Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. 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.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

The Octopus Who Stole My Heart

The following ratings are out of 5:
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍🌏
Character development: 🤓😟🤯😎🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

Characters and Plot Dynamics

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a gentle, character centered story that blends grief, mystery, and a quiet sense of wonder. At its core are Tova Sullivan, her long missing son Erik, and the unforgettable Marcellus, an unusually perceptive octopus who lives at the aquarium where Tova works. Marcellus can read, think, and communicate in ways that feel startlingly human. He considers being called a squid the worst possible insult. In truth he is a Giant Pacific Octopus, and he views his four year lifespan as a fixed prison sentence inside the aquarium walls.

Tova is a seventy-year-old widow who has shaped her life around routine and responsibility. She works the night shift at the aquarium, choosing solitude over the complications of human connection. Beneath her calm exterior lies a deep reservoir of grief. Her teenage son Erik vanished decades earlier under mysterious circumstances, and that unanswered loss still defines her days. She carries it quietly, rarely allowing anyone close enough to see the full weight of it.

Marcellus, the aquarium’s resident octopus, is anything but ordinary. Highly intelligent and sharply observant, he watches the humans around him with curiosity, amusement, and the occasional flash of judgment. His chapters add a fresh and unexpected layer to the story, offering insights into human behavior that are both witty and surprisingly tender. Despite being confined to a tank, he becomes a catalyst for change in Tova’s life.

The story unfolds at a measured pace, weaving together Tova’s present-day routine, the lingering mystery of Erik’s disappearance, glimpses into the lives of several supporting characters, and Marcellus’s daily observations. As connections form and long buried truths begin to surface, the narrative explores themes of loneliness, healing, and the quiet ways lives intersect. The plot is not driven by dramatic twists. Instead, it focuses on emotional discovery, which gives the story an intimate and deeply human feel.

Highlights and Limitations

One of the strongest elements of this audiobook is its cast of characters. Tova is beautifully written, with a quiet resilience that makes her easy to root for. Her grief feels authentic, and her gradual willingness to open up is handled with sensitivity. Marcellus is equally memorable, offering humor, insight, and a perspective that balances the heavier emotional moments. The story also includes chapters from other characters, including Cameron, a young man who is drifting through life while searching for a job, a place to live, and answers about a man who may be his father.

The writing has a calm, reflective tone that suits the story perfectly. It allows relationships to develop naturally and gives emotional moments room to breathe. For a while I wondered if this was one of those stories that wandered without a clear destination, similar to the feeling of watching Seinfeld. I kept waiting to understand why so many readers on TikTok were raving about it. As the story progressed, everything clicked into place, and I found myself fully engaged. The hype was well deserved, and I ended up falling in love with Marcellus.

The slower pacing may not appeal to listeners who prefer fast moving plots or high stakes drama. Some developments feel predictable once the pieces begin to align. The charm of the story lies more in the journey than in surprising turns. There were several moments when I felt a sense of déjà vu, which is interesting given how original the premise is.

Narration

Marin Ireland and Michael Urie deliver a strong dual narration that elevates the emotional depth of the story. Marin Ireland’s portrayal of Tova is warm, grounded, and quietly powerful. She captures Tova’s resilience and sorrow with a voice that fits the character’s introspective nature.

Michael Urie brings Marcellus to life with a distinct and engaging performance. He conveys the octopus’s intelligence, dry humor, and slightly superior view of the human world. His narration adds personality and texture, making Marcellus feel vivid and real.

The dual narration works beautifully, giving each perspective its own voice and rhythm. It draws the listener deeper into the story and makes the emotional connections feel immediate.

Final Opinion

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a thoughtful and quietly moving audiobook that lingers long after the final chapter. It is a story about loss, but also about connection and the possibility of healing in unexpected places. Tova and Marcellus form an unlikely yet deeply touching bond that carries the heart of the book.

If you enjoy character driven stories with emotional depth and a touch of whimsy, this audiobook is well worth your time. It may not be fast paced, but it offers something more lasting. It reminds us that even the smallest connections can shape a life. The way the story brings Marcellus to life through his inner monologues highlights his intelligence, resourcefulness, and quiet beauty in a way that makes you want to believe every octopus in the real world has the same hidden brilliance.

I recently learned that this book is being adapted into a movie, with Sally Field cast as Tova. She feels like a perfect choice, and I am excited to see how the story translates to the screen.

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