3 mins read

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven 

“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” (Jennifer Niven, All the Bright Places)

This quote captures the emotional and philosophical heart of All the Bright Places, the contemporary young adult novel written by the extraordinary author Jennifer Niven. The story itself dives deep into themes of mental illness, grief, healing, and the unpredictable ways people can impact one another. 

Summary:

The novel centers around two high school students, Theodore Finch and Violet Markey, who meet on the ledge of their school’s bell tower, both contemplating suicide. Both of them have the same thought however they have different reasons that led to them being there. Theodore or as he goes by “Finch”, is fascinated by death and constantly thinks about ways to die, while Violet is grieving the death of her sister and struggling to move forward. After their initial encounter, the two become partners on a geography project that requires them to explore the natural wonders of the state they live in, Indiana. Through their shared adventures they begin to build a connection that starts to heal them both. The characters form lasting impressions on one another which influences their lives. 

The novel develops into a complex story including themes of love, pain, and the challenges of mental health. As Niven paints a beautiful portrait of the complex emotions that her characters are feeling without sugarcoating the reality of depression and grief. 

Review:

Typically I read a wide variety of genres and to be honest contemporary books were never my favorite. That being said, All the Bright Places is one of the best books i have ever read. The themes of mental health being shown in different ways from how it’s typically portrayed throughout media was a breath of fresh air as did more to prove the point that mental health comes in many forms and affects all kinds of people. 

Finch’s character especially stood out to me. He’s charismatic, unpredictable, and intelligent, yet you see the other side of home where he is constantly fighting an invisible battle. Violet’s transformation throughout the novel, from the beginning numbness that she feels to the rediscovery that she ends with, is equally as powerful as her counterpart. Her healing feels earned and genuine on such an intimate level that it feels like I was right there with her going through it all. 

One theme that really stood out to me was how people often wear masks to hide their internal struggles. In Finch’s case it’s putting on a smile to hide his depressive thoughts. It also does a good job of reminding us that healing is not linear and grief is not simple and doesn’t follow rules. 

Stylistically, the novel is extremely readable and intimate. Niven chose to have shorter chapters which makes it easy to keep reading and become immersed in the minds of both Finch and Violet. The way the novel has chapters in both points of view makes it easy to see the alternating and sometimes even contrasting feelings that both of them feel, which brings yet another form of intrigue and understanding to the characters. The small trips that the characters take around Indiana were some of my favorite parts, showing that beauty and lightness can peek through even during the darkest parts of our lives. 

That said, the novel is emotionally intense, especially for those who have experienced loss or struggled with mental health. It’s important to note that All the Bright Places includes discussions and depictions of suicide, and it’s a book that should be approached with care. 

I would give this book: 📚📚📚📚📚– beautifully intimate and with a story that will linger in my mind forever! (5/5)

Love, 

Julia

GFB Ambassador

 

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