Reviews

Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding

mschrock8's review against another edition

2.0

Sad, with a bit of hope.

Borrowed on Hoopla through JCPL.

Listening length eight hr.

christyellen's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

I found this story to be somewhat mixed, but ultimately meaningful. Despite a few dull moments, the deeper message was truly inspiring.

livingdeadbabe's review against another edition

3.0

I give this book a 3.5 it is the manic mind of an alcoholic with a young child. I ask myself how did she function until he reached 4? What made her go off on a bender? Why do they act like she has been this way for a long time? Why did they not take the child before? Why why and I get no answers. It’s a non stop stream of manic thoughts in her mind. So they give her medication but never fully diagnosed her. They tell her he can’t miss school but she lets him. Too much unanswered question and I need to get
Out of the womens head so this is all

alltoomars's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

carleighjw's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rmarcin's review against another edition

5.0

Sonya is a has-been actress, a mother of Tommy, and an alcoholic. When her neighbor notices Sonya's erratic behavior, she calls Sonya's father and forces him to take action. Sonya is required to enter treatment and be separated from Tommy for months. Although she resists, she recognizes that her recovery is critical to Tommy's well-being. During her recovery, Sonya starts to understand that her mother had also had some sort of illness, but not what she had been told. Both heartbreakng and redemptive, this book is beautifully and authentically told.
Thanks to HarperVia and Edelweiss for the ARC. All opinions are my own and freely given.

librarystax's review against another edition

3.0

Maybe 2.5? I finished it but it was rather disturbing. Hard to want to read the childish baby talk throughout both from the child and mother. This may be more pronounced for me as my 3.5 year old is baby talking to match with his sister (1.5) and it’s driving me bonkers

hallison888's review against another edition

4.75

the ending was way too fast i wanted more resolution

sweetlemonwater's review against another edition

dark hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

charbeebe's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 because I listened to it on audio at 2x speed which made it a trillion times more intense than I think it would’ve been had I read the physical book. I think this book makes a lot of people uncomfortable hence the lower rating, but Harding really paints the picture of a mother struggling with addiction. The book is inherently stressful and a little “manic”, but I can’t help but think that was a beautiful artistic choice. All in all, I’m glad I read this book! The topics are challenging but SO important!