I was invested from the first to last page and found myself saying ‘No’ in horror when some of the misunderstandings threatened the happiness of my new fictional best friends. The plot was intricate and well-thought through. How many authors are able to make you cry because of an octopus? I actually cried after reading about the last thing he did for Tova and she for him. In addition to the humans, there was the most original and wonderful POV the bright octopus. Some authors struggles with getting into the head of characters, but this author managed to bring new people into my life and I got fond of them.

She crafted unique personalities where their choices fitted perfectly with their traits.

The author has a real gift when it comes to creating real, complex characters. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the writing style. The dialogues were saturated with meaning and humor. The prose was spot-on and there were so many sentences I wanted to underline or reread. This might be my favorite book this year, and will also be one of the best books I’ve ever read. 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. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late. 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.Įver the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. 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. Remarkably Bright Creatures, an exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope, tracing a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.Īfter Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up.

Shelby van pelt