Remarkably Bright Creatures

Title:  Remarkably Bright Creatures

Author:  Shelby van Pelt

Publication Information:  Ecco. 2022. 368 pages.

ISBN:  0063204150 / 978-0063204157

Rating:   ★★★★★

Book Source:  I received this book as a selection for a local book club.

Opening Sentence:  "Darkness suits me."

Favorite Quote:  "Secrets are everywhere. Some humans are crammed full of them. How do they not explode? It seems to be a hallmark of the human species:  abysmal communication skills. Not that any other species are much better, mind you, but even a hearing can tell which way the school it belongs to is turning and follow accordingly. Why can humans not use their millions of words to simply tell one another what they desire?"

Occasionally, a book comes along that touches me in a memorable way. Even though I can't identify exactly why but it leaves the lasting impression, Remarkably Bright Creatures is such a book.

One of the most interesting things about this book is the answer to the question who are the remarkably bright creatures named in the title of the book. The cover of the book and then the book itself clearly identifies the reference:

• In the humans' opinion and in the octopus's own opinion: "The plaque states other facts: my size, preferred diet, and where I might live were I not a prisoner here. It mentions my intellectual prowess and penchant for cleverness, which, for some reason seems surprised to humans octopuses are remarkably bright creatures it says."
• In the octopus's opinion: "Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures."

This book has a small cast of characters – an elderly, lonely woman; a young man who is lost; a small caring community; and a giant octopus. There are many things that our mysteries for the woman and the young man. What happened to the woman's son all those years ago? Who is this young man's mother and why did she abandon him? Who is his family? These mysteries are not a mystery for the reader, and yet the point of ultimate discovery is a sweet one.

I have to say, I was a little apprehensive about this book. After all, it's about an octopus. Could an octopus be a meaningful character in a book? Could it be a character in a way to be engaging? Would I respond the same way as I might to a human character? Remarkably, the answer to all of those questions is a resounding yes. The octopus is actually my favorite character in the book. Because sections of the book are told from his perspective, Marcellus the octopus becomes very real. Because he, along with the reader knows the secrets that are coming, that reality is accentuated. Because, as a reader, I know the end that is coming for him and because I know that he knows, that reality is accentuated.

The other two main characters of the book - the elderly woman and the young man - resonate in their own way. Tova is relatable as a woman grieving the loss of her son and facing a complete change in her life as she is alone and aging. Cameron is a young woman, loved by his aunt but bearing the childhood scars of having been abandoned by his mother and having no knowledge of who his father is.

All three characters are relatable (even the octopus!) and elicit empathy. I want things to turn out well for them. Perhaps, that, most of all, is why the book stays with me.

Book Club Discussions:  The reactions were varied, ranging from okay to loved it. The discussion centered into whether the book had enough "substance" for a literary read.

Please share your thoughts and leave a comment. I would love to "talk" to you.