I hope Shelby Van Pelt writes many more books - I want to read them all!

This is such a charming story about 70 year old Tove, who is is a pragmatic and no-nonsense women, who keeps busy and unsentimental in order to cope with the tragedies she has endured in her life. She is striking up friendships with other lost souls, among them a rather snobbish octopus, named Marcellus.
If you think that sounds absurd, you're right, but it's also hilarious and heartwarming. I loved this story from beginning to end. The narrators are excellent, and the posh voice of Marcellus is just perfect. I've already recommended this book to everybody around me.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to listen to and review this ARC.

What a lovely book! I SO enjoyed listening to this one - the narrators couldn't have been more perfect. Michael Urie and Marin Ireland are the perfect actors to tell Shelby Van Pelt's story. I'm not quite sure how Van Pelt manages to make an octopus such an engaging character, but she has done it. Tova, the main character is a delight with her formal, old-school quirks and her soft heart. The way Van Pelt shows the melting of not only Tova, but of Cameron, the 30-year-old man who's out of luck and becomes Tova's coworker, is beautiful. It speaks to a larger theme of allowing one to see oneself in a different way. My only critique (and it is quite small) is the use of the term 'crochet' interchangeably with 'knitting'. As a knitter, it sticks out to me when anyone says a 'crocheted' item was 'knitted'. But, like I said, it's a small thing. This book is definitely worth a read, and probably one of the rare ones I will read again in the future.

I grabbed this one because I was intrigued by the title and cover, and also by the fact that it's narrated in part by an octopus. It turns out that this story is made up of everything I love: wonderful characters, complicated families, deep friendships, a bit of mystery, lots of real life, and the tenderness of animal/human relationships (without any sadness!). I keep thinking about the story and would actually love a sequel. I believe that REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES is a title that will endure. I absolutely loved this book, and the audio is just terrific.

I was given an advance reader copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I really wanted to love this book. The voice of the octopus was excellent and his character very compelling. Also enjoyed the perspective of the cleaning lady. But there were a lot of back story segments where I got lost and it was difficult to follow the flow of the plot.

This book is magical and heartwarming. I usually steer clear of literary fiction, however the prospect of an octopus narrator drew me in. Marcellus is a wonderfully surly octopus, counting down the last days of his life in captivity, until he becomes entangled with Tova (a human woman) in his aquarium home. It is refreshing to see an older woman, unapologetically portrayed as the center of a narrative, and her story and the story of their friendship will keep you coming back for more.

How can an octopus in captivity, a life-worn woman in her 70s, and a down on his luck young man combine to tell such a heart-warming, emotional story of hope? Thank goodness for Shelby Van Pelt and her debut novel which weaves the lives of these three characters in such a way that keeps you captivated. I fell in love with Tova, a septuagenarian whose life had been filled with the grief of her teenage son and more recently her husband. I was amazed at Marcellus, a giant Pacific Octopus who taught me so much about his species while being a keen student and detective of the human race. And I came to understand the young man Cameron, who had been dealt a tough hand in life. If you are looking for a book that will take you through the mysteries of grief to places of hope, then enter into this story with a heart ready to be filled. Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy of the audiobook!

Remarkably Bright Creatures is remarkably bright! An unusual narrator helps the story develop into a feel-good novel where old and young can relate and profound loneliness can morph into bright and fulfilled lives. The storyline is unique, unlike anything I've read before. Most books seem to be written for younger audiences, but this story appeals to many generations and does it with uniqueness, grace, and believability.

I don't know where to start about everything that I loved about this book. Making one of the main characters a captive octopus may seem an odd choice, but Marcellus is a fantastic character and Michael Urie's narration of him is delightfully snarky. Marin Ireland does a great job voicing the other characters and I loved every one of them. Each begins so sad and alone but throughout the story realizes that family isn't always those that you're born with. I laughed and I cried and I loved the journey. Thank you so much to HarperCollins and NetGalley for letting me enjoy this audiobook for my honest opinion.

Maybe 3.5*

This audiobook was an enjoyable listen. The narrator did a good job. I thought I was reminded of the reading of another audiobook I'd read, and sure enough, it was <i>Anxious People</i> by Backman.

I originally was attracted by the blurb that told me an octopus would help solve a mystery. Hey, that sounded more interesting than dogs and cats that have lots of mysteries written about them helping! In truth, Marcellus (the octopus <s>living</s> held in an aquarium) is NOT the main character here, but he does actively try to help his new human friends solve a 20-year-old mystery.

At first I felt there were too many seemingly unrelated characters to remember. But, as the story proceeds the main characters become obvious and we eventually understand more. I do believe there are a few characters that weren't really vital to the story and could have been cut, but I did end up enjoying the story, overall.

Octopuses are interesting creatures and are reputed to be quite smart. It does appear that a true friendship is developed and the story is satisfying. I also liked that the main character was a retired woman (although working part-time); but she also develops relationships with younger folks in the book. It's a good one to listen to, also.

What a delight! I have already told lots of other library staff about this book and look forward to recommending it to our patrons. I really appreaciate having the option to do some audio books on here. I'm sure the book is great, but the audio of Marcellus was the best!

This was an excellent read. This is a book about families lost and found, second chances, and an incredibly intelligent giant pacific octopus named Marcellus. The main human characters are Tova and Cameron, two characters who are both very different and yet eerily similar in many ways. Tova started working as a cleaner at the Sowell Bay Aquarium after her husband Will died of cancer to help keep herself busy. Cameron is a 30 year old man who's adrift and listless and feels like the world keeps dealing him a bad hand, from having a mom who got addicted to drugs when he was a kid and leaving him with his aunt and never knowing who his father was. When his aunt gives him a box of things his mom left, he finds a clue as to the identity of his father, a picture of his mom and a young man wrapped around a high school class ring from Sowell Bay. He decides to track down the young man in the picture, hoping he can find his father and get some payback from all the years he was missing a parent. But the secrets of Sowell Bay aren't as obvious as he hoped...at least not to any of its human occupants.

The narrators for the audiobook were fantastic, especially Michael Urie as Marcellus. He did such a good job of capturing Marcellus's disdain and intellectual superiority throughout his chapters, all while still relaying his softer side as Tova grew closer to the octopus. I enjoyed the story over all, even the slight mystery at the heart of the book (which I felt incredibly clever for figuring out even though it wasn't really hard to do. I just wish the characters could've figured things out faster as well. Marcellus certainly tried to help them along the way).

This is a great book for anyone who wants some good literary fiction that has a lot of heart and is especially good at conveying the idea that animals can be very beneficial to humans in a variety of ways (I loved Cat and am glad he found a home...though I don't love the letting him wander outside as much because of a variety of reasons but that's a whole other topic) and that family doesn't have to be just the people you're blood related to (Ethan and the KnitWits are definitely part of Tova's family whether she wants to believe it or not). I thoroughly enjoyed it and was glad I got to read it as a little palate cleanser between the romances I'm reading for a book club.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me early access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A feel-good story about a prim and proper widow, Tova, who befriends a curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus, at the aquarium where she spends her evenings painstakingly polishing the floors and glass, much to the chagrin of Tova's knitting group, the Knit Wits, who spend more time gossiping than knitting. After decades of mourning the loss of her son, then her husband, Tova meets a young ne'er-do-well who covers her janitorial shift while she nurses an injury and through a series of misadventures, discovers hidden answers to her son's mysterious disappearance, finds true friendship and connects with family she never knew she had. The narrative is witty and poignant and the narration is authentic and emotive. Remarkably Bright Creatures will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries as well as family dramas with bittersweet humor.

I loved hearing the octopus perspective! But is is also a story of family, love, connections and coming of age. This was a book that reminded me of a blanket around you!

I loved this book, and the audio version is wonderful. It will be be among my top books of the year, I'm sure, because where else can you find a novel about a lonely woman, a hapless young man, a Scottish grocery store owner who knows everyone's business (and shares it), and a great Pacific octopus who is counting down his final days in an aquarium? This is heartwarming, fun, unusual entertainment with an opening and closing that flips the meaning of the title.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
This book is described as a book for A Man Called Ove fans, and it did not disappoint. The book's cover distracts from the book, making it seem juvenile. However, the storyline is well thought out, dealing with complex life issues. The characters are 3-dimensional and relatable; even the talking octopus seems natural. Although the plot is predictable, it is an ending the reader hopes to get. A book that will stay with me for a long time.

This is one of those books that absolutely lives up to its buzz and words can not do an adequate job describing, it must be experienced and the audio version is a wonderful way to experience. The main characters of this book are all living with loss and dealing with it in their own ways. Finding each other changes them in unexpected ways. Oh, and one of them is an octopus and the narrator sounds exactly like I would expect an octopus to sound.

I cannot express how much I loved this book!

When I read the description of the book I immediately thought this is going to be a very weird story. How can an octopus bring people together? I will say in a very unique and beautifully told story.

The loneliness of a young man, a widow, and an octopus come together telling a story of overcoming the many challenges of their lives.

I absolutely love this book and believe everyone should take it to the beach, the mountains, or whether they plan to travel this year.

The narrators were wonderful and kept me completely focused and entranced with the story.

Be prepared to suspend your disbelief and fall in love with a Giant Pacific Octopus! Marcellus steals the show with his chapters full of remarkably bright insights into the human world. He truly is a "smart cookie". The rest of the novel features a lovely cast of characters--centering on Tova, an elderly widow, and Cameron, a lovable deadbeat 30-something. The narrator does a wonderful job bringing this small town alive. A truly charming audio experience.

I absolutely loved this audio edition.

As to the story - I found the character of Cameron to be annoying (although I understand that is the point) to the level that I did not care about what happened to him. I was listening to hear about Tova.

** spoiler alert ** A generous 3.75 stars.

Thank you netgalley and harperaudio for the chance to listen to this advanced copy!

Ever sense I heard Shelby Van Pelt talk about this book, I had to get my hands on it! and when I saw it available on netgalley I snatched it right up!

I loved Tova and Marcellus' stories and friendship. I would have loved to have the story be all about them, but then Cameron came into the story and became the rock that sunk the narrative.

He was whiny, ungrateful, selfish and immature. His past was sad though, His mother left him with his aunt when he was 9 and his father was unknown. But he kept using it as an excuse for his own laziness. He was given chance after chance after chance but he blew them. His mother and her addiction and abandonment because his villain origin story and even when he thought maybe she was not so bad, he forced it down because then he would have had to face the fact that he's an ungrateful loser who uses his sad back story as an excuse to not be in charge of his own life.

The fact that Tova's son was Cameron's dad made my eyes roll so bad. But that whole story was so sad and I wish the third point of view would have been Cameron's mom. I felt so bad for her. :(

All in all an enjoyable book.