Lee Martin

Includes liner notes and reading group guide.

A Novel

The Bright Forever

Lauren Grey

I was not impressed by this book. I didn’t really know what it was about when I bought it on sale, but I have to disagree with what others have said. I did not find it spellbinding or entertaining… I thought it was slow and confusing.

The story jumped around back and forth, basically if you don’t read it in one sitting you won’t really get it or remember what was significant. I guess I just didn’t really like his writing style. I thought how things were worded were strange, also I guess I just would rather a story be told chronologically instead of going from Monday to Wednesday to Tuesday….. it was just not for me.

Also I don’t really feel like he got the concept of switching point of views. Sometimes it would say the city, others it would be a specific character, sometimes a group of characters, and other times a date. That in itself was confusing. I just wasn’t sure what that was all about.

I would definitely say this novel is a cross between The Lovely Bones and To Kill a Mockingbird. I don’t think this book deserves any awards and I think there are better books about kidnapped kids, but I am proud of myself for pushing through and finishing it.

Definitely not a recommendation, but if you get stuck having to read it; well it’s doable.

Peggy Walker

Evidently, this book was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, which surprised me somewhat. The town and locals of that era were painted very well, and I could see the "light" and feel the heat of the days covered by the story. The story is told by several narrators, and each has a recognizable voice, and they tell the story well. There is some jumping around in time, but it is still easy to follow. It illustrates how one tiny thing...Gilley tattling that his sister didn't return her library books...can trigger a whole series of events. However, there wasn't going to be a good outcome in this situation. Obsession rarely has a good end. It was a good read, but not as spectacular as I might have expected.

The Bright Forever A Novel

Reviews