myversionofyou Hello everyone and welcome back to My Version of You. I hope you’re all well. Today I’m going to be posting my review of Jennifer Niven’s wonderful novel ‘All the Bright Places’.
So, here it is!!
‘You will never cross-check anything within the same way after reading this book’ All the intense Places could be a phenomenal book. It’s at the concept that despite your love for somebody, it isn’t always possible to save lots of them.
** TRIGGER WARNING ** Contains references to mental contamination and suicide
‘All The Bright Places’ is Jennifer Niven’s first Young Adult novel, and is her greatest achievement so far. It became released in January 2015 and has been named “the next The Fault in Our Stars” via Guardian. It becomes a New York Times bestseller and is soon to be a film starring Elle Fanning, and was additionally decided on for Zoella’s Book Club with WHSmith. It also won the Goodreads Choice 2015 award for a Fiction.
The novel has received fantastic praise, from the likes of Heat: “A searingly honest and heart-breaking poignant story about the energy and splendour of affection” and Kirkos: “Many youngsters novels touch on similar themes, but few do it so memorably”. Many huge names also cherished the novel, for example, Zoe Sugg aka Zoella stated “This book is amazing – I couldn’t place it down” and Jennifer E. Smith believes “It will ruin your heart and remind you what it means to be alive”.
I’d heard so many suitable things approximately ‘All The Bright Places’ earlier than I picked it up. “A book that deals well with mental contamination”. There’s a big hype surrounding this book; however, please, believe that hype! I surely cherished this novel – and as someone who doesn’t generally tend to gravitate in the direction of fiction, that’s not something I anticipated to say.
The narrative essentially follows the teenagers Violet and Finch, and switches between the 2 of them. The book opens as they meet on the ledge of their school bell tower, proceeding to commit (or taking into consideration committing) suicide. Both are suffering for extraordinary reasons – Violet is devastated after her sister died in a car twist of fate that she survived, and Finch suffers from depression and has been abused via his father for tons of his existence. Shortly after this, the 2 turn out to be partners on a Geography assignment in which they’ll discover the wonders of Indiana together. They slowly start to fall in love and input right into dating.
The first component I will say approximately this novel is that it does indeed deal with mental illness expertly, on the subject of Finch especially. He frequently disappears for days on stop and has a lot of negative mind and emotions, often feeling deeply alone. As a victim of mental contamination, myself, these are all trends I can especially relate to. Finch is an outwardly humorous and cheerful person, expertly overlaying his internal struggles.
One of the largest criticisms I’ve heard about this book is certainly with regards to its depiction of mental contamination, and how it’s no longer a correct portrayal of residing with mental illness. I strongly disagree with this! Finch keeps many of his feelings and mind inner and doesn’t want to burden others with his negativity, which I might argue is an EXTREMELY ACCURATE portrayal of residing with melancholy. The novel isn’t as darkish as you would possibly first count on by way of reading the blurb – and I am satisfied that it’s not a dark study.
The narrative switches in perspectives from Violet to Finch and back again all through. Both characters are extraordinary and unique, and Niven has constructed two exquisite characters here. I felt that both voices and views have been equally strong, and I was constantly reassured at some point of that whoever’s voice becomes coming next, I could revel in it.
Violet become without a doubt now not the man or woman I anticipated her to be. She’s certainly one of the “popular girls” at faculty, and Finch is in a totally special league from her. She has masses of friends, is invited to lots of parties and had a very attractive boyfriend previously (earlier than her sister’s twist of fate). Despite all of this, Violet is struggling deep down internally, and its Finch who encourages her to pop out of the wall she has built around herself since the accident.
It turned into so clean to read all approximately the bits and bobs of Violet and Finch’s relationship, and I very well enjoyed analyzing as their courting blossomed and progressed. Despite the odds stacked towards them, they love every different unconditionally. They even quote from Virginia Woolf’s suicide letter to every other (I honestly love references to classical literature and authors in present-day fiction!
I loved the portrayal of all of the different minor characters too. There changed into an honestly excellent mix in there – from Finch’s abusive father, his misplaced and helpless mother, and his caring sisters; to Violet’s overprotective parents and her judgemental pals. There changed into additionally all your typical excessive college characters: the “school bully” (Roamer), the “attractive famous boy” (Ryan) and the “famous best friend” (Amanda).
I became certainly hooked on ‘All The Bright Places’ and wolfed it in sittings. It’s a beautiful tale of approximately two extraordinary characters. It explores the themes of affection, mental infection, suicide, friendship, high college existence and tons more so brilliantly.
The finishing became surprising and deeply sad, and I was deeply coronary heart-damaged and touched by way of what happened (but don’t worry – I’m no longer going to damage it for you! I cried like a toddler for the final forty or so pages! I don’t normally get this emotional when reading books, but this truly struck a chord deep inside me. If you’re going to read this, I highly suggest you’ve got some tissues on the ready – you’re going to need them!
The book constantly explores life and death and it shows the reader just how valid life is, and it comes with an overwhelming message of doing everything before it’s too late. It shows that the thought of ‘what could have been’ can destroy an individual.
Overall, the book could be a must-read and your craving for the characters to tug through keeps you turning page after page; you can’t put it down.
It is one in all one amongst one in each of those books that you simply still remember months after reading it because the characters and also the storyline they followed touched your heart in a way that you simply can’t forget them. it’s a book that you simply can link back to your own life and it reminds you ways fragile everything is and the way important it’s to treasure every moment with a dear before it may be snatched away.
You will never cross-check anything within the same way after reading this book; it changes your view about everything.
As I said previously, Fiction isn’t always my favoured genre to study, however I concept this book turned into just exceptional. It jogged my memory that even though you may be broken or be suffering at the inside, you’re nonetheless worthy of love and affection – a message which I agree with is so important. This story gave me wish and strength, as nicely as lowering me to tears a couple of times. It’s coronary heart-warming and compelling and deeply moved me as a reader. It’s one of these books that stayed with me after studying – I couldn’t stop considering it!
I highly recommend that you study ‘All The Bright Places’, even if you don’t study an awful lot of Fiction. It’s gone directly on my “favourites” shelf – and I guarantee you’ll love it too! I’ll, in reality, be analyzing more of fictional novels’ ASAP too.
Happy Reading 🙂
Never read the book but after this review, I will definitely read the book. Keep the great work.
Aww.. I am sure you will like it 🙂
I will purchase the book and let you know what i think of the book.
Sure! I will be waiting for your feedback 🙂