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Remarkably Bright Creatures

By: Shelby Van Pelt
Narrated by: Marin Ireland, Michael Urie
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Publisher's summary

A New York Times Bestseller!

A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful examination of how loneliness can be transformed, cracked open, with the slightest touch from another living thing.” -- Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See Here

For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively listenable 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.

©2022 Shelby Van Pelt (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers
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Critic reviews

"This fantastical debut audiobook will enchant listeners. Gifted vocal artist Marin Ireland portrays Tova, a 70-year-old widow with a heart of gold whose teenage son died under mysterious circumstances 30 years earlier. Ireland's encouraging tones suit Tova, whose compassion touches everyone, and every creature, in her small Washington town.... A fanciful and enjoyable listening experience." (AudioFile)

Featured Article: Best of the Year—The 13 Best Debuts of 2022


Looking back, it is hard to ignore the impact made by so many debut novelists in distinguishing 2022’s listening scene. We feel the untapped magic and momentum that radiate from debut novels often generate the buzz that defines a year and creates its most electric literary moments. Ranging from brooding, stormy stories to bubbly, heartfelt listens, these fresh voices each uniquely made a big splash in 2022.

Editorial Review

Michael Urie for octopus teacher of the year
Instead of adopting a pandemic puppy, I set up a quarantine fish tank. So, believe me when I say: hearing Michael Urie voice a cephalopod (for at least his second time!) makes scraping algae off glass way more fun. From distant mothers and anonymous fathers to deceased husbands and lost sons, Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel revolves around absence, as its humans (all brilliantly voiced by Marin Ireland) take solace in the routines that keep the Sowell Bay aquarium afloat. But it’s Marcellus, with his eight tentacled arms and advanced intelligence, who connects the dots in their stories. As he observes, the sea keeps secrets, "but humans struggle to use their words to tell each other what they truly desire." Caring for my tank always leaves me refreshed, so I’m certain my fish have wisdom to share with me too. — Haley H.

What listeners say about Remarkably Bright Creatures

Average customer ratings
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My favorite listen this year

Absolutely wonderful! The narrators are fantastic, the story is engaging and it is impossible not to fall in love with the cast of characters.

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44 people found this helpful

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Remarkably bright!

The title sums up the entire audiobook. This is one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to in years.

I’ve had it on my to-listen list for a while, but something about the description failed to grab me. I think I was afraid it would be too fantastical, hokey or sentimental.

Instead, I was delighted to find myself laughing out loud at the sharp references to everything from music to tech to screwed up human relationships and surprised to find myself captivated and tearing up a couple of times.

Turns out that relationships between a cranky octopus, some broken and quietly resilient people could be so remarkably bright?

Marin Ireland is the best audiobook narrator working today and with the added (considerable) talents of Michael Urie, I expect this recording to be nominated for all the awards.

I listen to at least 6-8 books a month and this one will be hard to top. Highest recommendations.

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11 people found this helpful

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Noone could give this less

If you cant like this five stars worth, you have list your last drop of really human blood.

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5 people found this helpful

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Charming.

Remarkably charming. I laughed, I cried, I *considered* having children. This story, though a bit predictable, tied characters together beautifully. The narration was impeccable.

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5 people found this helpful

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An amazing rare gem of a story!

Loved how the multi narration brought the Parallel story lines together. The voices were perfectly matched with the characters.
What a

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4 people found this helpful

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Loved this book!

Great book. Couldn’t stop listening. Loved the narrators. Creative, heartwarming, and uplifting story. I wish there were more books like this.

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4 people found this helpful

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Thoroughly enjoyable story!

First few chapters were hard to get into the book but once the story unfolded more I couldn’t wait to get back in the car to listen to it some more!! Even my 10 year old enjoyed listening to the story with me.

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3 people found this helpful

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I’m in Love

I’m 72 years old, have always loved books since childhood. I just never imagined I would fall in love with an octopus. What a lovely, inspiring story. Live On Marcellus!❤️

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3 people found this helpful

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Why did it take me so long?

How could a novel about an octopus be compelling? Well, 35k readers must know something.
And now I do, too.
It was simply wonderful.

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3 people found this helpful

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Lovely!

A sweet story; a wonderful respite from the maddening world. Brings old and young together.

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2 people found this helpful