Hi all,
Today I’m back with another YA book review. I read All The Bright Places in March, finding it quite real and confronting. It raised some very important themes of teenage suicide and depression that aren’t discussed enough in adolescent fiction. As the title promises, it will be 100% spoiler-free, so don’t be afraid to read on.
THE PLOT
Violet Markey has just lost her sister in a car accident. She survived but Eleanor didn’t. Theodore Finch suffers from depression due to a difficult family life. The pair meet on top of the school bell tower, where they had both been planning to jump and so their story begins. As their relationship develops, Violet finds more and more reasons to live, whilst Finch (as he’s referred to in the novel) is pulled deeper into his sadness. During their school year, they are set an assignment that requires them to explore beautiful places in Indiana. Violet & Finch partner up; going on epic road-trips together, writing in their journals about what they find and leaving little tokens as they go. Along the way, you learn more about the inner-workings of Finch’s mind, as well as his resentment towards his angry father. Violet on the other hand, used to co-write with her sister on a teenage website they set up together. After Eleanor’s death, she creates a new website (Germ Magazine), where any and all teenagers can contribute articles about life, love and inspiration. Jennifer Niven actually set up a real Germ Magazine, featuring all of these things and more. I found some of the posts on there really helpful. Click here to check it out.
THE CHARACTERS
Violet Markey: Violet is described as quite beautiful – somebody that is part of the cool clique at school. After her sister’s death, she refuses to drive or go in the car with anybody. She is a detailed writer, with a passion for real teenage issues. When she meets Finch, she is very withdrawn and embarrassed to be seen with him. You will understand why in a moment. There was quite a lot of character development with Violet. You get to witness her slow transformation from broken to healing. I didn’t find her quite as interesting as Finch, but she grew the most out of the two.
Theodore Finch: Finch is one of my literary crushes. He is quirky, poetic and a lover of music. He frequently changes his persona to keep life interesting and to serve as a distraction from reality. For example, for a period in the book, he is ’80’s Finch‘ that listens to music of that era and dresses to suit the time. One of his most admirable qualities is his lack of care for what people think of him. He flaunts these varying identities at school, which is why Violet feels self-conscious in his company. Finch is a hopeless romantic. His love for Violet is evident in the way he fights to be near her at all times. Even though his world is falling apart around him, he makes her happiness his priority and does what he can to protect her from the darkness.
FYI: There are many more characters in this novel but for the purposes of this post, I thought it best to focus on our two protagonists.
THE WRITING STYLE
This novel is written from the perspective of both Violet and Finch. It is wonderfully descriptive and heartbreaking at the same time. At one point, Finch lists all of the reasons why he should be happy and grateful but his depression won’t allow it. The writing is real and raw. I believe Jennifer Niven captured the plight of depression and hopelessness really well. It shed light on very serious issues, like suicide, grief and mental-illness. I believe anybody, suffering or not, should read this book. Despite the dark themes, this story is also quite light, funny and full of silver-linings. The adventures Violet and Finch share throughout Indiana, made me want to explore my own corner of the world.
“IT’S NOT WHAT YOU TAKE, IT’S WHAT YOU LEAVE…”
STAR RATING
5/5!
This book made me cry and laugh. It was incredibly touching and one I would recommend (check trigger-warnings first). It is aptly named ‘All the Bright Places’ because in my interpretation, light can be always be found in the darkness. I particularly loved the way Jennifer created a love story about two teenagers that really needed one another in the saddest time of their lives. Please check it out. You will not be disappointed. Also, the film adaptation will be released in 2018, starring Elle Fanning as Violet. I am very excited to see it.
Click here to purchase a copy.
Let me know in the comments below if you have read the book or want to read it. Did you love it? Why or why not? I welcome your thoughts.
Peace & Love xoxo