If you are a regular reader of
this blog, you know I have a thing about books with animals in them. I have
never read about a Giant Pacific Octopus before so
I couldn’t help but pick this one up.
Tova is a seventy-year-old woman
who knows all about grief having lose her only child when he was a teenager (labeled
a suicide) and recently her husband. To keep herself busy she takes a night job
at the Sowell Bay Aquarium cleaning. This is where she meets Marcellus, the aquarium’s
octopus.
To Marcellus,
the aquarium is a prison where he has been held since he was taken from the
ocean as a young octopus. The story begins on Marcellus’ 1,299th day
of captivity. He knows he is nearing the end of his life, not only because his
body is failing but the sign posted outside his tank says his breed have a
lifespan of four years or 1,460 days.
Giant Pacific Octopuses are remarkably
bright creatures and Marcellus is no exception. He and Tova form a special bond
when Tova safes his life. As Marcellus learns Tova’s story he realizes he knows
the truth of what happened to her son and is determined to share it with her. How
you ask? You’ll need to read the book.
The story is told from the point
of view of its three characters; Marcellus, Tova, and 30-year-old Cameron who
can’t hold on to a job. It is not until halfway through the book that his role
in the story makes any sense.
I was sad when the story reached its
natural conclusion. I would have liked to stayed in the world where animals and
humans understand and help each other a little longer. Remarkably Bright
Creatures is Van Pelt’s debut novel.
4.41 stars on Goodreads, 4.6 on
Amazon
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