All That's Bright and Gone by Eliza Nellums

How I Heard About It:

*I always love to see which books the editors at Amazon.Com recommend each month.  I've enjoyed some of their "picks' and others not so much.  I saw this title and found the premise interesting.  I downloaded it on Audible and listened during my last several days at work.  

What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
1.  *Narrator Aoife, a six year old, tells the story of her family which includes herself, her older brother, an uncle, and her mama.

2.  *Aoife is dealing with the loss of her brother Theo and the fact that her mama can't get beyond it and has landed herself in the hospital.

3.  *While her mother "recovers" in the hospital, Aoife spends time with her uncle.  The more time she is alone with him, the mom she begins to wonder and question what happened to Theo.

4.  *Aoife and a neighbor girl decide to be "detectives" and begin a hunt to find out the answers to all of their questions.

5.  *Many of the adults in Aoife's life have been lying to her and once she finds out the answers, she will realize the past was not what it seemed.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
1.  *I have mixed feelings about the story.  I enjoyed it overall, but had a hard time believing a six-year old would have the thoughts, feelings, and ideas that Aoife did.

2.  *The experience listening to it on Audible may have been the issue.  The narrator was good, but the little girl "voice" did get a bit irritating from time to time.  Reading the actual novel may have been a better option.

3.  *The fact that two young children went on a "hunt" for answers was a bit unrealistic.

4.  *I did enjoy the mystery and finding out what actually happened to Theo.  The imaginary friend of Teddy was also a strong point of the story.

5.  *The themes of family, secrets, and letting go were also well developed and believable.


Who Should Read It:
*As a reader, I would recommend you reading this instead of listening to it.  The plot may be more believable.  If you enjoy a family story with some great mysteries along the way, this is the novel for you.  Happy Reading!

Rating:   3 STARS out of 5 Stars