4.1

Remarkably Bright Creatures - A Novel

By Shelby Van Pelt

Format:Hardcover

This Collector's Edition features marbled oceanic edges and endpapers, gold foil, and a reading group guide. A New York Times Bestseller * A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick Soon to be a Netflix Film "Remarkably Bright Creatures [is] an ultimately feel-good but deceptively sensitive debut. . . . Memorable and tender." --Washington Post 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. Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.

Literary & Contemporary Fiction
384 pagesHardcover
First published 2026-10-20

What's Bookie?

  • Free delivery in Germany.
  • Find your perfect next read.
  • Track to motivate you to read more.
  • Connect with people like you.

Popular Reviews(4)

4.1(30 ratings)
Sabrina RehmanReviewed by Sabrina Rehman

One of my favorite books of the year. One of the MMC's was a little annoying though.

Monique MReviewed by Monique M

A thoroughly enjoyable and truly life-affirming read. As sad and frustrating as it sometimes was to witness the actions (or inactions) of both Tova and - even more so - Cameron, their behavior made sense in light of what they had been through. Despite my frustration, I still found myself rooting for both of them. The chapters from Marcellus’s perspective—while occasionally heavy—brought moments of humor, lightness, and hope to the story. I’m also looking forward to the upcoming Netflix adaptation in May 2026. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It gave me a broader perspective on aging, loss, depression and personal agency over one’s life.

Kaja MichelReviewed by Kaja Michel

Super schöne geschichte, obwohl ich mir etwas mehr Raum für Marcellus, den Oktopus, gewünscht hätte. Seine kurz eingeschobenen Perspektiven (-wechsel) waren ein wahres Highlight!

AndraReviewed by Andra

Irgendwie hatte das Buch etwas, was mich wirklich bis zum Ende gefesselt hat. Auch wenn alles vorhersehbar war und definitiv nicht das spannendste Buch war, was ich je gelesen habe. Trotzdem war die Geschichte wholesome und einfach unglaublich süß. Noch nie habe ich einen Oktopus so geliebt wie Marcellus.

Similar Books