“The Story of a girl who loves to live from a boy who wants to die.”

In a nutshell, this book is about a guy named “Theodore Finch” and a girl called “Violet Markey.” Finch, labeled a “freak” is constantly in search of “If today is a good day to die? And If not today—when?” A teenager obsessed with death meets Violet, a popular school cheerleader, on the ledge of a bell tower. The thought of ending their lives, one out of pain and the other out of grief, is deeply embedded in their minds. Violet is dealing with survivor’s guilt and feels responsible for her sister’s death, Eleanor. Riddled with grief, she is now counting the days until graduation, with the hope that if she escapes her hometown, Indiana, she will shut the door on her terrible past.

All the Bright Places (Review)

But life has a way of bringing people together, and in this case, Finch and Violet now partner for a school project. For this project, Mr. Black requests the class to present a report on at least two, preferably three, wonders of Indiana.

“I want to ask wonders or wanders? But I am busy watching Violet as she concentrates on the chalkboard, the corner of her mouth still turned up.”

Together they embark on a journey, albeit for a school project but a journey nonetheless. Will this help them discover more than just Indiana? Will this wandering leave them wondering about each other? Finch bumps my arm and hands me a piece of blue chalk.

I say, “There’s no space left.”

“So, we make some.”

"This book will constantly keep you on wanting to know what happens next." Share on X

He writes, “Before I die, I want to…” and draws a line. He writes it again. Then he writes it a dozen more times. “After we fill these up, we can keep going on the front of the building and down on the other side. It’s a good way to figure out just why we’re here.” And I know by “here” he doesn’t mean this sidewalk.

This book may sound like any basic YA fiction novel, but as the saying goes, “Do not judge a book by its cover.” This book will constantly keep you wanting to know what happens next. While I like the variety of topics that have been discussed in the book ranging from the often glorified love and friendship to the almost undiscussed depression, suicide, death, and PTSD, I would have enjoyed the book more if the characters were a little more developed and there was more to them apart from their illness.

Other than that, the book was RE-MARKEY-ABLY unique and amazing (notice the pun :P). This journey will move you yet hold you captive and stay with you for a long time. I finished reading All the Bright Places in the span of a day and a half, which in itself is an achievement, and I cannot recommend it enough. While I go and sob in a corner, let me know your thoughts and give us a shout-out if this review helped or made you pick up the book. You can get the book here! 📖

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