Remarkably Bright CreaturesRemarkably Bright Creatures
What it's about
Since her husband died, seventy-year-old Tova Sullivan has worked the night shift cleaning the Sowell Bay Aquarium, and she's been grieving for much longer: her eighteen-year-old son vanished on a boat in Puget Sound more than thirty years ago. At the aquarium she forms an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a grumpy, brilliant giant Pacific octopus who knows more than any human about what happened that night. Meanwhile, a lost young man named Cameron arrives in town searching for his father.
Why it's worth reading
It's charming, funny and full of heart, and Marcellus, who narrates some chapters himself, is one of the most beloved characters in recent fiction. It's a comfort read with real emotional depth.
You'll love it if you liked
The Correspondent
Lessons in Chemistry
Tom LakeGood to know
Yes, the octopus narrates some chapters, and readers adore him. It's gentle, about 360 pages, with a mystery that pays off.
By the numbers
- Readers88 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller78 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz77 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #5 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #8 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #13 of the 481 new books we rank
- #77 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Moving, Thought-provoking
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Quick answers
Is Remarkably Bright Creatures worth reading?
Yes. It's charming, funny and full of heart, and Marcellus, who narrates some chapters himself, is one of the most beloved characters in recent fiction. It ranks #77 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 87.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Remarkably Bright Creatures about?
Since her husband died, seventy-year-old Tova Sullivan has worked the night shift cleaning the Sowell Bay Aquarium, and she's been grieving for much longer: her eighteen-year-old son vanished on a boat in Puget Sound more than thirty years ago. At the aquarium she forms an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a grumpy, brilliant giant Pacific octopus who knows more than any human about what happened that night. Meanwhile, a lost young man named Cameron arrives in town searching for his father.
How long does it take to read Remarkably Bright Creatures?
About 9 hours (360 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Remarkably Bright Creatures?
If you liked it, try The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus or Tom Lake by Ann Patchett.