Recent Reads - Remarkably Bright Creatures

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Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - Who would have thought that a novel about a friendship between a lonely cleaning lady and a bored octopus would be so warm and engaging? This unusual relationship is at the heart of the story, and somehow even an aging aquarium octopus is a relatable and sympathetic character.

Tova Sullivan is a widow who still has unanswered questions about the death of her only son many years ago. To keep herself busy, she has taken a job cleaning the Sowell Bay aquarium after hours. Tova knows how to clean and she doesn't put up with any nonsense, but she's also made it a habit to greet each of the creatures as she makes her rounds. Over time she develops an odd affection for the Giant Pacific Octopus (his name is Marcellus), and after she rescues him from a predicament, he seems to trust and like her as well.

Other characters that play major roles are a young man named Cameron, who seems perpetually down on his luck; and Ethan, the crusty Scotsman that owns the grocery store and deli. Their friendships with Tova and how all the various storylines and characters intersect keep you turning pages and cheering each of them on. Cameron is on a chancy search for his father and for information about his missing mother and that's what brings him to Sowell Bay for the summer. Tova's social circle, a knitting group, is dwindling as the aging members move away to be with children, and Tova finally accepts that she won't be able to stay in her house alone forever and makes plans to sell. Ethan is the generous soul that takes Cameron in and helps him get a job, and that helps Tova out when he can because he doesn't want her to move away.

Interspersed with the present tense narrative of these viewpoint characters' stories are the shorter chapters that are rather like Marcellus' diary. Marcellus keeps count of the days of his captivity and records his observations about the humans around him. It is Marcellus that puts together the various pieces of information and has the answers Tova is looking for, but will he be able to communicate what he knows to her before it's too late? 

A definite must-read!

This is a book written in present tense (#37) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

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