March 2026 Book Discussion - Remarkably bright creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Grace.

Grace.

Sugar Cookie : GingerScraps Praise Team {Lead}
Hi everyone! welcome to March's Book Club Discussion thread!!
This thread will remain open even after we finish reading the current book, so everyone who wants to add any opinions can do so at her leisure.
1. To avoid spoilers, remember to click on the three dots


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2. choose "inline spoiler," and start typing your text. To me it shows up like a mask icon, but as well can show like an eye with a line through it.



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As all of you know, in this thread we can discuss anything about the current book. Please feel free to share your thoughts while you are reading or whenever you want, or as you progress in your reading, it's up to you, this thread is yours, so express all what you think about the book and reading. You can write parts of the text you're reading, and that you think are important to understand the plot, comment on what you think of all what you have reading so far, whether the author is easy or difficult to understand and follow?, how the plot and characters develop to your mind?, and if there's a quote you'd like to share, please do it.

If you've already finished reading the book, these are some questions that can help to reflect on the reading (you don't have to answer them, unless you want it)

- we love Marcellus' thoughts throughout the story, he is extremely smart! would you have preferred the book to have been written solely from his perspective, or did you prefer that it was interspersed with the perspectives of the other characters?
- why do you think Tova feels so compelled to keep busy?
- were there any scenes that make you cry?
- who was your favorite character? And who was your least favorite character and why?
- after reading the novel, did it change the way you see octopuses, and large animals in captivity? yes or no, and why?
- after reading the novel, did it change your opinion of aquariums and zoos? yes or no and why?
- were there any scenes that make you laugh?
- would you like to see a film or tv adaptation based on this book? (*I heard on May 8th a film, based on this book, is gonna be released on Netflix).
- did you like the ending? Yes or no, and why? if you didn't like it, what ending would you have preferred
- would you read this book again?


Once again welcome, I hope several of you will choose to join us!
 
The chapters of this book are not set out in numbered chapters so I am not sure which chapter I am up to.
I am finding it a little confusing because of two separate stories and so far I cannot see any connection happening between the two but no doubt there will be later on ( I hope).
 
@A-M this is the second time I've read the book, I read it last year, and at first it seemed to make no sense, but as the story progresses it's like a puzzle where the pieces begin to fall into place
 
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My library has a crazy long wait time for this title, so I may have to pop in later on this one. It looks super interesting!
 
photocrazy said:
My library has a crazy long wait time for this title, so I may have to pop in later on this one. It looks super interesting!
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You are welcome to join at any time dear Alyssa, and I guess we will comment again after watching the movie that will be released on May 8th.
 
A-M said:
The chapters of this book are not set out in numbered chapters so I am not sure which chapter I am up to.
I am finding it a little confusing because of two separate stories and so far I cannot see any connection happening between the two but no doubt there will be later on ( I hope).
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Maybe we can go by page numbers or Day __ of My Captivity. I just finished reading Day 1,319, p. 96 in on my Kindle app. I'm really liking it so far!
 
I love Marcellus, and I'm saddened by what Tova has gone through, I think she keeps busy so she doesn't think too much about her loneliness, and I even think that's why she doesn't mind being alone in the aquarium, because it allows her to keep busy, there was a moment that almost make me cry, when she shows empathy for the sharks, when she tells them that she understands why they swim continuously in circles, made me see how lonely she felt. At first I thought Cameron was about 18 y.o., because of how irresponsible and needy for approval he is, but I'm glad he has a couple of friends and an aunt who loves him, I hope he finds his place in the world.
 
Well, I have read more and the two separate stories are starting to come together.
 
Anne-Marie @A-M I like how the book weaves the stories together, like pieces of a big puzzle. I haven't been able to read much lately, but I plan to make more progress during the weekend, have a nice reading dear Anne-Marie.
 
I like how Marcellus keeps track of his days in captivity, and the fact that he notices the fingerprints and compares them to keys. I like that Tova has friends, especially Ethan, who clearly has feelings for her; from what I've read, I like that Cameron and Ethan are good friends, I think Ethan sees Cameron as the son he never had
 
On the weekend, I finished this book. I was determined to finish it as I really needed to know how it would end. I was pleased with the ending.
The ending was happy and good but I think Marcellus indicated in his last bit of sharing that the bones of Erik were not far from the pier. If that was the case I really wanted to know what happened. I had hoped that Daphne would be found and she tell the whole story instead of only the indication that Erik was hit by the boom of the boat causing his death.
I think I would read another book by this author if she has written more.
 
I just checked this out as an audiobook, and wow that was a fun experience with the narrators. They really captured the essence of the characters and their emotional depth (or sarcasm) in the various parts of the story. I especially loved the narration by the octopus and its daily log. The part about his treasure collection (specifically the tooth) made me laugh. I have visited both Modesto and the Seattle area, and the author did an amazing job sharing the experience of both places. I was not impressed with Cameron at first, but am glad that he was able to turn his life around as he easily could have taken his mother's path.
 
I finished rereading it, and I'd also like to know what happened to Erick. I too was hoping they would find Daphne to solve the mystery. The character I liked most in the book was undoubtedly Marcellus, to the point that if the entire book had been written solely from the octopus's perspective, the story would have captivated me just as much. The characters that impressed me least were Cameron and Marco, actually, they acted as if they were the same age, at first, when I read about Cameron's behavior, I thought he was about 18 or 20 years old, not 30, he was too immature and impulsive for his age. I was glad he found Tova, and Ethan, who was clearly in love with her, made me wonder what happened between them, if they gave their relationship a chance.
 
I just finished Hard Left, Cut Right chapter, which ends on page 208.
Spoiler!
 
I'm listening to the audiobook, great narrators! I'm on chapter "A Rare Specimen", so about 3/4th of the way through the book. I have really enjoyed it!! I will write more once I finish :)
 
I finished the book last night. It was such a good book!! I give it 5 stars!

Spoiler!
 
Thank you so much dear Liz @lizziej for an amazing comment, I agree with you in many points, wishing you a wonderful Monday and week ahead dear lady <3
 
I finished this book yesterday - wow, I absolutely loved it. It is such a rare thing to find a story I would confidently recommend to just about anyone. I truly cannot imagine someone not connecting with it.

The characters completely stole my heart. Tova, especially, stayed with me. Her strength and quiet resilience were so beautifully written. Even after everything she has been through, she never became bitter, and that felt incredibly powerful and inspiring.

Cameron was harder to watch at times, but in a very real way. Seeing him struggle, make poor choices, and fumble through life felt honest. While he may have seemed a bit old to still be acting that way, I think the author captured that lost, uncertain phase of young adulthood so well. It made his character feel human, flawed, and ultimately hopeful. I truly believe he has a bright future ahead.

And then there is Marcellus. I absolutely loved that he was the one to describe humans as “remarkably bright creatures.” That moment completely caught me off guard and brought me to tears. I had assumed the title was referring to him - or to octopuses in general - but hearing it from his perspective, about us, was so unexpected and deeply beautiful. It shifted everything in the most touching way.

I love imagining what comes next for Tova and Cameron - holidays, everyday moments, and the simple joy of building the family they both longed for. That lingering sense of possibility made the ending feel even more meaningful. And of course Ethan, I see a budding romance with Tova and a father figure for Cameron.
I can't wait for the movie! I'm so excited!!
I can't wait the see the scene of Tova lugging Marcellus down to the ocean water and letting him free! I really loved that visual in the book :)

I give this book 5 stars!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
 
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@GingerScraps I'm eagerly awaiting the movie, and I'm sure I'll cry when I watch the scene of Tova carrying Marcellus to the ocean, same like when I read that scene, and when the octopus says goodbye to her, it made me cry, even more so knowing that Marcellus didn't have much time left, and knowing the close friendship they built, it was so touching, I wish octopuses could live for a hundred years, or at least Marcellus. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful comment dear lady, it touched my heart.
I'll come back to this thread after I watch the movie and can compare it to the book :) I can't wait for it to be released!
 
I finished the book a few weeks ago but haven't gotten around to getting back here. I don't think I would have picked this book on my own, but I did really enjoy the story. Thank you to whoever suggested it.

My favorite characters were Tova and Marcellus. I thought Cameron needed to grow up. I wondered how his story would make any sense with Tova's and Marcellus's but they did weave together very nicely. I was glad Tova and Cameron found out that they were grandson and grandmother and built a relationship together. I would enjoy seeing the movie and seeing how close it is to the story.
 
I was planning to watch it next week, but I have a little time, so I'm watching it now . So far, the plot has been changed, I only understand some aspects because I read the book; otherwise, I'd be completely lost, for starters, the movie skipped the whole argument Cameron had with his girlfriend, the time she kicked him out of the house, and the time his aunt gave him a box of his mother's belongings, instead, Cameron's mother has passed, and left him the camper as an inheritance, and there he finds the box with the photo, and his father's ring, as well isn't mentioned that his friends stopped his band before his travel in searching of his father, as well Tova's brother passed isn't mentioned, none of that is in the movie, also changed Marcellus rescue, and Tova's fall, etc.. and after a little over an hour of the movie, I'm gonna completely forget about the book and enjoy the film as a totally new story, and I don't mean to say that the movie is bad, in fact I'm enjoying it, but it didn't stay true to the book.
I finished watching the movie, and now I don't know if I liked the book or the movie more. I think there were points where the movie surpassed the book and improved it, although there were points from the book that I would have liked them to include. I really enjoyed the movie.
 
I just got home from a girls movie night at my niece’s house, and we all absolutely LOVED the movie! Three out of the six of us had read the book, but honestly every single one of us adored the film.

Oh, how I love Tova!! Sally Field did such an incredible job bringing her to life. And Marcellus looked SO good! I was honestly worried the CGI might pull me out of the story a little, but it didn’t at all.

I seriously loved every minute of it! All of the changes and differences between the book and movie totally made sense, and there were even a few things I liked better in the movie than in the book… and when does THAT ever happen?!

I’m already planning to watch it again soon. I think my dad is going to love it, so I’m hoping to watch it with him sometime this week. ❤️

And one more fun thing - my mom made all of us girls little beaded octopuses for our movie night!! They are absolutely stunning. I’ll post a photo tomorrow ❤️
 
@GingerScraps I can't wait to see the little beaded octopuses that you mom made, sounds so cute. I too loved the movie, actually I watched yesterday once again, and I love Tova too. The actors did an incredible job, I even ended up liking Cameron in the movie, even though he exasperated me in the book.
 
I read this book quite a while ago and was hoping I'd even remember it (or maybe better not to?) when I watched the movie. It quickly came back to me. Of course, having read the book is a bit of a spoiler for the movie plot, but it was so well done it doesn't matter. Marcellous was as wonderful as I wanted him to be. I thought the casting was terrific, too. I definitely enjoyed both formats and enough time has passed since I read the book that I cannot insist "the book was better" which I almost always feel is true. I am sure the success of the film "My Octopus Teacher" helped this movie get produced and will draw viewers to it as well.
I feel a lot of heartbreak when I visit a zoo or aquarium, do they deserve captivity just so I can be entertained and educated? We need to remember that M said "sometimes" humans can be remarkably bright creatures.
 
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