From the Bookshelf of Mark Twain House's Reading Challenge …

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt

Finish date: September 12, 2023

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What Members Thought

Nov 30, 2025 MC Evans rated it it was ok

Really wish this was more about how smart octopuses are or Tova x Marcellus more instead of Marcellus just being a tool to push the plot forward. Also a solid chunk of the writing here was cringe-worthy (Anything Cameron said. Ex. “Bicep day’s been lit at the gym lately.” Felt like YA fiction in a bad way)

It tied up in a bow nicely so I’m not docking any more stars but expected more from this tbh

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Aug 06, 2023 Janet Smith rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-mark-twain-reads

An elderly lady dealing with a 30 year old loss, a young man searching for a father he’s never met, and an octopus who has made the most of his life in captivity. A simply charming debut novel. Can’t wait to see what her next novel will be about.

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Aug 05, 2022 Nancy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: lib-kindle, my-favorites

I don’t enjoy books with magical elements; I have a hard time suspending reality. So when I saw reviews that focused on the octopus I nearly cancelled my library book hold. But the book arrived so I began to read.

To be specific I began to read one of my favorite books in a long time. This incredible novel is the story of Cameron who was raised by his aunt after having been abandoned. He’s not living his best life as an adult. It’s also the story of Tova, a widow who lost her son tragically many ...more

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