A review by bookworm_kathy
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Before you read this book, you need to know that it deals heavily with the topic of suicide and mental illness, including but not limited to bipolar disorder. As well as domestic and child abuse.  The author does not include trigger warnings at the beginning of the book and it plays a significant role in the story, it would be a disservice not to make you aware.  This is marketed as a YA novel and the main characters are high school students, but the weight of what they're experiencing is greater than what a lot of adults go through.  At the crux of the story, there is a moment between the lonely outcast, Theo, and the grieving Violet, who meet atop the bell tower at their school during a low point one day.  They find solace in one another and through a group project for a class at school they begin to spend more time together.  Throughout the story, we watch them navigate mental illness while getting to know one another.  This book is not for the faint of heart.  What fired me up about this story was how disconnected Theo's family was from him, especially with how fragile his mental health was.  He was right there in front of them and they ignored him.  Violet coming into his life was just what he needed with a family like his.  I'm not sure the author did enough to demonstrate what resources are available for suicidal individuals, especially teens, beyond the author's note after the book concluded.  There was a missed opportunity within the story to make an impact.
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