The novel starts with a very controversial statement;
Is it a good day to die?
Death is a long-term fascination of Theodore Finch.
Theodore Finch is an infamous high school senior, an old-fashioned soul, and a “man build like a bull.” He is difficult to understand and on top of that his untamed nature has earned him a new name, Theodore Freak. Not that he is very happy about that. Theodore would address himself as someone rather, pre-historic. Above all, he is the kind of person who would find it worthwhile for someone to smile at them, genuinely. It's so worthwhile that he might as well fall in love with them. These small finite moments would give him a little satisfaction with his otherwise, very grey life. But unfortunately, as soon as they vanish – he would find himself just an inch away from jumping off some bell tower, or a cliff, or maybe the Purina tower.
The novel is narrated by Theodore Finch himself and his counterpart, Violet Merkley. Violet Merkley is the second protagonist who experiences the same feeling as him – the only difference is that her distastefulness towards life is temporary and as temporary as it gets it's very likely that her depression is also just short-term. She is a simple, quiet, above-average high school girl. Her cheerfulness and liveliness is set ablaze after a tragic incident. Making her doubt life and every joy in it. She quits writing, something she loved as a hobby and aspired to take as a profession. This is all until she gets involved with a person (Theodore Finch) who would reportedly, do anything just to have her life even if it's for a day.
Violet narrates her side of the story in a very decent manner. It reeks of delicacy and simplicity. On the other hand, Theodore's side of the story would be grandiose and exaggerated in every way possible. The perfect contrast.
Ladies and gentlemen...I would like to welcome you to my death!
From these grand gestures he suddenly shifts to his philosophical side and bestow's Violet with his passion for classical literature and classical poets – like Vladimir Mayakovski, poet of the Russian Revolution, who ended up with a bullet in his head or his long time obsession with Virginia Wolfe, who drowned herself, something Theodore found extremely appealing. Maybe it is a sheer stroke of goodwill, maybe it's an irony or maybe it's a complete tragedy that they both unite – two individuals with different circumstances but a similar possible end result. They both go on a life-changing adventure, small in nature but big in ramifications.
Jennifer Niven's, All the Bright Places is a young adult psychological novel with a side of light romance. It is based in Indiana. She wrote a very light and sensitive topic in a very intellectual and humorous way, still keeping it faithful to the original theme – death. She depicts her primary protagonist, Theodore Finch in a very beautiful and unforgettable manner. She does justice to his character and his personality, keeping it in harmony with his abundant emotions. Niven not only makes the transition of Theodore's character in a very seamless manner but also keeps the equilibrium between his different and very disparate traits. Theodore Finch, as a suicidal teen. Theodore Finch, as an admiring friend. Theodore Finch, as a hard-working student. Theodore Finch, as a loving son. Theodore Finch, as a romantic lover. Theodore Finch has many sides and all of them complement his beautiful yet miserable existence.
Death is a sensitive topic and in the light of all the
sensitiveness, it's also a very fascinating topic. Theodore Finch had a good reason
to keep death an option for him. And despite all the controversy that would
bring he had the audacity to tell Voilet Merkley, her sadness was not worth
such a decision. That, it is not an option
for her – because it's just too stupid for her to think of such a thing. Again
for a good reason. They both had different life stories, different pasts. Finch
sorted out for her that their present, however similar it may look to his, should not
have a similar ending. When it was all said and done, Violet finds for herself a reason to
live, all because of a man who only had many reasons to die.
This novel made different transitions into social and individual issues at such a uniform pace that readers couldn't help but want to crave more. Niven created something close to a masterpiece – discussing something, not always discussed. Showing us a side of a teenager's life, not always shown. She gave us two ideal examples of the most crucial problems most likely faced by a young individual in the form of her two well-crafted protagonist, Theodore Finch, and Violet Merkley. There is also advice for the adults and parents and everyone that holds the responsibility to the growing children. Although Nivan had her shortcomings when dealing with certain characters, e.g. Theodore Finch's counselor who was nicknamed “embryo” by Finch (however, annoying it may sound). His character could have been more developed but unfortunately, it was not. On the other hand, Violet Merkley friends had the most cliche'-est pairing which didn't quite go with the schtick of the story itself. Even so, these potential weak points couldn't surpass the hell of a phenomenon Niven created. All the bright places may be an eternal haven for psychological and romantic thriller lovers.
wow, this is so amazing!!!
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