Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Read with Jenna Pick

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How do you interpret the book’s treatment of the truth and its revelation? How does this affect the characters and their relationships, and what does it suggest about the importance of truth in our personal and interpersonal lives? I realize that I like more edge, which I thought I would get, of course, with an octopus as a main character. The deal is, it’s realistic fiction with a dab of magical realism. It sort of reminds me of Kevin Wilson’s Nothing to See Here, which I loved. In Wilson’s book, we have a realistic story line, but it also happens to have kids who explode. Here, we also have a realistic story line, but it’s an octopus that’s the weird part. Marcellus reminds me a little of cool Charlotte the spider in the kids’ book, Charlotte's Web. Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible. Wait, please. Were they interviewing him about trends in vacation home sales, or about “some” other “boring thing”? What exactly did this supposed interview entail, Ms. Van Pelt? You’re the only one who knows for sure, and I’d really like to be looped in.

The Vanishing Half: Here we have is a captivating tale that follows the lives of Vignes twin sisters, torn apart by secrets and race. Brit Bennett masterfully intertwines generations and storylines, exploring the enduring impact of the past and the complexities of identity in America. If you believe that animals can bring comfort and happiness to a person’s life and can help you heal from life's tragedies, you will love this book!! It is quirky and fun but there are also some serious issues described. Tova has made friends with a 60-pound Pacific octopus, Marcellus. Viewers of the award-winning documentary 'My Octopus Teacher' will understand how intelligent these creatures can be. Tova talks to Marcellus and thinks he understands her conversations. The octopus can manipulate his large body, enabling him to squeeze out of a small opening in his glass cage and wander about the room. He can only be outside the cage for 18 minutes, or his life is in danger. He has been in the aquarium for about three years of captivity and is nearing the end of his life span. He longs to return to the sea. Marcellus seems to understand what Tova says to him and is adept at observing people's features, mannerisms and emotions. He likes to collect and hide his miscellaneous treasures out of sight in his cage. He is very bright and knows things that Tova and another cleaner haven't figured out yet.Set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with a lively cast of characters (human and cephalopod), engaging and well-paced narrative and a perfect combination of emotion, humor, wit and wisdom (suspend disbelief and you will enjoy the story!), Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful story that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you with a lump in your throat and a smile on your face. The story is told from the perspective of three characters. Tova is a 70-year-old widow. Thirty years ago, her son, Erik, died at the age of 18 in a boating mishap. His body was never recovered. There were rumours of suicide or perhaps murder, but Tova firmly believes it was an unfortunate accident. Her grief was overwhelming, but she kept going by working as a cleaner in an aquarium and taking pride in her work. The narrators were absolutely great and the voice of Marcellus is just as I expected it would be, he is intelligent, a bit of a grouch but has formed a bond with Tova.

I had enjoyed watching My Octopus Teacher on Netflix earlier this year. And Van Pelt does an equally good job of showing the reader how smart octopuses are. Both narrators do a great job. This made for a delightful audio experience. Michael Urle was superb as Marcellus. Marin Ireland always does a great job and this time is no exception. 6. DIANE S Review Remarkably Bright Creatures The chapters alternate between these three characters, and while I enjoyed all three, I wanted more of Marcellus. He is a grumpy old man with a heart of gold. The best part is we are privy to his witty and snarky thoughts, usually about humans. Snark gets me every time.It didn’t hurt that the book is set in my hood, a town near Seattle. I had to laugh—Tova doesn’t like to drive on freeways anymore. And she had to head to Bellingham, a (real) town two hours away. I’m the same age and I won’t drive on freeways anymore, either—and a friend moving to Bellingham was a disaster for me because I couldn’t drive to visit her. I loved that little similarity—funny that it was the very same town! Although Tova and I had age and a fear of freeways in common, I did not identify with her need to clean. But I can definitely see myself liking an octopus like she did. Humans are the only species who subvert truth for their own entertainment. They call them jokes. Sometimes puns.”

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. 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 the Puget Sound over 30 years ago.

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This must be my Year of the Octopus. After watching and loving My Octopus Teacher on Netflix, I’m more than a little obsessed with these amazing, intelligent creatures. This is my second book featuring octopuses (no, it’s not octopi), in as many months. The book was incredibly slow and very mundane at times. More than halfway through nothing significant had happened. There were a few chapters that were completely pointless and didn't contribute to the story in any way.

Some trees aren’t meant to sprout tender new branches, but to stand stoically on the forest floor, silently decaying.” Tova works in the town's aquarium and is still grieving about her son she lost at sea years ago, presumed dead and ruled a suicide. Tova has doubts about the unanswered questions surrounding the mystery of her son's death. How does Tova’s journey towards acceptance of her own mortality shape the narrative, and what role does her relationship with Marcellus, another character dealing with similar concerns, play in helping her achieve this acceptance? While fanciful, this story still had me engaged throughout. The novel is nicely paced and I was never bored.Tova is 70 years old and has no more family. She’s tough and energetic so she spends her nights working as a janitor at the local aquarium. Cameron is a young man who has come to town looking for the father he never knew. His mother left when he was young and he was raised by his aunt. Are you looking for a story that leaves you with a good feeling? You need Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This book has had a lot of positive buzz and I thought the beach was the perfect place to read it. This story is about Tova, a recent widow, who mourns the loss of her son and the future he’ll never have. There’s Cameron – a young man who started life at a disadvantage with a missing father and an addicted mother and can’t seem to get outof his own way. Only Marcellus (full name – Marcellus McSquiddles) a Giant Pacific Octopus 🐙 knows the connection between them and is determined to show them before his time is up. This book is about grief and family in whatever form it takes. The ending is wonderful as well as the journey to get there. (You’ll yell at Cameron a couple of times) Oh, the realistic story is well done, don’t get me wrong. I loved both Tova and Cameron—both sympathetic and well-drawn. The writing is good. The plot is interesting and fast moving, but there is one huge coincidence that you have to buy into. I overlooked that the situation was unlikely because I liked the book so much. Also, the ending is a little too tight for my liking, but then again, it’s heartwarming. Who doesn’t want a feel-good ending these days?