Why did I love this book?
Really—an octopus narrator? Yes, and it works!
The reason, in a word, is voice. (Aided, of course, by the fact that octopuses are remarkably bright creatures.)
There is also a second human narrator, the woman who cleans the octopus tank at night—and when she begins to share her life story through his tank’s glass while simultaneously trying to keep it fingerprint-free, they develop a strong bond.
Though the story is somewhat predictable—and rather, um, fantastic, in all meanings of the word—the specificity of detail (and that Voice) keeps it all surprisingly believable. We care what happens because of the unique richness of Marcellus and Tova’s relationship.
26 authors picked Remarkably Bright Creatures as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK 'Full of heart and humour . . . I loved it.' Ruth Hogan 'Will stay with you for a long time.' Anstey Harris 'I defy you to put it down once you've started' Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night cleaner shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Ever since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat over thirty years ago keeping busy has helped her cope. One night she meets Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium who…