Book Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures-Shelby Van Pelt
I was sceptical at first when the book opens with a narration by a giant pacific octopus named Marcellus- who is a captive in Sowell Bay Aquarium. Soon you realise that he is one of the main characters in the book, as he reminds us throughout that he doesn’t have long to live. Intermittently he is nostalgic and wistful when he talks about the sea that he may never feel and see again before he dies. He is also a hoarder and eventually we learn why. His wit left me in splits when he astutely comments on human behaviour while studying the visitors who pass by him daily in the aquarium.
“Tell me again about the intelligence of humans. They cannot even manage to comprehend predictable meteorological events. And they refused to cease their prattle about the heat. ‘Can you believe this weather we’re having?’ Seventeen times today.”
The second primary character is 70-year-old Tova, who lost her son, decades ago when he was 18 years old. She too lives in Sowell Bay. She is at a point in her life, where her estranged brother has just died. His death has triggered many questions about her own life and the decisions that she must make as she has no heirs.
Tova and Marcellus develop a lovely friendship and he helps her find answers to many unanswered questions surrounding her son’s untimely death. Throughout the story, we are introduced to various characters that make up this little town and an out-of-towner named Cameron who will eventually play a pivotal role in Tova and Marcellus’s life.
This story has humour, friendship, a sense of community, and the steadfast love that an aunt has for her nephew abandoned by his mother. It speaks eloquently about the fear of loneliness especially when old age sets in and we have outlived our family. There is also an undertone of grief and longing for answers underpinning the book.
This is a heartwarming story that left me feeling content and invested in all the characters, especially Tova and Marcellus.
In Marcellus’ words-
‘Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures’
-Anju