Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – A Story of Friendship, Healing, and One Remarkable Octopus

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - A Story of Friendship, Healing, and One Remarkable Octopus

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

Tova and Marcellus: a tale of elderly friendship.

A short summary:

At the heart of Remarkably Bright Creatures lies an unlikely friendship between Tova, a lonely widow working night shifts at an aquarium, and Marcellus, a clever giant Pacific octopus nearing the end of his life. When Tova’s routine existence intersects with Marcellus’s curiosity, the two form a bond that helps unravel the mystery of her son’s long-ago disappearance. It’s a story about loss, love, connection, and the extraordinary ways that life and intelligence can surprise us.

My favorite quote from the book:

"My death is imminent. But I'm not dead yet."

-Shelby Van Pelt, Remarkably Bright Creatures

Questions to ponder while reading:

What makes a friend?

Do you live?

My review:

This book is pure delight. Shelby Van Pelt has crafted a gentle, deeply moving tale that blends humor, heartache, and hope in perfect balance. Tova’s quiet resilience and Marcellus’s snarky wit make an unforgettable pair, two souls searching for meaning and finding it in one another.

I laughed, I cried, and I absolutely adored every page. Remarkably Bright Creatures reminds us that friendship and understanding can come from the most unexpected places, and that healing often begins when we open our hearts to wonder. It’s sweet without being saccharine, wise without being heavy, and one of those rare books that leaves you both smiling and misty-eyed.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com

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