Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel

A New York Times Bestseller * A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick

Now a Netflix Film

“Remarkably Bright Creatures [is] an ultimately feel-good but deceptively sensitive debut. . . . Memorable and tender.” —Washington Post

A charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.

When Shelby Van Pelt isn’t feeding her flash-fiction addiction, she’s juggling cats while wrangling children. Her debut novel, REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES, will be published by HarperCollins in May 2022. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she’s currently missing the mountains in the suburbs of Chicago. Find her at www.shelbyvanpelt.com, on Twitter @shelbyvanpelt, and Instagram @shelbyvanpeltwrites.

“Remarkably Bright Creatures [is] an ultimately feel-good but deceptively sensitive debut about what it feels like to have love taken from you, only to find it again in the most unexpected places. . . . Memorable and tender.” - Washington Post

“A heartwarming novel to suit any mood.” - New York Times

“Freshly-imagined. . . . An elderly woman named Tova works nights at an aquarium on the Puget Sound . . . Watching Tova from his tank is the aquarium's main attraction — a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. One night, Tova frees Marcellus from a near fatal entanglement with a power cord; in return, Marcellus silently resolves to use his knowledge of the sea and his superior memory for faces and objects to help Tova discover the truth about her son's fate…Like a noir detective, Marcellus looks the ultimate deadline of death in the eye and doesn't blink.” - Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air

“Infused with heartfelt humor, Van Pelt’s elegant portrait of a widowed woman who finds understanding and connection with a clever octopus is refreshingly, if surprisingly, relatable. Despite the unorthodox relationship at its core, the debut novel offers a wholly original meditation on grief and the bonds that keep us afloat.” - Elle

“The best books about grief find a way to illuminate the darkness of loss, and Remarkably Bright Creatures offers a masterclass." - Marie Claire

“[B]rilliant upcoming novel about hope and reckoning." - Business Insider

“ [B]eautiful novel about friendship and family.” - GoodHousekeeping.com

“As Van Pelt’s zippy, fun-to-follow prose engages at every turn, readers will find themselves rooting for the many characters, hoping that they’ll find whatever it is they seek. Each character is profoundly human, with flaws and eccentricities crafted with care. But what makes Van Pelt’s novel most charming and joyful is the tender friendship between species, and the ways Tova and Marcellus make each other ever more remarkable and bright.” - BookPage

“A debut novel about a woman who befriends an octopus is a charming, warmhearted read.” - Kirkus Reviews

"A unique and luminous book." - Booklist (starred review)

“Remarkably Bright Creatures is the rarest of feats: a book that manages to be wry and wise, charming and surprising, and features one of the most intriguing and satisfying characters I’ve encountered in fiction in a very long time—Marcellus the Octopus. I don’t know how Shelby Van Pelt managed to make this uncommon tale sing so beautifully, but sing it does, and I defy you to put it down once you’ve started.” - Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, author of Good Company and The Nest

“Shelby Van Pelt has done the impossible. She’s created a perfect story with imperfect characters, that is so heartwarming, so mysterious, and so completely absorbing, you won’t be able to put it down because when you’re not reading this book you’ll be hugging it.”

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a heartwarming novel about grief, loneliness, friendship, and the unexpected ways people find healing. Set in the quiet coastal town of Sowell Bay, Washington, the story follows three unforgettable characters whose lives become closely connected: Tova Sullivan, a widowed elderly woman; Cameron Cassmore, a drifting young man searching for his past; and Marcellus, an exceptionally intelligent giant Pacific octopus living in the local aquarium. Through their intertwined journeys, the novel explores family, forgiveness, and the idea that hope can appear in the most unlikely places.

The story centers on Tova Sullivan, who has spent much of her life carrying the weight of profound loss. Years earlier, her teenage son, Erik, mysteriously disappeared during a boating trip and was never found. The tragedy shattered her family, and although she eventually continued with her life, the pain of never knowing what happened to him has remained. Later, she also loses her husband to illness, leaving her to face old age alone. Determined to stay active and independent, Tova works as a night cleaner at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, where the quiet routine gives her a sense of purpose and helps ease the loneliness that follows her every day.

One of the aquarium's most remarkable residents is Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus nearing the end of his life. Unlike the humans around him, Marcellus narrates parts of the story with wit, intelligence, and surprising insight. Although confined to his tank, he carefully observes visitors and employees, often understanding more about their emotions and relationships than they realize themselves. He is curious about people, amused by their habits, and occasionally escapes from his enclosure to explore the aquarium after closing time before always returning unnoticed. His unique perspective adds warmth, humor, and wisdom to the novel.

Over time, Marcellus develops a quiet bond with Tova. While she initially sees him as simply another sea creature under her care, she gradually notices his extraordinary intelligence. Their silent friendship becomes one of the novel's most touching elements. Tova speaks to him during her nightly cleaning shifts, and Marcellus, in his own way, comes to care deeply about her. As he pieces together clues from conversations and observations, he begins to suspect that he knows a secret that could change Tova's life forever.

Meanwhile, the story introduces Cameron Cassmore, a young man in his thirties whose life has never gone according to plan. Raised by his aunt after being abandoned by his mother as a child, Cameron has spent years drifting from one temporary job to another without finding stability or direction. He often masks his insecurity with humor and charm, but beneath his easygoing personality lies a deep longing to understand where he came from and why he was left behind. When his latest relationship falls apart and financial troubles leave him with few options, he decides to travel to Sowell Bay in search of the father he has never met.

Cameron's arrival in the small town initially brings disappointment. His search proves far more complicated than he expected, and many of the people he meets are skeptical of his intentions. However, he slowly begins forming meaningful relationships with the town's residents. Although he often makes mistakes and struggles with responsibility, Cameron's genuine desire to uncover the truth about his family gradually earns the trust of those around him. As he spends more time in Sowell Bay, he begins to mature, discovering strengths and resilience he never knew he possessed.

As the novel progresses, subtle connections between Cameron's past and Tova's long-buried grief begin to emerge. Marcellus, with his remarkable powers of observation, recognizes clues that the human characters overlook. Unable to communicate directly, he searches for creative ways to guide them toward the truth. His determination to help Tova becomes increasingly urgent as he realizes that his own life is nearing its natural end.

The mystery surrounding Erik's disappearance remains at the heart of the story. For decades, Tova has lived without answers, believing she may never know what happened to her son. Cameron, meanwhile, searches for his own identity without realizing how closely his life may be connected to hers. As hidden truths gradually come to light, the novel carefully reveals long-kept family secrets that reshape both characters' understanding of the past.

Rather than relying on dramatic twists alone, the novel focuses on emotional growth. Tova slowly learns that healing does not require forgetting the people she has lost. Cameron discovers that family is built not only through blood but also through love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Even Marcellus experiences his own quiet journey, reflecting on freedom, mortality, and the meaning of leaving behind something valuable before his life comes to an end.

The relationships that develop throughout the novel are gentle and authentic. Neighbors support one another, unexpected friendships blossom, and isolated individuals gradually find a sense of belonging. Shelby Van Pelt portrays the small-town community with warmth, showing how ordinary acts of kindness can transform lives. The novel reminds readers that healing often happens through everyday moments rather than grand gestures.

As the story reaches its emotional conclusion, long-hidden truths are finally revealed, allowing both Tova and Cameron to confront the past with honesty. Although the revelations bring sadness, they also offer peace and the possibility of a new beginning. Marcellus plays a quiet but essential role in bringing these lives together, fulfilling his final purpose before his own journey comes to a natural end. His presence leaves a lasting impact on everyone connected to him.

Overall, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a deeply moving novel about loss, resilience, and the extraordinary connections that can form between the most unlikely companions. Shelby Van Pelt blends humor, mystery, and heartfelt emotion into a story that celebrates compassion, second chances, and the enduring power of hope. Through the unforgettable voices of Tova, Cameron, and especially the wise and observant Marcellus, the novel reminds readers that even after years of sorrow, life still holds the possibility of love, healing, and unexpected joy.