Shelby Van Pelt has created a memorable character with her Marcellus, a cranky old octopus living in a small aquarium in a run-down town on the Puget Sound in Remarkably Bright Creatures (#1,072). He mostly doesn't like people, but the elderly lady who comes in after hours to clean is an exception. Tova takes care cleaning the windows of the tanks, and she talks to the creatures within.
Both Marcellus and Tova are startled one night when she comes across the octopus outside his tank, entangled in some wires. She helps free him, and ensures he makes it back safely into his tank. She also doesn't rat him out to the Aquarium Director. Marcellus is willing to repay that act of kindness.
The friendship that develops between these two is quite remarkable, as the narrative switches back and forth between the characters, including Marcellus himself. Suffice it to say that Marcellus is key to unraveling a mystery of the past in his desire to repay Tova for her kindness.
I thoroughly enjoyed this offbeat story. My only objection was that as the story progressed, Ms. Van Pelt concentrated more on her human characters, as Marcellus was pushed more into the background. I really, really wanted more Marcellus! His voice was so astringent and witty, I wanted to read more of his observations on the human condition. That was my biggest nitpick with this book. Her character development was so strong I wish she had pushed it even further. You'll have to read it for yourself to see what you think.
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