“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt is a heartwarming and poignant debut novel that tells the story of Tova Sullivan, a grieving widow who finds solace and an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the Sowell Bay Aquarium.
The novel explores themes of loss, healing, and the power of unexpected connections, as Tova and Marcellus work together to unravel a decades-old mystery surrounding the disappearance of Tova’s son, Erik.
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After the death of her husband, Tova Sullivan starts working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, seeking comfort in the routine and solitude of her job. For over thirty years, Tova has been coping with the pain and uncertainty caused by the mysterious disappearance of her eighteen-year-old son, who vanished on a boat in Puget Sound. While working at the aquarium, Tova forms an extraordinary bond with Marcellus, a curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus with a keen sense of observation and intelligence.
Initially resistant to interacting with his human captors, Marcellus becomes captivated by Tova’s kindness and resilience, and the two develop a remarkable friendship. As they grow closer, Marcellus begins to piece together the events that led to Erik’s disappearance, using his exceptional detective skills and understanding of human behavior.
Determined to help Tova find closure, Marcellus embarks on a mission to uncover the truth about that fateful night. He employs every trick in his invertebrate arsenal, navigating through the complexities of the human world and the limitations of his own body.
As Tova and Marcellus delve deeper into the past, they uncover secrets and confront long-buried emotions, ultimately bringing them closer to understanding what happened to Erik and allowing Tova to envision a future she once thought was impossible.
“Remarkably Bright Creatures” is a touching and evocative novel that showcases the transformative power of friendship, empathy, and the importance of confronting the past in order to embrace the future. Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the healing potential of unexpected connections, offering readers a gentle reminder that sometimes, the answers we seek can be found in the most unlikely of places.
Takeaways
Here are some of the key takeaways from the novel “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt:
1. The power of friendship: The novel emphasizes the transformative nature of connections, showcasing how the unique bond between Tova and Marcellus helps them both overcome loneliness and find hope.
2. Intelligence and empathy in animals: Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus, demonstrates remarkable cognitive abilities and emotional depth, reminding readers that non-human animals possess intelligence and emotions that are often underestimated.
3. Healing from loss: The story explores the process of coping with loss, be it a loved one or a sense of purpose, and highlights the importance of seeking closure to move forward in life.
4. The importance of facing the past: The journey of uncovering the truth about Tova’s son’s disappearance underscores the significance of confronting the past to make peace with it and build a better future.
5. Hope and resilience: The novel showcases the power of hope and resilience in overcoming challenges and finding solace, even in the most unlikely of places or companions.
6. Interconnectedness of humans and nature: Through the relationship between Tova and Marcellus, the story highlights the deep connection between humans and the natural world, fostering a sense of respect and understanding for all living beings.
Remarkably Bright Creatures Quotes
Here are some popular quotes from Remarkably Bright Creatures as featured in Goodreads.com:
- “Humans are the only species who subvert truth for their own entertainment. They call them jokes. Sometimes puns.”
- “Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures.”
- “Why can humans not use their millions of words to simply tell one another what they desire?”
- “Tova knew there was a bottom to those depths of despair. Once your soul was soaked through with grief, any more simply ran off, overflowed, the way maple syrup on Saturday morning pancakes always cascaded onto the table whenever Erik was allowed to pour it on himself.”
- “Tell me again about the intelligence of humans. They cannot even manage to comprehend predictable meteorological events.”
- “Some trees aren’t meant to sprout tender new branches, but to stand stoically on the forest floor, silently decaying.”
- “Secrets are everywhere. Some humans are crammed full of them. How do they not explode? It seems to be a hallmark of the human species: abysmal communication skills.”
- “What do you think I’m trying to do? Not my fault I was dealt a shitty hand.” “No, the deal is never anyone’s fault. But you control the way you play.”
- “The parents will grow old atop this mountain of a family they’ve built, and even if parts of it crumble, from time to time, there will be enough left to support them.”
- “Humans… For the most part you are dull and blundering. But occasionally you can be remarkably bright creatures.”
- “She understands what it means to never be able to stop moving, lest you find yourself unable to breathe.”
- “The Knit-Wits have been her friends for years, and sometimes she still feels as if she’s a mistaken jigsaw piece who found her way into the wrong puzzle.”
- “If I had a clam for every time I heard someone call them [wolf eels] hideous or ugly, I would be a very plump octopus indeed.”
I hope you find this Remarkably Bright Creatures review helpful and inspiring. Enjoy !