All the Bright Places // Book Review
Today I finished reading All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven.
I had heard so many amazing things about this book, so I had to read it. And I am so glad that I did.
Goodreads Synopsis:
'The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister's death.
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it's unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the "natural wonders" of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It's only with Violet that Finch can be himself - a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who's not such a freak after all.
And it's only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them.
But as Violet's world grows, Finch's begins to shrink.'
My review:
This isn't the type of story that I would usually go for. I prefer happy stories with an interesting plot twist. Whereas with this book, you know from page one what type of story it's going to be.
Now, don't let that put you off. Although this book is based on a difficult mental illness and at times is quiet saddening, it is also such a magical book that can teach you many things.
Theodore Finch is a teenage boy that, since a young age, always wondered what death would be like. He has never experienced a 'perfect day' and doesn't feel a need to keep living. Until he meets Violet.
Violet Markey attends the same school as Finch, they have the same U.S Geography class. Violet is broken. Her sister died in a horrific car crash and she feels responsible. She hides away, scared of attention.
It's when Violet and Finch meet - both ready to end their short lives - that they realise there may be a light at the end of the very long, dark tunnel.
Their story is one I won't forget.
Violet learns how to live her life from the help of a guy that is ready to end his.
This is a beautifully written love story, you really get to know the characters.
It's one of those stories where you feel like you are there, living with the characters.
That's a sign of a great book.
The chapters alternative between Violet and Finch's point of views, which I enjoyed as I felt it helped to make the story go faster and kept the suspense going.
Although I predicted the ending early on, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading magical love stories and are open to learning more about the struggles that some people go through with mental illnesses.
I have given this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
~
I hope you enjoyed this review!
If you have read this book, let me know what you thought of it in the comments below!
Speak soon,
Em x
