A heartwarming tale of friendship, family, and unexpected connections.
I was thrilled when it was announced at my book club’s monthly meeting that our next read would be Remarkably Bright Creatures. Despite reading mostly non-fiction, I’d heard such positive reviews of the novel that I was eager to experience it for myself.
This New York Times bestseller follows the story of Tova Sullivan, a widow coping with the recent loss of her husband and the disappearance of her son on the Puget Sound 30 years ago. She begins working as the night janitor at the Sowell Bay Aquarium and soon befriends an unexpected companion: a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus.
The story also follows down-on-his-luck Cameron Cassmore after losing his job and breaking up with his girlfriend. One night, while pondering his future, he finds items connecting him to his past: a photo of his mother with a mysterious man and a Sowell Bay High School class ring. Cameron believes that this discovery may be the answer to his lifelong question of who his father is, so he decides to leave his hometown of Modesto, California, for Sowell Bay.
While there, Cameron makes friends with the locals including Tova, with whom he shares duties at the aquarium. Marcellus, being the “remarkably bright creature” he is, observes Tova and Cameron and begins to solve the mysteries of their lives.
Told from multiple characters’ perspectives, Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a full of heart must-read. I fell in love with the characters in this book and found myself looking forward to turning the page to learn more about their stories.
