Remarkably Bright Creatures

This is hands down one of the best books I’ve read in 2026...it gave me every possible emotion.. it broke my heart, made me laugh, comforted me, and left me emotional in the best way possible... Honestly, the first 70 pages felt a little slow for me and I genuinely thought about DNFing it...But I decided to give it one more chance… and thank god I did, because after that, this story completely consumed me...at the center of the story is Marcellus..a giant Pacific octopus counting down his last 160 days at an aquarium..While the humans around him are grieving, lost, lonely, and falling apart, Marcellus quietly watches everything unfold… and somehow gives them answers they couldn’t find in 30 years...This book felt so comforting, wholesome, and deeply human... I was always waiting for Marcellus’ POVs because he truly became the heart of the story for me. And the ending? It made me cry so baddd😭and i already miss Marcellus terribly.. I genuinely wish I could erase my memory just to experience this book for the first time again... 200% recommend this if you’re looking for a comforting, emotional, wholesome read that stays with you long after the final page....

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 When a slow burning yet a happy ending book makes you emotional, it has something to do with the way you attach with the characters, take time to understand the plot, remember characters, make connections between the characters, etc. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is such a book. It hits after almost half way through but it makes you stay excited all the time rummaging for what’s next in the plot. This story follows three plots simultaneously, featuring the Giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus, the 70-year-old Tova Sullivan and Cameron. The Octopus is a rescue kept as an exhibit in an aquarium and the story begins when Tova lands at the aquarium for a job as a cleaner. Later on, Cameron joins Tova for the work giving her a wonderful company. While the Octopus indirectly helps Tova to find the mystery behind her dead son, Erik, she realises that she is blood-related to Cameron and she is the happiest grandmother as the story ends. Though she still misses her dead son it was the happiest moment of her life. I liked the parts of the book when Marcellus comes up with his thoughts about humans, shares his treasures that he has collected over the years and makes me laugh at some of his silly dialogues. I waited all the time for those parts to be revealed. While the story slowly unfurls the mystery, it revolves around the themes of friendship, loneliness, grief, companionship, freedom, intelligence, etc. Also, the other characters (there are many tbh) play a very important role in shaping the plot beautifully. This is a beautiful book for the people who love to explore plots having meaningful connections and relationships, bonding between humans and animals, etc. It is a beautiful one indeed. I highly recommend this masterpiece!!! A thought/ reflection of mine: “Sometimes meaningful and beautiful relationships and connections are built with living creatures apart from humans too and it stays forever like how Marcellus, even after he was sent back to the place he belonged to, remembered Tova and her love and care for him.”

You know what makes this book interesting? Seeing human beings from a perspective of the giant octopus, Marcellus but with over time, the way Marcellus forms a bond with humans is incredible. I love how the title and cover exactly portrays what’s inside the book. Remarkably symbolises emotional depth of both human being and creature. You will see a visible change/shift in perspectives of both if you will compare them with how the story begins and how it ends. It all felt like a beautiful memory that has hit the mark. While Bright speaks about the grief, abandonment, loss, and loneliness, the characters felt in this book yet hope and resilience kept them moving. Creatures because they play an essential role in this book. They are the protagonists of the story. The story will stay with you like an external part of your soul because at the end, how misunderstandings clears and each of their bond strengthens. Especially Marcellus and Tova. For Cameron and his mother, I felt bad. There was a part where Cam said his childhood was robbed off and he grew up with his aunt, knowing that he has been abandoned by his parents. While there were clues that unveiled Daphne’s story. I felt so emotionally connected with this book and characters in it. Finishing it felt like leaving behind something that I wanted to stay a little longer. This book felt like a warm hug and read along made it even more interesting.

The most unique and memorable part of the book was definitely Marcellus, the octopus. His chapters were witty, emotional, and surprisingly comforting. The story beautifully explores grief, loneliness, healing, and unexpected companionship through Tova Sullivan’s life. Despite its emotional themes, the book feels incredibly warm and wholesome throughout. Overall, this was such a heartfelt and memorable read.

The beautiful bond between Tova, a 70 year old janitor, and Marcellus, a Pacific octopus is endearing. Tova's character is well sketched. The small setting, a sprinkling of different characters, and their quirks add to the plot with a dash of humor. It begins well, with a warm and fuzzy feeling. You smile as Marcellus keeps sharing his observations of humans passing his tank in the aquarium. You want the old, petite, strong, and resilient Tova to find her son or some sort or a closure. Her journey to that end with Marcellus as the guide/ conspirator is the core of this book. In comes Cameron, a man in search of a long lost father. The small town bursts with chatter. And here on the Story dives right into a typical movie plot of lost and found relations, reunions and happy endings that give every character the piece of pie they were after. It's a nice feel good read but halfway down the old tropes and formulae writing try your patience.

🐙"Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures." . . . 🐙A really heartwarming novel 🐙Marcellus is ofcourse my favorite character in the book, such an endearing sentient being, the curmudgeonly exceptional octopus who was bored and exasperated with humans. Such a witty persona created by the author. 🐙The novel makes a point for what is to be truly human and humanity. 🐙Excerpts I highlighted in the book: 🐙"where I might live were I not a prisoner here." "I was brought here as a juvenile. I shall die here, in this tank. At the very most, one hundred and sixty days remain until my sentence is complete." (Makes one feel for captive animals, that they should be in their natural habitat.) 🐙Why can humans not use their millions of words to simply tell one another what they desire? 🐙But I do not like the hole in her heart. She only has one, not three, like me. Tova’s heart. I will do everything I can to help her fill it. 🐙Some trees aren’t meant to sprout tender new branches, but to stand stoically on the forest floor, silently decaying. 🐙Never to feel my arms sucker onto the cool glass, to taste that humanity on the inside of her wrist, to touch, in turn, my Collection’s treasures. 🐙Entering someone’s home is always an intimate act. 🐙To the somber bay that took them both, a cherished son and an exceptional octopus, she whispers inscrutably: “I miss you. Both of you.” She taps her heart. 🐙A 4 star ⭐⭐⭐⭐read for me. 🐙I read the kindle edition.

Recently saw the Netflix adaptation starring my fav actress Sally Field 🥰 & I absolutely LOVED this touching tale 😍 that's how I came to know about this book & bought asap; cz it's narrated by an octopus of all things!🐙 Written with such wonderfully skill & warmth!! 📖💖 I was hooked right from the very first page!!! 🥰

Simply brilliant....full of warmth, hope, humour and relationships - not just human!! Loved it

Brilliant book. Easy to read, with a touching story. Characters are beautifully written, especially Marcellus.

At first glance, with the title and cover, I expected the octopus to take center stage in the story—but it turned out to be more of a family-searching journey, which was a lovely surprise. That said, the octopus adds just the right spice to the story, offering a unique perspective on the human world. Personally, this book reminded me of my grandfather, who was adopted as a baby and spent years searching for his original family. It gave me a deeper understanding of why people feel such a strong desire to know their roots.

Lovely history

A gentle read that sparks continued enjoyment and a growing interest for more. Delightful characters that are deeply relatable. Well written, worth the read.

Excelente! Eu amo esse tipo de livro com narradores intercalados. Neste romance há 3 histórias: um narrador polvo; e outro narrador neutro que conta as histórias de Cameron e Tova, em capítulos intercalados. A história é encantadora e recomendo muito a leitura!