Working the night shift at the aquarium in town was an easy way for Tova to keep busy after her husband passed away. Cleaning was a task that kept her mind occupied and she enjoyed the company of the various sea creatures. One night, she catches the octopus in a life-threatening situation. She realizes that there is much more to Marcellus, the giant pacific octopus, than meets the eye. Marcellus and Tova develop an unlikely friendship and Marcellus works to help Tova see what’s right before her eyes.

I am so happy to tell you that Remarkably Bright Creatures absolutely lived up to all the hype. I loved it! The story was captivating and emotional. There was a hint of mystery as well. We read from the perspective of three different characters in the story–Tova, Cameron, and Marcellus (the octopus). I’ll admit I loved the perspective of Marcellus the most. There’s something about a non-human trying to put the human world into words. His commentary made me laugh several times. He was equal parts witty and snarky, and I couldn’t get enough of him! I enjoyed the journey the characters took throughout the book. Although we understand the mystery a lot sooner than the characters do, it was fun watching it all play out. Especially with Marcellus’s help.

I found Tova’s character relatable and realistic. I enjoyed reading about a character in her 70s. I read this book after the movie came out. I haven’t watched it yet, but I thought Sally Field was the perfect person to play Tova. I could imagine her so clearly as I read.

The ending was very near perfection. I very well could have shed a tear, but I was in a public place and refused to cry. I wish there were a few more answers regarding a certain situation. We were left with enough info to guess or make assumptions, but I would have liked to have had more closure. Overall, I’m really impressed and I look forward to reading more from the author. Highly recommend!