What stood out about other people talking about this book, before I paid any attention to it, was the amount of people who said “I will never eat octopus again”. Specifically because of Marcellus, the Giant Pacific octopus, a main character in this novel. Now, the film will be released later this year and I think it will be popular. For those keen to read the book before the film is out, the audiobook might just be the answer for you.
I listened to it as an audiobook, which I think is possibly the best way to inhale this novel, its another masterful narration. This time by Marin Ireland and Michael Urie who both do a splendid job in the characterisation.

Marcellus, is dry, wry and a little superior which makes him funny and yet so intelligent and observant that we begin to develop a huge empathy and understanding of him. And he’s funny. If that voice hadn’t worked, the whole book would have been in trouble. But it does work. He’s lived a life, he has a history and memories, he’s a bit weary of humans, which feels fair enough. So like any other character we begin to have feelings and opinions about him.

There isn’t a huge plot engine driving this. Things unfold and focus on relationships and how the characters are entangled, beginning to understand them and their individual stories and how they weave together at times. Some threads come together in ways you can see coming a mile off and that’s ok, others not so much.  What it does well is hold your attention without forcing it. I kept putting it on, drawn to find out what would happen next, when would Tova discover what I was sure I had guessed at – or did I get it wrong?

The narration is well judged. No overacting, no pushing for emotion. Marcellus in particular could have been overdone and thankfully isn’t. It becomes easy to see why people don’t want to eat octopus anymore as we learn more about him.

It’s beautifully done and an enjoyable, not too heavy-duty listen. I wish I’d been more aware of how appropriate it would be for a long car ride. I could have shared with my family. The youngest I now thirteen and I think he would have been fine with this. It’s perhaps a little slow paced but the content is ok with vague sex and alcohol references, but nothing I think a teen wouldn’t already know. I probably wouldn’t go below age twelve for this one

Available in paperback, audiobook – for which I would certainly recommend a trial of Audible – it’s cheaper and a great way to access other outstanding novels on the go. Hardback, or Kindle.

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