Who is this book for?
- Readers who enjoy heartwarming, feel-good stories with a touch of whimsy are likely to appreciate this book.
- It would appeal to fans of uplifting fiction that explores themes of friendship, community, and overcoming grief.
- Those who liked books by Fredrik Backman or other character-driven, small-town narratives would probably enjoy the gentle pacing and focus on relationships.
- Animal lovers, especially those fascinated by octopuses, would find the unique perspective of Marcellus engaging.
- Readers seeking a light, comforting read with a bit of mystery and a coastal setting would find this book satisfying.
Who is unlikely to appreciate this book?
- Readers looking for complex literary fiction or those who prefer fast-paced, plot-driven narratives might find this book too slow or predictable.
- Those who dislike anthropomorphized animals or find the concept of an octopus narrator too fanciful may struggle with the premise.
- Readers expecting a deep exploration of marine life or animal intelligence might be disappointed by the limited focus on these themes.
- Critics of overly sentimental or formulaic storytelling may find the book too saccharine or simplistic.
- Lastly, those who require highly developed, realistic characters throughout might be frustrated by some of the secondary character portrayals, particularly Cameron's.
Things online reviewers enjoyed about this book
- Engaging and well-written prose with memorable sentences
- Complex and relatable character development, especially for Tova and Marcellus
- Unique and delightful octopus point-of-view chapters
- Heartwarming story of friendship and connection
- Intricate and well-thought-out plot that keeps readers invested
- Sensitive depiction of grief, loss, and aging
- Charming small-town coastal setting
- Humorous and witty moments, especially from Marcellus
- Exploration of themes like family, community, and moving on
- Audiobook narration praised as excellent
Things people didn't like as much about this book
- Predictable plot that some readers found too slow-paced
- Cameron's character viewed as annoying and underdeveloped by some
- Not enough octopus chapters for some readers' tastes
- Writing style considered simplistic or middle-grade level by some
- Lack of deeper exploration of themes like captivity or animal intelligence
- Heavy-handed foreshadowing and clues
- Overuse of vague words like "some" in descriptions
- Unrealistic character development for Cameron
- Ending felt unsatisfying or forced to some readers
- Lack of complex themes for adult readers
