My heart…
This is a sublime book, and lends itself well to an audio edition. The narrators, Marin Ireland and Michael Urie are perfect. Particularly Urie who voices Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus.

Tova Sullivan works as the night cleaner at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Her husband has recently died, and her eighteen year old son, Eric, mysteriously vanished on a boat over thirty years ago. Tova’s mantle of grief is heavy, and she finds solace in her job amongst the sea creatures. She speaks to them all, acknowledging them as she cleans their glass tanks.

Tova and Marcellus begin to form an understanding, and as their friendship develops, Marcellus starts to unravel the mystery surrounding Eric’s disappearance. Do not be deterred by the strangeness of one of the main protagonists being an octopus; trust me, it works.

It would be a hard heart that is not moved by this beautiful story about grief, unrequited love, friendship, mortality and the legacy we leave.

My favourite fiction book for 2023!