A novel tracing a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.
After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.
Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.
Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.
What an amazing premise for a story. I'd heard about the novel and it sounded so intriguing that I put a hold on it at my local library. But, the wait was too long, so I just ordered it!
And it did not disappoint.
Needing to keep herself busy after her husband dies, Tova begins work as the night custodian at the aquarium. She enjoys the solitude and discovers Marcellus, the giant octopus who is bored in his cage. The two become friends. And as Tova comments about her life and her grief over the loss of her son, Marcellus puts together clues. Clues from what she says, clues from what he remembers from the ocean and what he observes throughout his days at the aquarium.
We see three perspectives in this story and one of them is Marcellus. It shouldn't work as well as it does, but oh how it does.
While somewhat predictable, the story was so smoothly written that you're halfway through before you even realize you've begun. I did not want to put this down.
The small town community, busy bodies and all is portrayed so believably. The characters of Tova and Cameron and Marcellus crawl into your heart and stay there. The role that animals can play in your life and the comfort they bring is so apparent here.
I love a bit of magical realism in a story and I adored this one. I adored Marcellus.
Read 10/22
* * * * *
5/5 Stars
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