Remarkably Bright Creatures

Tova Sullivan lived alone in a house built by her grandfather in Sowell Bay. When her husband died Tova knew that she had to keep busy so she began working night-shifts as a cleaner  at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Tova knew that keeping busy was the best way of coping with life's challenges - something she had done since her 18 year old son, Erik, had drowned thirty years previously.

Over the years Tova has had many friends in Sowell Bay but as they are getting older they are beginning to move from the area. She therefore considers her future and perhaps the need to sell her home despite Barbara, Janice and Ethan encouraging her to stay. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is not only Tova's story but also the story of Cameron, a young man who arrives in Sowell Bay in the hope of discovering his father. The third thread in the novel is the story of Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who forms a friendship with Tova when she visits the aquarium at night.

Marcellus is a focal point of the book as he observes the activities in the aquarium, reflects on his previous life in the ocean and attempts to assist Tova discover what happened to her son.

To some extent this is a story about being alone and trying to combat loneliness. It is also about friendship. For Tova and Cameron it is also a story of investigating the past so they can determine their futures.

This was a Monash University Alumni Book Club suggested book in 2024.

This was the Monash University Alumni Book Club book for August 2025. 

Netflix are making a film of  Remarkably Bright Creatures.

I reread the book when we were on holidays on the Sunshine Coast and thoroughly enjoyed time with Marcellus, Tova and the other characters again. At Mooloolaba we visited Sea Life Aquarium where we found a small octopus trying to hide in plain sight.

As I watched the octopus I wondered what it thought of the many people passing the enclosure.

Giant Pacific Octopus - Monterey Bay Aquarium