Page 29 - Southern Exposure - March '24

Southern Exposure, Page 29

Book revIew

Remarkably Bright Creatures

By Nils A. Shapiro

When my two wonderful When I arrived, after I mention all of the above because an octopus named
daughters, Brett and Hillary, Sy the octopus greeted Marcellus is one of the main characters in Remarkably
surprised me recently with Sy the author by raising Bright Creatures, a debut novel by Shelby Van Pelt. In her
a gift copy of this book it a tentacle out of the water acknowledgements she credits Sy Montgomery for what
was clear they remembered and wrapping it around she learned in The Soul of an Octopus.
my telling them several her waist and holding it Van Pelt’s novel is itself a remarkable achievement,
years ago about having had there for quite a while, a highly imaginative and beautifully told story of
one of the most emotional the author unwrapped the relationships, memories, sadness, family and love.
experiences of my life. tentacle, turned to me and An elderly widow in her 70s, Tova, works evenings at
I had just written a rave said, “It’s your turn, Nils.” the aquarium in her town of Sowell Bay, Wash., mopping
review for The Soul of I was taken aback for the floors and keeping the glass walls of all the exhibits
an Octopus, a nonfiction a moment, was handed a clear and clean. She genuinely cares for all the various
book that went on to climb the bestseller lists in 25 small fish that had been creatures within their enclosures and often feeds them
countries around the world. Its award-winning author, the octopus’s favorite but has a special affection for, and connection with, the
Sy Montgomery, whom I had never met before but who food, then stood and giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus, whose restless nature and
has since become a dear friend, called to thank me and looked down into the renowned intelligence is reflected in his constant successful
invited me to meet her at the New England Aquarium to tank. A tentacle arose from the water, took the fish gently escapes from his tank to explore – and sometimes devour
meet Sy, the giant Pacific octopus that had been named from my hand ... but dropped it. She was already too weak – the tasty samples from nearby other tanks. It is a secret
after her. to eat and was starving. But the tentacle came up again and that Tova does not disclose to the aquarium’s officials lest
She explained to me, however, that I would have to make slowly wrapped around my wrist! She was tasting me – she they punish her eight-legged friend. Instead, she always
the visit soon because, as her book explains, after a female could taste down to my bloodstream with any part of her catches him and returns him to his tank.
octopus lays her 100,000 eggs she instinctively immediately skin – and, having accepted me as a friend of her friend, It is a fact that, because they are gelatinous and have
rests her eight tentacles on top of them to protect them from slowly wrapped a tentacle gripping me gently, suction no bones, even octopuses whose tentacles stretch to 6 or
predators in her natural ocean habitat. From that moment on cup sucker by sucker that felt like wet velvet around my 8 feet wide are able to squeeze through holes as small as
she no longer forages for her own food and slowly, over a wrist and held me there in greeting a very long time. 1 or 2 inches wide. They have also been known to figure
period of weeks, starves to death – sacrificing her own life Soon, realizing that this was a creature as different out how to open locks.
long enough to allow her babies to be born. from a human as would be a visitor from outer space – its It is in the very special chapters throughout the book
I knew from Sy’s book that octopuses are among the mouth is in its armpit – but is at least as intelligent as a involving Marcellus’s most important place in the story
world’s most intelligent creatures, having been on this planet human in many ways, I began to choke up at the enormity that this remarkable creature contributes the narrative
for millions of years with almost no evolution because they of the experience and, with tears streaming down my face, himself, each time announcing the timing of the events
are almost perfect for their environment. They recognize spoke softly to this Sy of the sea: “Do you realize what’s taking place. His first: “Day 1,299 of My Captivity”…
individual human faces – the one I was to meet already knew happening? Do you know that you’re dying? I know it’s Marcellus had spent most of his life in the freedom of
Sy the author as a friend – and can easily solve complicated to save your babies. I wish I could help you.” After a the open ocean, before he was captured 3 1/2 years earlier
puzzles provided by the aquarium on a regular basis to while I was told it was time to leave and had to uncoil and placed in the small, boring “prison” of a tank that
prevent their becoming bored. the tentacle. It was an experience I will never forget. shortens the life of these intelligent cephalopods, and he
is now aware that his own will soon be ending.
His only friend, Tova, has grieved for many years over
the loss of her son, Erik, a high school senior who died
mysteriously several decades earlier in a case that was
officially ruled a drowning while he was in his boat at sea.
Another important character in the book, Cameron, is
introduced as a 30-year-old man raised by his Aunt Jeanne
when his mother abandoned him soon after his birth.
Following a series of employment difficulties and some
research he now believes that his natural father, whom he
has never known, has become a wealthy real estate tycoon
living in Seattle and makes plans to confront the man with
the intent of demanding some financial compensation for
all the years of parental neglect.
When the planned meeting with his assumed father is
delayed, Cameron takes a job at the Sowell Bay aquarium
temporarily replacing Tova when she is injured, and the
two gradually form a genuine friendship.
While in Sowell Bay, Cameron begins to develop a
relationship with a young woman, Avery – and author Van
Pelt adds to the cast of characters Ethan, owner of the local
market. All are interesting and worth getting to know.
But it is Marcellus who, with his intelligence, intuitive
understanding and scientifically accurate physical skills
ultimately brings together all of the complex strands of this
book’s imaginative story line to a satisfying, yet magical,
conclusion.
As for me, it was after I had read page 250 of this
book’s 355 pages, at a special moment in the narrative,
that I put the book down and, feeling all choked up, with
the memory of my own earlier experience, called both my
daughters and thanked them for their very thoughtful gift.
I suspect you will want to thank me for sharing this
wonderful book with you.

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