Recently, I have been reading a variety of books, including “Elsewhere” by Gabrielle Zevin, “State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett, “Moloka’i” by Alan Brennert, “Ourselves Beside Me” by Karen Joy Fowler, “The Girls” by Lori Lansens, “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, and “The List” by Sara Nisha Adams. While I typically enjoy mystery/crime novels, I have found myself drawn to contemporary fiction more often lately.
One of the main characters is Tova, a widow who works night shifts at the small, tidy aquarium in the coastal town of Bay Sowell. Tova has a special connection with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living in the Washington Aquarium. This bond between them is magical and inexplicable, and it brings a sense of beauty to the readers while also evoking grief and emotions beyond life. Marcellus is Tova’s favorite creature, and their bond opens up a world of connections and magic in the realm of reading.
Marcellus, a sixty-pound Pacific giant octopus, seems to live a life that is somewhat larger than the open and cold currents of the untamed ocean. He still dreams of being back in the ocean and free, but he came to live at the aquarium after being rescued as a juvenile. Marcellus has two long-time friends, Cameron and Ethan, who are married to each other. He has an aunt who takes care of him when he needs it, but he doesn’t want to get too close to her, even though she watches over him. Mack, who owns a small grocery store, also keeps an eye out for him. Tova, another important support in his life, is part of a group of women called the “Knit-Wits,” who get together once a month to share special occasions. Some of these people have been there for Cameron and Tova when they feel alone with their grief. Cameron’s worst enemy can be himself, and at thirty years old, he feels like he has settled into a life where there is nothing. He never knew his father, and his mother walked out on him when he was eight years old. These days, Cameron fills his time by working the night shift cleaning at the aquarium, but he doesn’t need the money and is actually retired. Tova defines herself and is haunted by the loss of her son thirty years ago, but she is also a widow of five years.
Tova enjoys working and staying busy at the aquarium, which provides a relaxing bonus at night. She lives in her grandfather’s house, which was built on Puget Sound, where the ghosts of those who are now gone are more of a personal history than maudlin memories. Tova never feels self-pity or bitterness, but she is not resistant to changes in her life. She sees these changes as a way of heading towards her “golden” future. Marcellus’ and Tova’s stories quickly blend as they develop a special communication. The chapters in the book are divided into three main characters’ stories: Tova, Marcellus, and Cameron, each told from their viewpoint.
He is a lovable rascal, but he’s a rascal. He shows us that it’s not the number of days that matter, but what you do with them. Marcellus shows his surprising agility and hidden cleverness when people are absent from the aquarium at night, delighting readers as they discover his own thoughts. You can hear his laugh in his snarky and witty remarks, underestimating his intelligence as most humans do. Marcellus’ voice is my favorite, as it is full of underestimated intelligence. The first chapter spans 1,460 days out of his four-year life, revealing how many chapters will start with the 1,299 days.
Cameron finds himself in a characteristically elusive situation when he comes to work at the aquarium where Tova must take time off to make changes in his life. But he ends up in Bay Sowell to confront the man he thinks his father is, only to find a chip on his shoulder. Cameron’s story starts in California, where he is raised by his aunt after his mother abandoned him when he was eight, navigating a romantic relationship and holding a troublesome job.
The core inner stubbornness of the characters in this story compels them to not give up hope. Being stuck or lost does not preclude positivity. Each character in Creatures Bright Remarkably has a burning bright light inside, waiting to shine. The title of the book applies not only to intelligence but also to their remarkable qualities. This story might sound sad, but it’s not entirely hopeless. It might be more accurate to say that the characters are stuck or lost to some degree, including Marcellus. All the characters in this book are lost to a certain extent.
I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for readers. Astonishingly, Van Pelt’s debut book, Creatures Bright Remarkably, takes us through the struggles of loneliness, trust, and love within a family, with Marcellus as our guide. It also teaches us how much animals can teach humans, proving once again that our hearts can be stolen. Indeed, Creatures Bright Remarkably has been described as heartwarming and unique. What’s unexpected is Marcellus’s role as an unusual detective, discovering unusual answers from the past. Cameron, who never knew his dad, is now searching for answers about her disappearance many years ago, as Tova still searches for answers on the Sound. Truly, Creatures Bright Remarkably is a mystery that adds to the remarkable story, fitting into the crime/mystery genre that I mostly read. The title of the book, Creatures Bright Remarkably, aptly describes such an exceptional experience for me.