Marcellus, an octopus, opens the book complaining about his captivity in an aquarium north of Seattle. One of his caretakers is a lady named Tova. Tova, a widow, is relatively alone since only son died when he was eighteen years old. Marcellus is generally cynical about humanity but loves Tova, who talks to him regularly.
A third storyline then opens up about Cameron, who lives in California. He is trying – and failing – to get his life together. A thirty-year-old orphan, he cannot maintain even a girlfriend or a job. He decides to travel north to Seattle to look for his long-lost father, who he thinks he identified. Without much to lose, he surmises, “Why not?”
He arrives in the Seattle airport with his luggage lost and little resources to his name. He hitches a ride to his supposed-father’s suburb, buys a used camper, and tries to navigate life. After making a few random friendships, he ends up getting a job at the aquarium, and life begins to unfold.
In the end, he finds a girlfriend, a family, a community, and a sense of self-regard that he previously lacked – but in a non-linear way that only life can provide. The expected outcomes are lost, but the newfound ones are even better. Marcellus, of course, plays the key role of a maestro conducting the entire affair.
This is a remarkably wholesome and heartwarming tale of how life can unfold when one’s heart is followed and, after being tested, is finally trusted. It never slips into cheap literary devices but instead leads with the dignity of charity, compassion, and human life. It’s well-worth the time to read, and the audiobook is charming.
Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel
By Shelby Van Pelt
Narrated by Marin Ireland & Michael Urie
Text copyright (c) 2022
Ecco
Audio Copyright (c) 2022
Ecco
ASIN B09DTGQHKJ
Length: 11:16
Genre: Novel
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