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Lori Keeton's Reviews > Remarkably Bright Creatures
Remarkably Bright Creatures
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Lori Keeton's review
bookshelves: 2023-books, contemporary, fiction, 52-book-challenge-2023
Jan 08, 2023
bookshelves: 2023-books, contemporary, fiction, 52-book-challenge-2023
I am having trouble with my rating of this heart warming novel. As I get into my thoughts, I will try to explain a little better. First of all, how could one not fall in love with the charming, bright, and lovable but grumpy Marcellus?!?!? When I opened the book and the first chapter was written in Marcellus� voice, I was thrilled! How exciting to get to read from the octopus’s perspective. It was a rather short introduction and meeting Marcellus was a joy but also a sad experience as we learn that he is counting the number of days he has been in captivity at the aquarium. His life span is only 4 years so he doesn’t have a very long time to live.
Then we meet Tova, a 70 year old woman who cleans the aquarium at night. She and Marcellus develop a rather unique relationship and is just so darn sweet that they can communicate with each other. We learn that her husband has recently passed and that her son mysteriously died 30 years ago. There are questions about how he died and Marcellus plays a very big part in bringing the answers she has been longing for. He is a quirky yet grumpy old octopus who finds a friend in Tova and a desire to help her.
We also meet a young man, named Cameron, who has been raised by his Aunt because his mother left him when he was a boy and never told him anything about his father. When his aunt gives him some of his mom’s belongings, he makes a pretty big assumption about a picture he finds and his father. So his story begins as a mystery to finding out who he could be. But this is where I lose interest because I really disliked Cameron. He was ungrateful and whiny and the fact that he was supposed to be very intelligent didn’t win him any points for likability in my book.
Marcellus was the star here and I was often wanting more of him and his funny musings about humans but there were large chunks of chapters with no voice of the endearing octopus. His part in trying to get the humans to put the pieces together to solve the mystery was great. All in all it is a heart-felt story even though predictable and coincidental. But now that I’ve fleshed out all of my thoughts, it’s the octopus who will be getting the stars here. 4 of them!
Then we meet Tova, a 70 year old woman who cleans the aquarium at night. She and Marcellus develop a rather unique relationship and is just so darn sweet that they can communicate with each other. We learn that her husband has recently passed and that her son mysteriously died 30 years ago. There are questions about how he died and Marcellus plays a very big part in bringing the answers she has been longing for. He is a quirky yet grumpy old octopus who finds a friend in Tova and a desire to help her.
We also meet a young man, named Cameron, who has been raised by his Aunt because his mother left him when he was a boy and never told him anything about his father. When his aunt gives him some of his mom’s belongings, he makes a pretty big assumption about a picture he finds and his father. So his story begins as a mystery to finding out who he could be. But this is where I lose interest because I really disliked Cameron. He was ungrateful and whiny and the fact that he was supposed to be very intelligent didn’t win him any points for likability in my book.
Marcellus was the star here and I was often wanting more of him and his funny musings about humans but there were large chunks of chapters with no voice of the endearing octopus. His part in trying to get the humans to put the pieces together to solve the mystery was great. All in all it is a heart-felt story even though predictable and coincidental. But now that I’ve fleshed out all of my thoughts, it’s the octopus who will be getting the stars here. 4 of them!
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Reading Progress
July 29, 2022
– Shelved
July 29, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
January 6, 2023
–
Started Reading
January 8, 2023
–
Finished Reading
January 9, 2023
– Shelved as:
2023-books
January 9, 2023
– Shelved as:
contemporary
January 9, 2023
– Shelved as:
fiction
January 9, 2023
– Shelved as:
52-book-challenge-2023
Comments Showing 1-29 of 29 (29 new)
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Ian
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Jan 09, 2023 05:03PM
Lovely review. Marcellus sounds rather more appealing than some of the humans.
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Ian wrote: "Lovely review. Marcellus sounds rather more appealing than some of the humans."Thank you Ian! As I said, Marcellus was the star! I could have read an entire book written from his voice. The humans here were mostly lacking!
Outstanding Lori. I've seen many positive reviews on this book and cannot wait to read it - I need something like this right now.
Ian M. Pyatt wrote: "Outstanding Lori. I've seen many positive reviews on this book and cannot wait to read it - I need something like this right now."Thanks very much, Ian. I hope you can get a copy soon. It’s definitely a feel good read. I hope you enjoy it!
What a likeable chap Marcellus sounds, although I have not much to compare him with, as haven’t read too many books about octopuses!!! This has been on my TBR list for a while, so will definitely give it a go on a day I need to a heartwarming read 😌
Great review Lori. I actually did like Cameron and just accepted his youth as his main problem. There were some great peripheral characters too.
Megan wrote: "What a likeable chap Marcellus sounds, although I have not much to compare him with, as haven’t read too many books about octopuses!!! This has been on my TBR list for a while, so will definitely g..."Megan, I do think you’ll enjoy this one for sure. Marcellus is wonderful. Looking forward to reading your thoughts next!
Diane wrote: "Great review Lori. I actually did like Cameron and just accepted his youth as his main problem. There were some great peripheral characters too."Good point Diane. I just wanted more Marcellus in the end and less humans!! I did enjoy Tova and would love to see that house in real life!
Good review, Lori. I really liked Tova, had hopes for Cameron, and loved every minute spent with Marcellus the octopus.
The idea of Marcellus having a voice is what compelled me to put this on my tbr. I find the octopus a fascinating being. I am glad you enjoyed this one overall and look forward to reading it sometime in the future.
I had already added this to the TBR, but somewhat reluctantly. Your lovely review makes me very anxious to make Marcellus' acquaintance.
Zoeytron wrote: "Good review, Lori. I really liked Tova, had hopes for Cameron, and loved every minute spent with Marcellus the octopus."Wasn’t he wonderful? I adored him and wanted more of his grumpiness! Tova was a sweet lady for certain. Cameron still disappoints me. Thanks Zoey!
Lisa wrote: "The idea of Marcellus having a voice is what compelled me to put this on my tbr. I find the octopus a fascinating being. I am glad you enjoyed this one overall and look forward to reading it someti..."I was pleasantly surprised by Marcellus having a voice. What a fascinating creature as you say. I would love to know more about them especially how intelligent they are. I hope you love this when you get to it.
Sara wrote: "I had already added this to the TBR, but somewhat reluctantly. Your lovely review makes me very anxious to make Marcellus' acquaintance."I understand your reluctance - I imagine it is the contemporary setting. I think you’ll be charmed by Marcellus and appreciate Tova’s spirit. It’s just a fun heart warming story that I chose to overlook the things that I found lacking.
Lori, did you watch the Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher?
Lisa wrote: "Lori, did you watch the Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher?"I have not, Lisa but I should. Was it good?
Terrific review, Lori. I'm on a waiting list at my library for this one. Can't wait.
Anne wrote: "Terrific review, Lori. I'm on a waiting list at my library for this one. Can't wait."Yay! I’m anxiously awaiting your review Anne!
Lori wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Lori, did you watch the Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher?"I have not, Lisa but I should. Was it good?"
It really is.
The octopus sounds charming and deserves the stars, Lori. Your review drew me in and i think I’ll like meeting Marcellus. 😊
Laysee wrote: "The octopus sounds charming and deserves the stars, Lori. Your review drew me in and i think I’ll like meeting Marcellus. 😊"He is certainly charming in his grumpy way, Laysee! I fell quickly for him and hope you do too!! Thank you!!
Marcellus does indeed sound interesting Lori another great review from you and glad to see you enjoyed this one 😊
Mark wrote: "Marcellus does indeed sound interesting Lori another great review from you and glad to see you enjoyed this one 😊"Thanks Mark! You know, you two do share a very similar name! He’s a very clever octopus!
Wonderful review Lori. Loved reading your comments on this one 💖
Margaret M - Apologies for taking time to respond. wrote: "Wonderful review Lori. Loved reading your comments on this one 💖"Thank you n my Margaret! This was a sweet story and Marcellus the star!!
Lori wrote: "Mark wrote: "Marcellus does indeed sound interesting Lori another great review from you and glad to see you enjoyed this one 😊"Thanks Mark! You know, you two do share a very similar name! He’s a ..."
......just saw this Lori - well we do, I do get Marcus or Markus a lot, bit never Marcellus - which is a shame due to my penchant for Roman History!!! I only have two legs though.
I've thought about adding this book, due to your review Lori but I dont think I could get over the sadness of a wonderful animal like that being in a tank - poor thing. But you do say it's heart warming and a bit funny too 😊
😂 well you are equally charming and clever as Marcellus!I do understand why you’d be sad about his captivity. It’s made clear from the beginning that he is counting the days he’s been there and he knows his life span is 4 years. So yes, there is sadness underlying but the way Marcellus handles it brings the humor and emotion. He’s really the cleverest of all!
Lori, you have written a much better review than me, and I felt exactly the same. Marcellus was a star, and I thought more could have been made of his musings about human life. But I really disliked the chapters on Cameron, you are right, he was bone idle and there is no way I could see an attractive woman like Avery falling for him. I did not even feel the writing was very good, and I’ve found with modern books I get frustrated when a lot of slang words are used . I still get a little worried of going against the general trend of positive reviews but I am glad I read your review again as it reminded me to be honest in my own opinions xxx
Megan wrote: "Lori, you have written a much better review than me, and I felt exactly the same. Marcellus was a star, and I thought more could have been made of his musings about human life. But I really dislike..."Megan, you are always thoughtful and I appreciate your kind words as always. Cameron was not my favorite at all. I loved Tova though. Never be worried to give your honest opinion. I always appreciate reading how you really feel. And I agree about modern writing. It’s not always the best after reading great classics!
