The book in question: 'All The Bright Places' by Jennifer Niven
Firstly I want to say that fans of John Green (The Fault in our Stars), Rainbow Rowell (Eleanor and Park) and Gayle Forman (If I Stay) will no doubt love this book!
(Photo ft. annoying rip in bottom corner yay)
I honestly can't rave about this book enough so bare with me if I start fangirl-ing something silly. This is a stand alone book, so there's no sequel or prequel which for someone like myself, who absolutely loves reading beyond the story, is a little frustrating. Although saying that, the book is more than enough within itself, Jennifer Niven has written a compelling, emotional and enlightening story of falling in love and meeting 'the one' at just the right time.
The Book tells the story of Violet Markey and Theodore Finch through a duel narrative that Niven pulls off remarkably, each side of the story gives the reader an insight into the somewhat tumultuous lives of both characters and how their connection, while unconventional as they meet a top a bell tower fighting to save themselves, is one to be envied. Personally I think the duel narrative is one of the books best assets as you really get to know the characters and make your own connection. Theodore Finch clearly steals the show in this book, he's a wonderfully developed character fill of conflicting emotions that even I, an actual physical person and not a character, can't comprehend. He completely personifies the struggle between whats universally perceived as right and the inner personal struggle, which is something that I don't think is covered enough in modern young adult literature. Basically, be prepared to fall in love with him and all his imperfections. Hard.
Violet is also another well developed character, going through her own battles that are clearly visible from the get go, although without Finch she wouldn't be half as appealing in my opinion which proves how well Niven has forged both characters to compliment each other so well. The book is a young adult novel and so you can probably predict some themes present within the book; Love, friendship coming of age, peer pressure as well as others but the way Nivel has constructed the book so carefully to brush over these as well as a topic that is so often, wrongly, considered taboo; mental illness. This book carefully glides over the topic using it as a motif throughout the book instead of hitting it hard, head on. I like this as it gets you thinking without being an emotional wreck.
The Book tells the story of Violet Markey and Theodore Finch through a duel narrative that Niven pulls off remarkably, each side of the story gives the reader an insight into the somewhat tumultuous lives of both characters and how their connection, while unconventional as they meet a top a bell tower fighting to save themselves, is one to be envied. Personally I think the duel narrative is one of the books best assets as you really get to know the characters and make your own connection. Theodore Finch clearly steals the show in this book, he's a wonderfully developed character fill of conflicting emotions that even I, an actual physical person and not a character, can't comprehend. He completely personifies the struggle between whats universally perceived as right and the inner personal struggle, which is something that I don't think is covered enough in modern young adult literature. Basically, be prepared to fall in love with him and all his imperfections. Hard.
Violet is also another well developed character, going through her own battles that are clearly visible from the get go, although without Finch she wouldn't be half as appealing in my opinion which proves how well Niven has forged both characters to compliment each other so well. The book is a young adult novel and so you can probably predict some themes present within the book; Love, friendship coming of age, peer pressure as well as others but the way Nivel has constructed the book so carefully to brush over these as well as a topic that is so often, wrongly, considered taboo; mental illness. This book carefully glides over the topic using it as a motif throughout the book instead of hitting it hard, head on. I like this as it gets you thinking without being an emotional wreck.
Niven has wonderfully described many settings throughout the book, her style of writing conveys the beauty through the eyes of her characters so well that you can picture yourself there. In my opinion you know it's a good book when you feel like you're right there experiencing everything with the characters, with this book you will be taken on a complete rollercoaster of emotions and love every minute of it because of Niven's meticulously thought out plot and elegant writing.
Overall this is one of the best books i've read not only this year but in a long time, I enjoyed every minute of it (which wasn't long because I read it well within two days) and am still thinking about it weeks after finishing. I'm not only recommending you read it, i'm telling you, you absolutely need to. Now.
- Sam x
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