A review of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Summary
This story blends themes of loneliness, loss, and connection, following three characters whose lives are about to change without their realizing it. Cameron is a thirty-something man trying to make something of his life while searching for the father he never knew; Tova is a woman in her seventies trying to salvage what’s left of her life after losing everyone she cared about; and Marcellus is a sarcastic, fed-up octopus observing the messiness of humans from his aquarium tank. All of this unfolds alongside a decades-old mystery that still haunts the small town at the center of the book.
Rating
Back Shelf Niche appeal: cozy, neat-bow storytelling that will resonate strongly with certain readers but not all.
Initial Reaction
I expected a heavy, emotional read, so that Reddit line calling it “basically a Hallmark movie” threw me. After reading it, I understood the comparison — but it would be a disservice to leave it at that, because this book is more interesting than that headline suggests.
3 Things I Liked
- The characters are genuinely interesting Cameron trying to piece together a life that feels like it’s slipping from him, Tova grappling with aging and being the last of her family, and Marcellus questioning whether this is all there is to life behind an aquarium tank. They each bring something distinct.
- The decades-old mystery works It adds intrigue and keeps the story grounded in something bigger than everyday life.
- Marcellus steals the show His sharp observations, sarcasm, and brutal honesty about humans made his chapters the ones I was always excited to read.
3 Things I Didn’t Like
- Uneven character depth We get a rich backstory for Tova, but not nearly enough for Cameron, especially considering how much of his life is shaped by his mother’s addiction. Marcellus is all inner monologue, which works, but the imbalance among the three stood out.
- Inconsistent pacing The first four-fifths of the book are heavy on world-building, and then everything suddenly speeds up. The ending ties things up in a neat bow, but it feels rushed compared to the slow build.
- Missed emotional opportunities The characters come to their realizations too quickly at the end. Spending more time with those moments would have made the payoff stronger.
Who Should Read This?
Readers who want something cozy, comforting, and neatly wrapped up. Anyone who enjoys multi-POV stories with quirky characters, especially if you love an animal POV done well.
Who Should Skip It?
Readers looking for something heavier, more emotionally layered, or more evenly paced. If you don’t enjoy Hallmark-style endings or tidy resolutions, this probably won’t hit the mark.
Final Thoughts
This is a cozy book with an ending that lands exactly where you expect it to. Sometimes that’s what you want: a clean, comforting resolution when real life feels messy. For me, it’s a 2 out of 5, but if “cozy with a bow” is your thing, you might really enjoy it.
No Skim Zone 
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