http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/12/all-bright-places-by-jennifer-niven.html
Told from two different perspectives in Finch and Violet, the two teens understand a deep depression that most if us couldn't fathom, and at such a tender age. Violet has lost her sister in a tragic road accident in which she survived, but her grief is merely absorbed and she feels incredibly lonely. Her parents expect her to start maintaining a 'normal' life, although through their own despair, refuse to talk about their loss.
Finch hasn't experienced loss, but physical abuse at the hands of his father, his mother neglects her children and is bullied, beaten and broken each day at school. His thoughts are of the options he has to take his own life, but has never taken the next step. He is crying out for help in a home that ignores his pleas and a school system which sees his troubled behaviour as worthy of threats and punishment. Until he meets Violet.
Their adventures, chasing the beauty of Indiana and leaving a part of themselves behind was whimsical, spirited and carefree. But behind the joy and laughter was an underlying sadness, a darkness that returns when the brightness of day can no longer hide our inner thoughts. Neither Finch or Violet were understood, a cry for help simply being labelled as sadness or an excuse, when even in our own communities metal illnesses isn't always recognised or acknowledged.
I'm the freak. I'm the weirdo. I'm the troublemaker. I start fights. I let people down. Don't make Finch mad, whatever you do. Oh, there he goes again, in one of his moods. Moody Finch. Angry Finch. Unpredictable Finch. Crazy Finch. But I'm not a compilation of symptoms. Not a causality of shitty parents and an even shittier chemical makeup. Not a problem. Not a diagnosis. Not an illness. Not something to be rescued. I'm a person.
The prose throughout was lyrical and incredibly beautiful, even quoting passages of Virginia Woolf. This surpasses any novel John Green or Rainbow Rowell could have created. Jennifer Niven is a phenomenal storyteller, a breathtaking author and this could quite possibly be the story of a generation.