All the Bright Places is a young adult fiction book written by Jennifer Niven. I have one word I have to describe the book; heartbreaking! Although, I don’t want this to put you off; it has become one of my favourite books. I hate to say that the book has changed me, everybody says that about certain books, but I can honestly hold my hands up and say that this book has made me think so deeply about life and the certain issues explored. It is such a strong and heavy themed book which has been written beautifully about such sensitive topics. I highly recommend that everyone should read this book in their lifetime. It. Is. Amazing.
The main theme explored in the book is Mental illness which both main characters suffer from, but in different ways. Mental illness is such a sensitive topic in real life which isnt really spoken about to most people’s horror. It is something real people deal with on a daily basis and this book shows just how powerful the effects of mental health can be; its portrayed in such a clever way. It’s makes you think and realise just what people go through. Another strong theme in this book is Friendship and Romance. The relationship that develops between the two main characters is magical but real. There is also a strong sense of friendship through the two main characters friendship groups too. Family is also a topic touched beautifully in the book. The contradiction between both characters families is so incredibly different, showing how families can be both caring and cruel. There is a huge sense of identity explored too, but I won’t ruin this one for you. The book touches upon other important themes to fit the genre, but you’ll have to read the book to find out more! It is an incredibly strong book, with a very powerful message.
Violet Markey has lost her sister in a tragic accident and she tries to end her own life on top of the bell tower where she first meets Theodore Finch, a very troubled boy who is also contemplating death. They decide to be partners in a geography project and travel around Indiana together visiting the most magnificent places. They are faced with difficult circumstances towards the end and there’s a massive shock ending, which I do not want to spoil!
“The story of a girl who learns to live for a boy who wants to die”
This really was a book that kept you guessing, I couldn’t possibly think what was going to happen next, it just kept on surprising me. The huge shock at the end was something that I never expected either, it’s really not what you expect from a book, I wont say anymore! All I will say is that it is a truely amazing story about two fascinating characters.
Although there are repeated characters that pop up now and again in this book, it concentrates mainly on the lives of Theodore Finch and Violet Markey. The book uses a point of view writing style with each chapter alternating between the two main characters viewpoints of each day. This fits perfectly with the solid themes of the book as we are reading all about their personal views and are experiencing their feelings directly. I personally loved this aspect of the book, it was much more enjoyable and made it a lot easier to follow the story. A very interesting way to approach writing a book in my opinion.
Theodore Finch is such a puzzling yet fascinating, unique character. I loved his character because he is not like your ordinary main character that you can fully relate too. He was so hard to understand at times and you didn’t know what was going to come from him next. He is a very troubled young man but that’s all I want to tell you. He is possibly one of my favourite ever book characters. Violet Markey was completely different, a completely different personality. She was a lot easier to understand and relate to as she is the typical female book character. However, with what she goes through in the story, there are a few hidden sides to the character. Another great character, that I loved reading the thoughts off. I fully connected with her too because of her love to write. Their relationship in the book is what made the story so fulfilling but eventually truly heartbreaking.
I absolutely loved the travel aspect of the book, I envied all the different places they visited and wanted to go myself. I thought it was a great way to show the developing relationship between the two characters. It was a very thoughtful story with so many different places included, such romantic and playful places too. The setting is always a really important part of a book for me and this was one of the best situated stories I have ever read. I just loved everything about the story.
I think you can tell by now that I really really loved this book. I could have written so much more about it but I didn’t want to bore you too much ha! The emotions I experienced throughout this book was unreal. There were lovely, light hearted chapters but also very morbid and tense ones that really affected me. I’ve laughed and I’ve cried like a baby! Certain scenes stood out massively to me, and I don’t think I will ever forgot them, they really pulled on my heart strings! I can’t quite believe how a book can change so many views and thoughts on life but this book really has. The strong unique themes explored are touched so perfectly and extremely sympathetically. I honestly don’t have anything bad to say about this book I was extremely satisfied with all aspects of the story. I actually felt heart broken the minute I read the last word of the book, not on,y because of what happens but because the book had finished! It was written so beautifully, gripping me from start to finish, I just wanted to keep turning the pages, I didn’t want to put the book down! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! And really can’t wait to read some of Jennifer Nivens other books. I adore her style of writing.
Sorry for the long post, this book is just so important to me!
Emily Jane xo
P.S Make sure you have a pack of tissues ready before you start reading..
* image is NOT my own. From google images.
A Little Bit Of Everything 