“Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful examination of how loneliness can be transformed, cracked open, with the slightest touch from another living thing.”—Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See Here

For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively enjoyable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces 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.

Listening Length

11 hours and 16 minutes
Author

Shelby Van Pelt
Narrator

Marin Ireland, see all
Audible release date

May 3, 2022
Language

English
Publisher

HarperAudio
ASIN

B09DTGQHKJ
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Read with Jenna Pick Amazon #1 Best Book

Listening Length	11 hours and 16 minutes
Author	Shelby Van Pelt
Narrator	Marin Ireland, Michael Urie
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	May 03, 2022
Publisher	HarperAudio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B09DTGQHKJ
Best Sellers Rank	#44 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #1 in Animal Fiction (Books) #1 in Animal Fiction (Audible Books & Originals) #4 in Literary Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

5 star		73%
4 star		21%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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JANET

"The seahorses are at it again!" 😂😂😂

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 20, 2022

Verified Purchase

That was a sentence I never expected to read from an incredible character's voice that was as unique as it was, in the context of the story at that time, hilarious, and made me laugh out loud! I finished this book a couple weeks ago and, thinking about the story again today, this insightful warning came to mind and brought another smile. I won't lie, it took a few chapters for me to get into the story, different characters in different settings? How do they relate to each other and the story? Do I care? And do I care enough to continue? Yes, I ended up caring very much and so glad I persevered! It was worth it. Real people in real life situations - the humans anyway - not sure about the non-humans! True humanity with the pain, grief, redemption, joy and all feelings that really happen in true lives - which means there's a lot of reality in this work of fiction! A truly fantastic first effort by this new author and I will be watching for her next one! Clearly another 'remarkably bright creature' is the author herself! Great work! Thank you for it! 👉💓👈

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Diane Rosenschein

Loved this book -- Five stars!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 30, 2022

Verified Purchase

What a surprise this book was! I don't usually go for books that feature animals, but this one went straight to my heart. It's the story of a friendship between a widow who works as a cleaning woman in the local aquarium, the octopus who lives in said aquarium, and a young man who comes to their town looking for the father he has never met. Told from the point of view of each of the three main protagonists, the book is about caring for others to help heal yourself. Beautiful read.

2 people found this helpful

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Samuel K.

What an unexpectedly wonderful read!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 21, 2022

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I was scrolling around for my next read and saw this in the suggested section. The good rating and pretty colors were enough for me to take a chance.

This book reminded me of Frederik Backman’s narrative style. Perhaps it also reminds because one of the main characters is also Scandinavian.

This book immediately captured my attention with the first pages. I couldn’t put it down! No spoilers— it’s a heartwarming story about grief, loss, the connections we make with all living beings, and to me it was a reminder that there are more people in your corner than you realize.

I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to see what else Shelby Van Pelt writes next!

9 people found this helpful

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Lynn T.

Great Characters-A Very Good Read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 29, 2022

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I usually read crime fiction. I saw all the five star reviews and decided to try the book. I wondered if I would like a book featuring an octopus. Also, the fact that it was described by some as a feel good book (which it is) and wondered if it would be like a Hallmark Movie. I decided to try it and I really liked it. I am interested in seeing the documentary now on Netflix about an octopus.

I think most people can find something to relate to in the book. Marcellus is a captured or rescued (depend on ones point of view) sixty pound Pacific octopus living in a town's aquarium building with other sea creatures. Tova is a seventy year old woman who is recently widowed. She is alone as her only child died at 18 thirty years ago. She is the cleaner at the aquarium and strikes up a friendship with Marcellus. Cameron is a thirty year old man/child who can't seem to do anything right. He came to the town in search of a father who he does not know. There are other characters-Ethan-a Scottish grocery story owner who has a crush on Tova. Avery who owns and runs a surfing shop. Then the Knit Wits who are a group of old friends who have gotten together for years to knit and talk. Their number has dwindled due mainly to old age.

It is a very good book and one of my best reads of 2022. I wasn't sure I would like it and found out that I liked it very much.

36 people found this helpful

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Edwynne

A satisfying break from the ordinary!!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 29, 2022

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If you are tired of your usual genre, try an extraordinary book--Remarkably Bright Creatures -- by Shelby Van Pelt. You will be so glad you did! It takes a few pages to really get into the book, but keep reading because soon you will be hooked. The characters are engaging --- all of them---including Marcellus the Octapus and Tova especially. Don't miss this fascinating read!! It will warm your heart.

2 people found this helpful

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Sheryl Kirby

Awesome

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 26, 2022

Verified Purchase

I love this book! I also grew up in Puget Sound and is so cool reading about the area I live in a book. I think I started and finished this book in 24 hours! I just couldn't put it down! I think it's be 30+ years since I finished a book this quickly.

One person found this helpful

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Debra Adreon

It has been a very long time.....

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 2, 2022

Verified Purchase

Since I was able to live inside the mind of a creature. And get to know them. What a treasure. Once I started, I couldn't put it down!
What have you got for me next, Shelby?

Helpful

Kimberly Nolletti

I fell in love with an octopus!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 1, 2022

Verified Purchase

This was a delightful, mysterious read filled with moments that made me laugh and cry. A recommended read for all ages. Marcellus is surely an expert on human nature. I fell in love with this curmudgeonly but remarkably bright creature from the very start!

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

PAULA WESCOTT

A Must Read For Everyone

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 8, 2022

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I have to say that this book will stay with me for a very long time to come. Tova is a kindred spirit who I cannot shake off, nor do I want to. She’s so adorable - quirks and all. Every character you bring into this story has a history and life that we want to invest in as readers. We adore Marcellus, we wonder initially about Cameron - but are so rooting for him to succeed. Ethan is also easily lovable … as is Terry, etc. I love it all, basically. I miss Marcellus even though he is now free, be it only for a short while. I can feel his absence in the hearts of your characters, and…. The conclusion resolved really well. We wanted to know about Erik and that closure was both important but well delivered. I can’t tell you how much this book affected me, it is so beautiful and almost reads like a creative nom-fiction piece. Very, very well done. Your characters will remain with us for longer than you think 🤔☺️

6 people found this helpful

Mrs. K. Watt

intriguing book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 4, 2022

Verified Purchase

I loved the way the story is told in different voices Surprisingly I even liked that we know the solution to many of the questions before the main characters. Trying to figure out how the solutions were going to be given to the characters was not easy.
I don’t want to give away any of the plot lines, suffice to say nothing was done in my house until I came to the end!! Happy reading.

2 people found this helpful

K. Porter

Tears at work, colleagues think I’m nuts!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 23, 2022

Verified Purchase

Absolutely love this book but don’t read the ending at work as people will look at you strange for crying! (No one at my work reads)

It’s like those books with a dog character - at some point you realise it’s not immortal and you will have to say goodbye.

This had a lovely goodbye different from what I expected. I will have a book hangover for some time as going to miss the wonderful characters who all felt like friends in this book.

One person found this helpful

jenny plows

Great book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 19, 2022

Verified Purchase

This was a great book that I couldn’t put down. Be warned it’s a tear jerker in places

3 people found this helpful

LauraRo

An absolute joy!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 14, 2022

Verified Purchase

I bought this book after a recommendation from someone and I read it over just a few days.
The characters are fantastic & you are totally rooting for them especially Marcellus in particular. I loved every page of this book. Totally worth the buy!

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