Remarkably Bright Creatures: ‘That Octopus Book’, the international bestseller, now a major Netflix film

My heart is so warm and I'm so sad this book has come to an end for me. I got so involved with the story I will say I cried four times, and I'm not sure a book has ever done that to me before. I loved how easy going the story was, and yes, the plot is very understated for the first 70% of the book but it's so heart-warming I kept going anyway. Such a beautiful story and I'll absolutely be watching the movie with my partner this weekend. As someone that exclusively reads crime and thriller novels, I'm so glad I gave this a go. I think this book will forever live within my top 5 books of all time. I know I will find it hard to beat. When I think back to my childhood where I read thousands upon thousands of books, I can only remember four titles that have always stayed with me. I believe this will become the fifth.

I had high hopes for 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' as I have been learning about octopuses and am quite in awe of them. It seemed then completely wonderful to find a book with an octopus as the central character, but this book isn't quite that. Marcellus the octopus is the character that I am left with a lasting impression of and I am so glad that I met him in this book. He is fascinating, funny, wise, and magical and the book is worth reading just for the role he plays. Several of the other characters are also likeable and tenderly drawn. This is a sometimes funny, sometimes moving, sometimes annoying, and sometimes faintly tedious book and I found myself forcing my way through the middle section. There was enough to keep me reading, but only just. It is worth persevering for the ending though and, of course, for Marcellus. If you love octopuses you will be glad that you read this.

I bought the book after watching the film. It's a lovely, touching story - happy and sad

Super book! Interesting and different! A good read. Read it in 2 days on holiday.

This took a while to grow on me because the the threads of the story were so delicate and ordinary at first. It’s not a fast paced thriller or a book with a huge plot but it’s full of emotion which creeps up on you - I cried several times. The different POVs are authentic and beautifully written. It’s not really my usual sort of book but I’m glad I read it.

I’m glad I read this book at the right time. It was just what I needed - a heartwarming story about family and belonging, with a bit of the fantastical in the preternaturally sapient giant octopus Marcellus at the sea aquarium in a seaside town of Sowell Bay. Already, the movie is out this week, starring Sally Fields in the main role as the recently widowed Tova, who works as a cleaner at the aquarium where she forms a unique bond with Marcellus. Her sad past is somehow inextricably linked to Marcellus, and her path crosses with a dispossessed young man who lands up in Sowell Bay looking for the father he never knew. They form an unlikely friendship and through Marcellus’s interventions, unravel the mysteries they each struggle to solve. The writing is immediately accessible and while it is none-too-lyrical, the story does not demand it, and the telling of it feels natural, drawing the reader in with its easy pacing and its cast of characters. It is reminiscent of Anne Tyler’s family dramas, but with a twist in the clever placing of Marcellus, the nonhuman, as an omniscient narrator of sorts. It was touching without being maudlin or overly melodramatic.

Wow, what a book... I'd read reviews about this book and wanted to read it before watching the film. The story is set in Sowell Bay, Washington State, on the Puget Sound. It's main characters are Tova, a seventy something lady who cleans an aquarium at night as she needed something to do with her time. She lost her Son when he was eighteen and then lost her husband recently. Cameron, in his thirties and living in California, has no direction in life and jeeps losing jobs. He is smart but just cannot be bothered. He was brought up by his Aunt from the age of 9, his Mother left him in her care for the weekend, and never returned for him. He never knew what became of her and never knew his Father. Then there is Marcellus, the Giant Pacific Octopus who lives at the aquarium. An escape genius, very intelligent and nearing the end of his life. Before he dies, he has an important job to do. Can he do it? I absolutely loved reading this book, and as someone who rarely, if ever re-reads books, I can see myself re-reading this one time and again. A real page turner and feel good book, it leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling in your heart.

Wow!!!! What a beautiful beautiful book Shelby Van Pelt has such an incredible way of brining this story to reality it stunning and I love Marcellus he is adorable! And he is so witty. I will definitely watch the film now I could absolutely see why Sally Feild would play Tova in the film. This is a must read you will not be disappointed beautiful!!!

An uplifting and enjoyable book, well written with likeable characters, believable dialogue and of course, an octopus. Anthropomorphisation for sure, but all the better for it. We will never know how an octopus really thinks, but I like to imagine this book captured it. Oh, and there's a human love story and some other stuff that's really sweet!

At first glance, with the title and cover, I expected the octopus to take center stage in the story—but it turned out to be more of a family-searching journey, which was a lovely surprise. That said, the octopus adds just the right spice to the story, offering a unique perspective on the human world. Personally, this book reminded me of my grandfather, who was adopted as a baby and spent years searching for his original family. It gave me a deeper understanding of why people feel such a strong desire to know their roots.

Lovely history

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is heartwarming and comforting, leaving the reader with a bittersweet feeling—sad to say goodbye to the characters, yet grateful to have been part of their journey. The story follows Tova Sullivan, a widow who spends her nights cleaning the Sowell Bay Aquarium, and Cameron Cassmore, a young man who unexpectedly finds himself single, unemployed, and without a place to stay. Readers are also introduced to Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Intelligent and mischievous, Marcellus avoids human interaction when he can, yet he is gradually charmed by the small woman who cleans the glass of his enclosure each night. Shelby brilliantly portrays his curious and perceptive nature, at times allowing the reader brief insight into the workings of his mind. As the story unfolds, the reader is gently drawn into the intertwined lives of all three characters. What makes this book so compelling is the way the author captures the softness and perseverance of each character, despite the challenges they face. One of the most enjoyable elements is the brief, interspersed windows into Marcellus’s mind, captivating the reader with his honest and bemused reflections. However, some readers may find the momentum slows briefly toward the end, as the characters take a bit longer to uncover the final pieces of information. Remarkably Bright Creatures is a wonderful choice for readers seeking a light, wholesome, and heartfelt story. You grow to love these characters and think of them with genuine affection. This book is truly more than just a beautiful cover.

I almost didn't choose this book when I realized the narrator was an octopus. I'm so glad I did read it. This is a wonderful book with characters that are real. They could be a part of anyone's family. It is a well written, heart warming story, without being gushy or overly sentimental. I couldn't put this book down and regret finishing it so quickly. I will be looking for more from this author.