I hoped for something good because I had previously read books by this author. A beautifully written story of a young boy who struggles with his life and makes a decision to change it. Lots of emotional scenes and a heart breaking storyline.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy

This Bright Life tackles important and challenging topics and the writer uses an ideal tone for the tackling of them.
Gerard is a likeable character.
Prose and plot: 3
Characterisation: 3.5

This is a bleak story, but not without moments of hope. The writing is crisply beautiful, with fierce bursts of energy and emotion. The author, Karen Campbell, has the same knack as Ian McEwan for slowing down time in moments of disaster and danger. The scene where an elderly lady, Margaret, is attacked in the street, was brilliantly evoked. The dive into Margaret's backstory - one of bereavement and estrangement - was also vivid ("It suits Margaret to let her neighbours believe she has a nephew in Australia, not a son").

It's perhaps worth noting that the book description didn't quite reflect the novel - I had the impression it would be solely focused on the child, Gerard, and his perspective on events, but the adult female characters, Claire and Margaret, felt as important to the story.

Favourite line: "A sensation of release. Like the time Gerard had a broken arm and the doctor cut off his plaster. His healed arm had flown up, weightless with delight at being free."

Many thanks to Canongate and NetGalley for the advance copy.