All the Bright Places
Jennifer Niven
Theodore Finch is known either as Finch or "Freak." There are rumors about him that he doesn't deny or confirm so there is a mysterious aura about him. Violet used to be popular and used to be sociable until that one night that changed everything. Finch is constantly thinking about death and which is the best way to kill himself. Violet is counting down the days to graduation so she can escape this small Indiana town and the grief of her sister's death that infamous night. When they both meet at the top of the bell tower for the same terrible reason, their lives are forever changed. Finch and (ultra)Violet have a school assignment to discover the natural wonders of their town, so to be different they take a unique approach and discover the secret treasures of the town…and themselves.
It takes a few chapters to get used to Finch. He's annoying, attention seeking and doesn't stop talking. All these characteristics become his best qualities. Violet is neither annoying nor attention seeking and she hardly talks. This book is written with a dual perspective. I appreciate and enjoy this type of narrative because you don't just get one side of the story or one gender's outlook. This teen book is beautifully written and the story is different from what's out there and has been out there for the past 5 years. There's no dystopian world, this is set in today's time with cellphones and cars. There's no love triangle, just your ordinary good old fashioned boy and girl, will they or won't they romance. There's no government trying to do something for the greater good, it's just high school. What the characters do have to deal with are mental illness'.
This is a real story with real people and swearing, sex and drugs but don't let those things put you off. The values make it appropriate for readers aged 14+. If you like John Green, this book is for you. A gripping coming of age story that will break your heart. You will be prepared but you will be in denial. Make sure to be emotionally unavailable for a couple of days after finishing the book. It's for the best. And then there's this quote: "Gentlemen are rare. They're like virgins or leprechauns." Jennifer Niven, you're a genius.
It takes a few chapters to get used to Finch. He's annoying, attention seeking and doesn't stop talking. All these characteristics become his best qualities. Violet is neither annoying nor attention seeking and she hardly talks. This book is written with a dual perspective. I appreciate and enjoy this type of narrative because you don't just get one side of the story or one gender's outlook. This teen book is beautifully written and the story is different from what's out there and has been out there for the past 5 years. There's no dystopian world, this is set in today's time with cellphones and cars. There's no love triangle, just your ordinary good old fashioned boy and girl, will they or won't they romance. There's no government trying to do something for the greater good, it's just high school. What the characters do have to deal with are mental illness'.
This is a real story with real people and swearing, sex and drugs but don't let those things put you off. The values make it appropriate for readers aged 14+. If you like John Green, this book is for you. A gripping coming of age story that will break your heart. You will be prepared but you will be in denial. Make sure to be emotionally unavailable for a couple of days after finishing the book. It's for the best. And then there's this quote: "Gentlemen are rare. They're like virgins or leprechauns." Jennifer Niven, you're a genius.
