Book Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Cecily Monahan ’26 On a chilly February afternoon, I picked up a book titled Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Instantly, I was captured. The book begins with narration from a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus McSquiddles—much to his chagrin, for he is not a squid. As the story progresses, we also read from the point of view of an older Swedish woman named Tova and a man in his thirties named Cameron, or Cam for short. Van Pelt weaves a heartfelt narrative with captivating characters and storylines, making this book impossible to put down. The premise of the novel revolves around Tova. After her husband Will died, she began working the night shift as a janitor at her local aquarium, the Sowell Bay Aquarium, to keep busy. Keeping busy has long been Tova’s strategy for grieving, one she had employed after the disappearance of her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, many years before. While working at the aquarium, she forms a bond with Marcellus, who has a habit of sneaking out of his tank at Sowell Bay. The octopus manages to deduce what happened years ago when Tova’s son never returned from a sailboat on Puget Sound and consequently must find some way to convey this information to Tova, all while nearing the end of his life. The story evolves into one of hope, unlikely connections, and moving forward from a troubled past. Something incredibly unique about Remarkably Bright Creatures is that the author makes the reader care about the characters within mere pages of their narration. Each has a distinctive voice, instantly differentiating them from the other characters. Each has struggles, introduced masterfully, that compel the reader to root for them. Van Pelt immediately puts such personality into each character that it is no exaggeration to say that the writing is exceedingly captivating, even without its original plotline and witty writing style. Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of the best books I have ever read. It is thought-provoking but not pretentious, gentle but not boring, and emotional but not over-the-top. Every character and every moment gets its chance to shine. It turns a small town on Puget Sound into a place of mystery, intrigue, and great sadness but also great joy. It is heartfelt, genuine, and, despite telling stories of great tragedy, incredibly uplifting. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is, at its core, a tale of love, and quite a good one at that. 
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If you click on the book title, it will take you to the Amazon page so that you can order it.FLAMINGO BOOK CLUB - 2024
January (1/11) BOOK SELECTION at Christine February (2/8) STRANGERS IN THE LIFEBOAT by Mitch Albom Leader: Shelly at Shelly March (3/14) SOLITO by Javier Zamora Leader: Susan at Susan April (4/11) THE SEARCHERS by Tana French Leader: Pat at Darci May (5/9) THE KEEPER OF HIDDEN BOOKS by Madeline Martin Leader: Nancy at Pat June (6/13) THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE by James M. McBride Leader: Mary at Mary July (7/11) LITTLE MONSTERS bv Arienne Brodeur Leader: Alice at Alice August (8/8) THIS IS HAPPINESS by Niall Williams Leader: ? FOOD NIGHT - Bring a dish to share at Vicki September (9/12) THE PRAYER BOX by Lisa Wingate Leader: Vicki at Darci October (10/10) THE HIKE by Lucy Clarke Leader: Donna at Donna November (11/14) REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt Leader: Shelly and Susan at Nancy December (12/12) THE NIGHT WATCHMAN by Louise Erdrich Leader: Darci CHRISTMAS PARTY - Bring a wrapped book for gifting at Pam |