'All The Bright Places' by Jennifer Niven

SPOILER FREE


From the very first page of this novel I knew it was going to be unlike any I had read before. Death is often glorified in Young Adult literature, or is a subject that is avoided at all cost, but Jennifer Niven does not shy away from it. Death and suicide is an ongoing theme in this book. She treats the subject with respect and realism as it is something that she has personal experience with. This, I believe, makes the story somewhat more poignant. 
‘All The Bright Places’ out did all of the expectations I previously had from just hearing what others had to say, which makes me believe nothing I say will do this book justice.

The adventure Violet and Finch have taken me on is up there with the greats. For once I did not want to rush through the story to see how it ended up because no amount of time with these characters will be long enough for me. I am guilty for seeing the faults in characters, but the friendships that blossom, not only between Finch and Violet, but their lives is one that will last, no matter the conclusion of the tale. 

Throughout, I found myself questioning how anyone could write things so beautiful. I had to pause and read lines out loud to my mum just to share the beauty of this story…

'She is oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. The same elements that are inside the rest of us but I can’t help thinking she’s more than that and she’s got other elements going on that no ones ever heard of, ones that make her stand apart from everyone else.’

Jennifer Niven has written a novel that is beautiful, breathtaking and heart braking. You will go to places you never thought you would visit, think thoughts you hadn’t questioned before. 'All The Bright Places’ will have you hiding your smile between the pages, laughing at random moments, and leave you numb, but maybe a little brighter than when you started.


Oh, the places you’ll go…