2023/002: Remarkably Bright Creatures — Shelby Van Pelt

“Marcellus is your friend.”
“Yes, I suppose he is.”
“When you went up there to save him, you weren’t afraid of him at all.”
Tova clicks her tongue. “Certainly not! He’s gentle.” [loc. 2575]

Tova is seventy, and works as a cleaner at Sowell Bay Aquarium. Thirty years ago, her son Erik disappeared without trace. More recently her husband died, and Tova is very aware that she's alone, with no family to care for her when old age makes life more difficult. She does have friends: a group of women who call themselves the Knit-Wits, and Ethan, the owner of the local store. And Marcellus, of course. Marcellus is a giant Pacific octopus who lives at the aquarium, and who bonded with Tova after she rescued him during one of his out-of-tank excursions.

One night, Tova has a fall, and is unable to work for a while. Fortuitously, young drifter Cameron Cassmore has just come to town: Ethan, who's befriended him, helps him apply for the temporary role of cleaner, and he and Tova get to know one another. Cameron is not a likeable character at the outset -- a man of poor decisions and rich in self-justification, if nothing else, he's come to Sowell Bay to find his biological father, from whom he hopes to extract some financial support. But Ethan and Tova, between them, are stabilising influences, and soon Cameron becomes more likeable, more altruistic and less mercenary, saving money to repay a loan from his aunt, getting acquainted with Marcellus, relaxing into this new life.

Marcellus is the most intriguing of the three narrative voices. He's capable of reading the plaque by his tank, and he knows he is nearing the end of his life-span. He's established just how long he can be out of his tank (18 minutes) before he experiences The Consequences. And he has some other intriguing (and scientifically attested) talents, including the ability to recognise humans by gait, and to make fine distinctions between objects. He understands Tova when she speaks to him, and he understands her grief for her lost son. And when connections are needed, Marcellus makes them. His friendship with Tova is an absolute delight. (I note that Shelby van Pelt has also written short SFF, and wonder if that mindset helped her create Marcellus' vivid character.)

In some respects the story is predictable: but that does not make it any less cheering. Remarkably Bright Creatures is a story about resistance to change, about ageing, and about connections, with happy endings all round -- even for Marcellus. It's full of hope and devoid of cruelty, and I need more of that.

Fulfils the ‘has an epilogue’ rubric of the 52 books in 2023 challenge.