An unlikely friendship between a grieving widow and a very observant giant Pacific octopus anchors one of the most beloved feel-good novels of recent years. Tender, funny, and quietly moving, it’s a story about loneliness, second chances, and the connections we don’t see coming. If you’ve been meaning to try it on audio, this is your sign.
Get the Remarkably Bright Creatures Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printWhat Remarkably Bright Creatures is about
Remarkably Bright Creatures follows Tova Sullivan, a widow who works the night shift cleaning a small-town aquarium on the Puget Sound. There she forms a surprising bond with Marcellus, a perceptive giant Pacific octopus who notices far more about the people around him than anyone realizes. As Tova quietly carries an old grief, lives in the town begin to intersect in ways that gradually draw long-buried questions toward the light.
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel weaves several perspectives, including Marcellus’s own wry observations, into a warm, character-driven story. It’s gentle rather than fast-paced, leaning into themes of loss, resilience, and human connection while keeping a current of humor running underneath. The result is the kind of uplifting literary fiction that readers tend to finish feeling a little more hopeful than when they began.
| Author | Shelby Van Pelt |
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Why Remarkably Bright Creatures is great on audio
The multiple-perspective structure works beautifully in audio, where distinct voices help separate Tova’s chapters from Marcellus’s dryly funny inner monologue. The octopus’s commentary, in particular, lands with extra charm when performed aloud. It’s an easygoing, immersive listen well suited to commutes, walks, or unwinding at the end of the day.
Who should listen
Listeners who love warm, character-driven stories about ordinary people, found connection, and a touch of whimsy will feel right at home here. It’s a great pick if you enjoy gentle, emotionally satisfying literary fiction with a hopeful streak. Those who prefer plot-heavy thrillers or fast, high-tension pacing may find it too quiet for their taste.
If you like Remarkably Bright Creatures, listen to these next
- Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
- The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
How to listen to Remarkably Bright Creatures
Remarkably Bright Creatures is available on Audible and Amazon. If you’re new to Audible you can listen with a free trial, or buy the audiobook (also in Kindle and print) on Amazon.
Get the Remarkably Bright Creatures Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printFrequently asked questions
How can I listen to the Remarkably Bright Creatures audiobook?
The Remarkably Bright Creatures audiobook is available on Audible and Amazon. New Audible members can start with a free trial, and you can also buy the title outright on Amazon if you’d rather own it directly.
Is Remarkably Bright Creatures part of a series?
No. It is Shelby Van Pelt’s standalone debut novel, so you can enjoy it on its own without needing to read or listen to anything else first.
Is the audiobook spoiler-free to start, and is the story heavy or uplifting?
You can dive in without any prior knowledge. While it touches on grief and loss, the overall tone is warm, gently humorous, and ultimately uplifting rather than bleak.
Is it told from the octopus’s point of view?
Partly. The novel moves between several human characters and includes chapters from Marcellus the octopus’s perspective, whose wry observations are one of the book’s most memorable features.