Summary of “Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel” by Shelby Van Pelt

Andrew Adams
4 min readAug 1, 2023

Introduction

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a novel by Shelby Van Pelt that tells the story of Cameron, a young man who is abandoned by his mother as a child and raised by his aunt. The novel is set in the fictional town of Sowell Bay, and it explores themes of grief, loss, friendship, and redemption.

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The Plot

Cameron is a young man who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is haunted by the abandonment of his mother, and he is constantly searching for a sense of belonging.

One day, Cameron starts working at the local aquarium. He meets Tova, a janitor who is also a former marine biologist. Tova is a kind and wise woman, and she helps Cameron to start to heal from his past.

Cameron also befriends Marcellus, an octopus who is being held at the aquarium. Marcellus is a remarkably intelligent creature, and he helps Cameron to start to see the world in a new way.

As Cameron gets to know Tova and Marcellus, he begins to heal from his past and to find a sense of belonging. He learns that it is possible to find love and acceptance, even in the most unexpected places.

Thinking of reading “Remarkably Bright Creatures”? Use my link and grab a copy!

The Characters

Cameron is the main character of the story. He is a young man who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is haunted by the abandonment of his mother, and he is constantly searching for a sense of belonging.

Tova is a janitor at the local aquarium. She is a kind and wise woman, and she helps Cameron to start to heal from his past. She is also a former marine biologist, and she has a deep understanding of the natural world.

Marcellus is an octopus who is being held at the aquarium. He is a remarkably intelligent creature, and he helps Cameron to start to see the world in a new way. He is also a symbol of hope and possibility.

The Themes

Remarkably Bright Creatures explores a number of themes, including:

  • Grief and loss. Cameron is haunted by the abandonment of his mother, and he is constantly searching for a sense of belonging. This theme is explored through Cameron’s relationship with Tova and Marcellus.
  • Friendship. Tova and Marcellus become Cameron’s friends, and they help him to start to heal from his past. This theme is explored through Cameron’s interactions with Tova and Marcellus.
  • Redemption. Cameron is able to find redemption through his friendship with Tova and Marcellus. This theme is explored through Cameron’s journey to heal from his past.

Thinking of reading “Remarkably Bright Creatures”? Use my link and grab a copy!

The Writing

Van Pelt’s writing is lyrical and evocative. She does a great job of creating a sense of place, and she brings the characters to life. The book is full of beautiful descriptions of the natural world, and it is a joy to read.

The Conclusion

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful and moving novel that explores the themes of grief, loss, friendship, and redemption. The book is full of hope and possibility, and it is a reminder that it is possible to find love and acceptance, even in the most unexpected places.

Here are some other things you can learn from the book:

  • It is possible to find love and acceptance, even in the most unexpected places. Cameron finds love and acceptance with Tova and Marcellus, who are both very different from him. This shows that it is possible to find love and acceptance with people who are not like us.
  • It is important to let go of the past and to focus on the present. Cameron is haunted by the abandonment of his mother, but he eventually learns to let go of the past and to focus on the present. This is a valuable lesson for anyone who is struggling to let go of the past.
  • It is important to find your place in the world. Cameron is searching for his place in the world, but he eventually finds it with Tova and Marcellus. This shows that it is possible to find your place in the world, even if it takes some time.

Thinking of reading “Remarkably Bright Creatures”? Use my link and grab a copy!

My Thoughts

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful and moving novel that is sure to stay with you long after you finish reading it. If you are looking for a book that will make you think and feel, then I highly recommend it.

Thinking of reading “Remarkably Bright Creatures”? Use my link and grab a copy!

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Andrew Adams

I am a Christian author, blogger, and designer. It’s my joy and passion to help people discover the beauty of a life lived with God through writing.