Summer Blink Book Review: “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt
July 1, 2026
By Reba Hull Campbell
I avoided this book because of the octopus.
I loved the cover. So many friends raved over the story. But, I’d not been inclined to read the book because I typically don’t like stories that aren’t grounded in reality. The idea of a humanized octopus having a big role in this book just didn’t seem grounded in reality to me. 
Lesson learned. Sometimes, just judge the book by its cover.
A young friend recommended this book and assured me that only a few of the chapters featured the octopus as the primary character. She offered me her copy for a recent beach trip.
And did I make a wrong assumption about the octopus’ role in the story!
This book weaves together a delightful story of slightly misfit, but lovable, characters. All are seeking truths and connection through their own grief journeys. Their paths converge in a small coastal Washington state town.
The common thread is Tova, a 70-year-old widow who cleans the local aquarium after hours. Tova befriends Marcellus, the aging octopus, during her nocturnal work shifts. Over the course of her conversations with Marcellus, we learn of Tova’s life losses and her uncertainty around assuring she won’t be a burden to her friends as she ages.
The flow of the book is steady. The connection between the cast of flawed, but endearing, characters’ initial stories seems a little random at first. But I do love a book that expertly weaves characters’ stories together without the reader realizing it until the “ah ha” moment arrives.
Marcellus’ role gives the reader like me, who wants a book grounded in reality, just enough leeway to accept his role in the story. It’s key, but not so overwhelming that I tuned him out.
My favorite part of the book comes when the reason for the title is revealed. I’ll let the reader discover that.
Sometimes the best books are the ones we almost don’t read.
In 2022, Reba Campbell set out to get off the screens and back to books for the summer. Her accountability was writing short Blink Book Reviews (so short you can read them in a blink). Now it’s an annual summer thing. Join Reba’s Blink Book Review Facebook group to follow along. Reba is president of Columbia, SC-based The Medway Group and can be reached at [email protected].
