become was beautiful. As the mystery of Tova’s son’s death comes together, I was amazed at the beautiful message of hope amidst understanding a tragedy that affected so many.

The writing is absolutely stunning and so compelling. The way Van Pelt tells her story is so gorgeous. The words paint beautiful pictures and readers are transported to Tova and Marcellus’ worlds. We see the details of a tank that is far more of a prison than a home to Marcellus. We see the ways a home holds memories and the difficult decisions to let go of the past. We understand the bonds between people and the holes left by those that disappear too soon. In many ways, these are not fantastical or unique experiences that are described. Yet the words offer such unique insights in daily life. A beautifully written novel!

I really enjoyed experiencing this novel. The perspectives are compelling, the writing is beautiful, and the ending is so satisfying. The middle was a bit slow for me. And some of the events are intense. Tova is grieving for her late husband and her song who disappeared right as he graduated high school. There are intense, sorrowful emotions in this book. But also hope and healing. A fascinating read!

What books have impressed you with their beautiful writing?
What unique perspectives have you enjoyed in books?