This debut novel set in small-town America is not always a 100% tone perfect read, but it is definitely worth checking out. It’s exuberant and joyful, yet also hits hard when it comes to navigating grief in relationships. It’s surprising and inventive, weaving human emotions and fates with magical realist octopus musings.
There’s some really interesting characters in this book and a pretty emotional yet also non-soppy story about a mother (Tova) who has lost her child and still wants answers, despite it all happening decades ago.
Tova is of Swedish descent and the other protagonist is Cameron who ends up crossing paths with Tova in the local aquarium. He’s a pretty lost young man, difficult to like at times, yet ultimately redeemable.
A whole host of ancillary characters join the two protagonists in what feels like a very fleshed-out world.
Another important facet of this book is that there’s an octopus in it called Marcellus who has a pretty big role to play! Living in the aquarium, interacting with both Cameron and Tova, Marcellus’s musings on humans are some of my favourite bits.
The book picks up speed and ends up as bit of a mystery/detective narrative as well. It’s a versatile read.
One word: elucidating.
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