This is such a warm, comforting story that deserves a prime spot in your summer reading stack (audiobook is also fantastic and narrated by my personal favourite narrator, Marin Ireland).

Following three perspectives that combine in a small, gossipy town in Puget Sound: Tova, a lively, neat-as-a-button, 70-year-old, who works nights cleaning at the local aquarium centre where she forms a special friendship with a giant pacific octopus.

Marcellus, said giant pacific octopus, who journals his daily observations of humans during his captivity.

And Cameron, a lost 30-year-old, who is on a quest to find his father.

The characters are vivid, the story is equal parts comforting, moving, intelligent, funny, and the all around feel good novel we all need to soothe our weary hearts. Making me smile while making me cry - I just adored this one!

An unusual story premise. An unlikely friendship between a sea creature and a human. The development of the storyline was also unique and how the author came to decide on this was also interesting ( a YouTube video). I have not read anything along these lines. It goes to show relationships come in all varieties. So different. I wasn’t sure how it was all going to culminate but was delighted at how she added interesting aspects to bring it all to a satisfying closure. The characters were people I felt like I would know and encounter, definitely real and believable. Tova an older, wiser grandmotherly type who has endured several losses develops a friendship with Marcellus an octopus at the aquarium she cleans nightly. Marcellus is intuitive and highly intelligent and tries to help her find the answers she needs regarding her son Eric. Where it goes from there is quite creative. Cameron a bit of a lost soul that has suffered abandonment and is on a course to find his heritage. While on this journey he encounters numerous people and situations that keep you guessing but propel the story in a timely manner. How it all transpires and ends will leave you fulfilled. Thank you kindly for the ARC #NetGalley All opinions are my own.

This was a delightful, charming, & heartwarming story. I listened to the audiobook, & both narrators did a great job. I especially loved hearing the voice of the octopus (Michael Urie).

A sweet, heart-felt read about a broken family and an incredibly smart octopus. I have developed a bit of an obsession with these brilliant creatures since reading Sy Montgomery's Soul of an Octopus, so was happy to see it mentioned in the acknowledgements.

This book did nothing for me. The writing and storytelling were dry and too wordy for me. The prose was over-detailed to death, and a lot of passages were unnecessary. I couldn't connect to the main character of the octopus for that matter. The story came across as hokey and cookie-cutter. I think I was the wrong target audience for this type of book. I need a novel with a little punch and intrigue.

Unusual book about a bond between human and the sea world. Really enjoyed learning more about the creature and the unusual bond. Great Read.

I had high expectations about this book with all the early buzz attached, but goodness it is slow. So very slow. I gave it my best shot, but no book should take his long to read. I am clearly not that into it.

The positive: the concept is unique and intriguing The Marcellus chapters were the only thing I found the slightest bit engaging.

For libraries: This will definitely find some readers who love it. But RA should definitely be directed to those that have some patience with their reads.

Lovely book about tolerance and loneliness. The characters are multi-dimensional and endearing, their back stories are heart-rending. One of the best books I've read this year!

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a wonderful book that I can not recommend enough. This book is one I could not put down and did not want it to end. You will love this book.

One of the most fabulous books I’ve read. Equally heartbreaking and hopeful. These characters will forever stay in my heart

Really loved this book! The found family and real family aspects, the mystery element, and especially Marcellus! Loved the chapters from the octopus's point of view. An overall lovely book to read.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a unique and heartwarming novel about an unlikely cast of characters. The story is told in the perspective of Tova, a recent widow who lost her son several decades prior and is a janitor at an aquarium; Cam, a down on his luck 20-something who is constantly searching for more; and Marcellus, a Giant Pacific Octopus in an aquarium. It took me a little while to become invested in the story, but it paid off! I loved how three imperfect characters came together. Definitely recommend if you like Frederik Backman's novels or are searching for something unique.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

What a wonderful book! This has been my most favorite read of the year. The author strikes the perfect balance between humor and grief, and had me both laughing out loud and crying. The plot is clearly laid out, and you can't wait for the characters to make the connections as well. Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is remarkably poignant and heartwarming, and will leave you with the understanding that you need more octopi in your life.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is like a warm hug...it's heartwarming and comforting. I can see why it's so hyped. It did combine two of my biggest complaints about books in general - which pertain to friction and telling. My main qualm was with Cameron who we were often told was rough around the edges but we hardly got to see it. I would've liked to see the struggle to grow and change instead of it magically happening in a new place. That does feel like nitpicking for the most part though.

I prefer to go into books blindly but it was spoiled that we get some narration from Marcellus the octopus before I read this. I was very nervous about how that would get pulled off. However, I worried for nothing as he was exceptional. Absolutely unique without trying too hard to be quirky. Loved it.

This book made me happy. It was like an after school special. Very sweet and uplifting.

This book was a delightful summer read. I loved the diverse, creative POVs. I have never read anything quite like it.

I loved everything about this book, from the main character, Marcellus, an octopus in captivity, to the story lines and setting. Tova works as a cleaner at the aquarium in Sowell Bay, when she slowly becomes aware that Marcellus has intelligence. Tova still mourns her 18 year old son whose death at sea was never solved. A second story line starts with Cameron, a smart young man who cannot hold down a job. He is trying to discover who his father is, as his mother left him with an aunt when he was nine. The way these story lines weave together is magic; heartwarming, emotional and lovely. I can’t recommend this book enough, a must read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a cute book with a fanciful narrative. I liked that the book switched between the view points of the octopus and the woman. This was an Elinor Oliphant type book and one of the better ones of a market that’s become slightly flooded with them.

4.5 stars

LIKES:
📝 quirky, jaunty, vivid writing
👥 multi-pov featuring…
🐙 a sentient, sassy octopus!
👵🏻 a fastidious, dependable, stubborn old woman
🧔🏻 a listless, indecisive, angsty 30-something bro
👨🏻‍🦰 a jolly, meddling yet caring Scotsman
🏡 small town PNW vibes
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 explores family dynamics
🤰 + motherhood
👫 + friendship
🖤 + grief & loss
👴🏼 + aging
💕 + second chances
🌱 personal growth vibes
📺 nostalgic
🥹 heartwarming & hopeful
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DISCLAIMERS:
⚠️ DM me for TW!
🏊‍♀️ personally wanted just a ~lil more depth/intensity but I think I’m just not used to heavy topics being written with levity
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VERDICT: a jaunty & light yet emotional & nostalgic read exploring family, loss, change, & second chances! A great pick-me up & book club choice!

This was a warm hug in the form of a book.

I admit, I wasn't too keen on Cameron at first and I worried that the book might drag because of it, but I came to be just as charmed by him as I was by Sowell Bay and the rest of its residents.

I love how everything in this book came together, and the moments we got to spend in Marcellus's head were an utter delight.

What a great novel that took a group of seemingly random people and an octopus and slowly revealed the connections between them all. I really enjoyed this book.