Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is based on an interesting premise: the internal thoughts of a giant Pacific octopus called Marcellus who is held - more or less - in captivity in a West Coast aquarium. Marcellus is not only bright; he is wise, able to reason, solve puzzles, and understand the history of humans by reading their fingerprints and appreciating human nature.
After Marcellus introduces himself to the reader, the stories of two disparate people in different places begins - one an older woman, Tova Sullivan, who cleans and maintains the aquarium and a young man, Cameron Cassmore, in California who is fumbling with the direction of his life as a part-time musician and professional reprobate. Three interesting and fun storylines that seem impossible to bring together. And yet …
Cameron finds a photo and a class ring and concludes that it is a picture of his father, a rich real estate developer in Washington. He sets off to claim what he believes will be his inheritance.
There are several unlikely coincidences that make the story work, but the humor and original premise are enough to push the reader through what Coleridge called, “the willing suspension of disbelief”. Van Pelt leaves clues to how the pieces will all fit together, guided by the wisdom of Marcellus.
The tale is told in the present tense, which I usually find disturbing, but the style of the writing buries well enough to make it disappear and have the events feel more immediate. The telling also rocks back and forth between the various story lines which fits that structure well.
There are pleasant side notes that add color like Cameron’s lost luggage that travels internationally on its own, the priceless T-shirt that Tova uses to clean a kitchen, and the cat that wanders into her life. The story is enriched by some tragic elements, such as Tova's lost son and Cameron’s desperate search for his father.
It is a well-written first novel that adds light to a cruel world.
The movie version starring Sally Field is due out on Netflix early in 2026