Try free for 30 days

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Remarkably Bright Creatures cover art

Remarkably Bright Creatures

By: Shelby Van Pelt
Narrated by: Marin Ireland, Michael Urie
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $24.31

Buy Now for $24.31

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Bloomsbury presents Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, read by Marin Ireland and Michael Urie.

Good Housekeeping Best Books of 2022

Glamour Best Books of 2022

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night cleaner shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Ever since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat over thirty years ago, keeping busy has helped her cope. One night she meets Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium who sees everything, 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 body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late...

Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a 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 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic Reviews

"Truly original and touching." (Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient)

"A beautiful examination of how loneliness can be transformed, cracked open, with the slightest touch from another living thing. Shelby Van Pelt makes good on this wild conceit, somehow making me love a misanthropic octopus, but her writing is so finely tuned that it's a natural element of a larger story about family, about loss and the electricity of something found." (Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See Here)

"I defy you to put it down once you’ve started." (Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, author of The Nest)

What listeners say about Remarkably Bright Creatures

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    234
  • 4 Stars
    53
  • 3 Stars
    16
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    242
  • 4 Stars
    34
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    219
  • 4 Stars
    51
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heart-warming

Such a lovely story. Beautifully narrated. Gave me some warm fuzzy feels. Would love to read more from this author

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Remarkably rich and rewarding

Didn’t want this book to end.
Despite the plot/storyline being reasonable predictable it did not even for a moment take away from the desire to know and look forward to what was coming next. I loved it so much. Nostalgic, captivating, intriguing, exciting, fulfilling and heart-warming. Enjoyed listening to it immensely. Performances
were spot on.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Feel good read.

Delightfully read, the characters come to life with Marin and Michael reading. Story is predictable, but gorgeous. I really didn’t want it to end.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable listen

A lovely narration and story. Not too predictable and a very satisfying ending. Loved Marcelus

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly enjoyable

I wasn’t sure what to expect but the story slowly drew me in. The characters were fantastic and I became quite invested in each of their stories.
The direction of the story was predictable but it only made it more enjoyable as I impatiently anticipated their reactions. I so much wanted happy endings all round. What a lovely story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

More Marcellus 🐙

I enjoyed this story. The first chapter really drew me in.. then it was a slow burn. Predictable in parts but still a decent story with relatable characters. I wish Marcellus had a bigger part, or more of the story was told from his perspective, but I can appreciate that was because that side of the plot was kept light. An unusual listen for me but was nice to break out of my typical habits.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great listen!

I loved this - storyline & performances were fabulous and I just had to keep listening…. Wish I’d taken my time, now that I’m done!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Jo
  • 03-08-2023

A beautiful tale

I loved Marcellus’s character. I never thought I would love an octopus but his droll and intelligent observations were irresistible - “the sea horses are at it again…”.

The narration:

The Scottish accent could have been tweaked but it’s always tricky and other than that, the narrators were outstanding.

I got lost in this story. I hope you do too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartwarming Page-turner

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a truly beautiful and un-put-downable story of friendship, family, life, loss, and love. I didn't want this story to end thanks Shelby Van Pelt's perfectly imperfect and endearing characters, who felt like old friends.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great read

Lovely story love how the octopus was woven throughout with hidden meanings a real feel good read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.