A Book A Week

Amidst the relentless Texas heat this week, I'm capitalizing on the opportunity by seeking refuge indoors, accompanied by the soothing embrace of air conditioning and the pages of an engaging book. The literary world has been swept up by Shelby Van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures since its emergence in the spring of 2022, a title that caught my attention through the abundance of bookstagram features it garnered. Drawn to its heartwarming story and unique narrator, I was enticed to read it from the moment I came across it. 

Now, why has it taken me this long to dive in? The explanation is rather straightforward: I found myself at position 642 on the waitlist at my local library. Over the course of several months, I watched this number steadily diminish until, at last, I received a notification this week informing me that my turn had come to experience the book. Wasting no time, I eagerly delved in, and I'm delighted to affirm that Remarkably Bright Creatures proved to be well worth the wait.  

Loss is a familiar companion to Tova. Almost thirty years ago, her teenage son Erik vanished, last seen sailing on a boat in Puget Sound, never to return home. More recently, she mourned the passing of her devoted husband. Left alone in a phase of life that feels like a transition, she has found solace in a newfound routine. As the nighttime janitor at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, Tova's role in instilling order within the facility provides her with a fleeting yet essential sense of purpose.

Cameron, a young man on a quest to discover his path in the world, enters the scene. Raised primarily by his aunt, Cameron's life has been shaped by his mother's unceasing battle for stability and the void left by his absent father. When we encounter him, he has decided to invest every last cent he possesses into a journey to Sowell Bay, driven by a fervent desire to uncover the truth about his father's identity. Could this voyage finally unveil the answers he has long yearned for?

Lastly, we encounter Marcellus, the giant Pacific Octopus. Held captive within the confines of the aquarium for several years, Marcellus stands as an embodiment of intelligence and perceptiveness. Unfortunately, he is acutely aware that he approaches the end of his species' average lifespan. Faced with his impending demise, Marcellus forms an unlikely bond with the night custodian of the building. While he typically regards humans with indifference, this particular woman intrigues him. He detects a deep sadness within her, which he eventually learns is rooted in the loss of her son and the unresolved questions that continue to haunt her. As his final act, Marcellus is determined to give her the answers she seeks.

It is easy to see why Remarkably Bright Creatures is as popular as it is. This book embodies the type of compulsively engaging narrative that I find myself craving during the summer season. Shelby Van Pelt masterfully crafts a work populated by a group of characters, each possessing a charming complexity that endears them to the reader. It was impossible for me not to be drawn into the human characters' pursuit of purpose, a theme that struck a chord within me. The true standout, however, is Marcellus, the octopus, a sentient being who assumes the mantle of the narrator and injects the story with a witty sarcasm that brilliantly counterbalances the more tender moments from the human perspective. His "woe is me" mindset had me chuckling at various points throughout the book. While perceptive readers may foresee the eventual convergence of these characters well before the pivotal revelations in the closing chapters, such foreknowledge should not dissuade you from embarking on this literary journey. The book offers a heartwarming slice of summer fiction, with a touch of depth that elevates it to a rewarding experience. I found myself thoroughly charmed by its pages.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2023, 49)