Sign in with Facebook
JanB's Reviews > Remarkably Bright Creatures
Remarkably Bright Creatures
by
by
This must be my Year of the Octopus. After watching and loving My Octopus Teacher on Netflix, I’m more than a little obsessed with these amazing, intelligent creatures. This is my second book featuring octopuses (no, it’s not octopi), in as many months.
Tova, the 70-year-old cleaning lady at the aquarium, is grieving the recent loss of her husband, and the son who disappeared 30 years ago. Outside of work, I enjoyed the interactions she had with her friends, the Knit Wits. Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who lives in the aquarium, is nearing the end of his short (4-ish) life, having never known freedom, despite his nightly escapes to other tanks to get a tasty snack. Cameron is the new employee, a struggling young man who is on a quest to find the father he never knew.
The chapters alternate between these three characters, and while I enjoyed all three, I wanted more of Marcellus. He is a grumpy old man with a heart of gold. The best part is we are privy to his witty and snarky thoughts, usually about humans. Snark gets me every time.
How these three lives intertwine makes for a heartwarming, feel-good story. There’s a mystery to solve, one Marcellus has figured out. He only has to find a way to get the humans to piece the puzzle together. He might be curmudgeonly, but he has a soft spot for these two, especially Tova, with whom he shares a strong bond. You know where the story is going, but it’s OK, because the journey there is charming and delightful. Marcellus, of course, stole my heart, putting a smile on my face, and a lump in my throat.
Readers who enjoy Fredrik Backman, (although he’s hit or miss with me), will likely love this one too.
* I received a digital copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Tova, the 70-year-old cleaning lady at the aquarium, is grieving the recent loss of her husband, and the son who disappeared 30 years ago. Outside of work, I enjoyed the interactions she had with her friends, the Knit Wits. Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who lives in the aquarium, is nearing the end of his short (4-ish) life, having never known freedom, despite his nightly escapes to other tanks to get a tasty snack. Cameron is the new employee, a struggling young man who is on a quest to find the father he never knew.
The chapters alternate between these three characters, and while I enjoyed all three, I wanted more of Marcellus. He is a grumpy old man with a heart of gold. The best part is we are privy to his witty and snarky thoughts, usually about humans. Snark gets me every time.
How these three lives intertwine makes for a heartwarming, feel-good story. There’s a mystery to solve, one Marcellus has figured out. He only has to find a way to get the humans to piece the puzzle together. He might be curmudgeonly, but he has a soft spot for these two, especially Tova, with whom he shares a strong bond. You know where the story is going, but it’s OK, because the journey there is charming and delightful. Marcellus, of course, stole my heart, putting a smile on my face, and a lump in my throat.
Readers who enjoy Fredrik Backman, (although he’s hit or miss with me), will likely love this one too.
* I received a digital copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Sign into ŷ to see if any of your friends have read
Remarkably Bright Creatures.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
May 12, 2022
–
Started Reading
May 12, 2022
– Shelved
May 12, 2022
– Shelved as:
2022-reads
May 12, 2022
– Shelved as:
netgalley
May 12, 2022
– Shelved as:
buddy-read-with-marialyce
June 1, 2022
–
Finished Reading
June 5, 2022
– Shelved as:
fiction
Comments Showing 1-50 of 96 (96 new)
message 1:
by
Debbie
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
May 15, 2022 03:51PM
Soon to write a review of this. A 5-star read for me, though not quite pogo-stick material. I wanted more octopus! Will be very curious to see what you think of this one. Wouldn’t have picked you as an octopus-character kind of gal!
reply
|
flag
Debbie wrote: "Soon to write a review of this. A 5-star read for me, though not quite pogo-stick material. I wanted more octopus! Will be very curious to see what you think of this one. Wouldn’t have picked you a..."ha, I love octopuses ever since learning more about them in the documentary My Octopus Teacher. It's slow going over here with reading time so it will be just a bit before I finish. I'm happy it's a 5 star for you!
Can't wait to get your take on this. It was 5 stars for me!
I loved this one! I’m searching more octopuses now too. Had no idea�
Oh, this sounds charming! Im in need of a heart warming story. Great review, Jan.
This one seems to be getting a lot of good praise. An excellent review Jan! I'm intrigued!! 🌟
Wonderful review, Jan. So many seem to love this. I’ll have to remember it when I’m in need of a feel good.
Fantastic review, Jan! Glad to see it was a winner for you, too!
Well I feel silly, I thought it was "octopi"! An enticing review, Jan, happy you enjoyed your time with this book, though how sad about poor Marcellus.
Belle wrote: "I loved this one! I’m searching more octopuses now too. Had no idea�"If you get a chance, watch the documentary. It's absolutely wonderful! I learned so much and it's a heartwarming story too.
Love your review too!
Lori wrote: "Oh, this sounds charming! Im in need of a heart warming story. Great review, Jan."Then this is the book for you! Thanks Lori!
Tina wrote: "This one seems to be getting a lot of good praise. An excellent review Jan! I'm intrigued!! 🌟"I think you'd love it Tina, thanks!
Angela M wrote: "Wonderful review, Jan. So many seem to love this. I’ll have to remember it when I’m in need of a feel good."It would be the perfect choice when in need of of a heartwarming story. Thanks Angela!
Debbie wrote: "Fantastic review, Jan! Glad to see it was a winner for you, too!"Thanks Debbie, I'm very far behind (travel, sick...) and will pop over to read your review!
Jayme wrote: "Wonderful review! 🐙"Thanks Jayme!
Jenna wrote: "Well I feel silly, I thought it was "octopi"! An enticing review, Jan, happy you enjoyed your time with this book, though how sad about poor Marcellus."I did too until I saw the documentary lol. I added that so people wouldn't think I was illiterate 😂
ugh, after learning about octopuses I'm not thrilled about them being kept in aquariums in small enclosures, but there is a difference of opinion. Apparently they don't play well with others.
Terrific review, Jan! Glad you enjoyed this one!😊 Hope you are feeling better now!
Glad you had the feel good story. Wonderful review Jan 💖
Sujoya wrote: "Terrific review, Jan! Glad you enjoyed this one!😊 Hope you are feeling better now!"Thanks Sujoya, I am 🤗
Margaret M wrote: "Glad you had the feel good story. Wonderful review Jan 💖"Thanks Margaret!
Wonderful review, Jan, this sounds interesting. 🐙
I thought one octopus book this year was enough. After all, there are many other mall creatures to delve into. Your review makes me think about reconsidering. But then, I am not a fan of Fredrik Backman. Um. I will think about this. Enjoyed your review, Jan.
Just discovered OTT. That’s what this book would be for me. OTT. Nice review, though.
I'm so glad you loved Marcellus, I listened to the audiobook so wasn't sure how he'd come across while reading :) Such a great book!
Lovely review, Jan! I enjoyed this one too!
Great review, Jan! Sounds like an interesting read!
I already had this on my TBR (I asked my library to purchase it). I'm fascinated with octopi and I adore Backman - so fingers crossed I won't be disappointed.
Lovely review, Jan. As you know, I’ve just read my first Backman, but if this is anything like his books, then I’m sold! 💙
Sounds delightful Jan, lovely review!
Nice review, Jan! Everyone seems to be loving this one. I look forward to reading it!
I like the sound of this one! Wonderful review, Jan! 💖
MarilynW wrote: "Wonderful review, Jan, this sounds interesting. 🐙"Thanks Marilyn, it was a fun one!
Patcee wrote: "Just discovered OTT. That’s what this book would be for me. OTT. Nice review, though."ha, you know I'm not a fan of OTT, but other than Marcellus's thoughts, it was all grounded in reality. It was a lovely message about the bond between animals and humans, so being an animal lover, it worked for me.
Jaidee wrote: "Made you feel like a softy huh ?"It did, even for me, lol.
Dorie - Cats&Books :) wrote: "I'm so glad you loved Marcellus, I listened to the audiobook so wasn't sure how he'd come across while reading :) Such a great book!"I saw a review that makes me wish I had listened too! I liked his snark :)
Whitney Erwin wrote: "Lovely review, Jan! I enjoyed this one too!"Thanks Whitney, this seems to be a crowd pleaser!
Barbara wrote: "I thought one octopus book this year was enough. After all, there are many other mall creatures to delve into. Your review makes me think about reconsidering. But then, I am not a fan of Fredrik Ba..."TBH, I've not been a fan of Backman's most recent books, but loved A Man Called Ove. Marcellus reminds me of Ove.
I wonder if Octopuses are going to be the new trope? lol
Rowan wrote: "Great review, Jan! Sounds like an interesting read!"Thanks Rowan!
Bianca wrote: "I already had this on my TBR (I asked my library to purchase it). I'm fascinated with octopi and I adore Backman - so fingers crossed I won't be disappointed."Then I think you will enjoy this Bianca, crossing my fingers for you too!
btw, it really is octopuses, not octopi 🤷🏻♀�
NZLisaM wrote: "Lovely review, Jan. As you know, I’ve just read my first Backman, but if this is anything like his books, then I’m sold! 💙"Oh then you will definitely love this one! Thanks Lisa!
Maureen ( NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) wrote: "Sounds delightful Jan, lovely review!"Thanks Maureen!
Jeannie wrote: "Nice review, Jan! Everyone seems to be loving this one. I look forward to reading it!"Thanks Jeannie, I hope you love it too!
Julie wrote: "I like the sound of this one! Wonderful review, Jan! 💖"Thanks, I think you'd like this one Julie!
Oh wow, I never heard of this but a lovable octopus has certainly piqued my interest. Fab review, Jan! 💛
Michelle wrote: "Oh wow, I never heard of this but a lovable octopus has certainly piqued my interest. Fab review, Jan! 💛"Thanks Michelle! It is a perfect read for when you want a feel-good book with substance. And Marcellus's snark kept him from being too twee. 💕
~enjoy!
I really wanted more from Marcellus’s perspective, too! Great review, Jan!
I want to read this when it comes out. It sounds wonderful! Great review Jan
