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A review by caseys_chapters
Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding is a gut-wrenching story, but remarkably told.
The book follows Sonya, a former actress struggling with alcoholism while caring for her young son, Tommy. She’s flawed and missteps, but also coping with her own traumas without a healthy support system.
This story absorbed me. I read the whole book in a single day.
The first-person narrative is definitely what makes this so visceral. You’re put right into Sonya’s emotions. I read a physical copy, but heard this is done brilliantly on audio. I constantly ached for Sonya and Tommy, while another character made me sick to my stomach (iykyk).
The ending felt a little abrupt, maybe because I was invested in them and wanted to see more of their lives. But overall I was deeply moved by Harding’s searing portrait of addiction and motherhood.
The book follows Sonya, a former actress struggling with alcoholism while caring for her young son, Tommy. She’s flawed and missteps, but also coping with her own traumas without a healthy support system.
This story absorbed me. I read the whole book in a single day.
The first-person narrative is definitely what makes this so visceral. You’re put right into Sonya’s emotions. I read a physical copy, but heard this is done brilliantly on audio. I constantly ached for Sonya and Tommy, while another character made me sick to my stomach (iykyk).
The ending felt a little abrupt, maybe because I was invested in them and wanted to see more of their lives. But overall I was deeply moved by Harding’s searing portrait of addiction and motherhood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism