Bright Burning Things is not an easy book to read. Books about alcoholics, especially those who are parents, never are. But Lisa Harding's second novel is an important read because it highlights with alarming intensity the aftermath that the addicted leave in their wake, destroying not only themselves, but their families. Reading Bright Burning Things will make you uncomfortable, it will likely leave you angry, but it will also make you stop and consider how dysfunction cycles through generations of families with patterns that are learned and reinforced, and are difficult to break.

Bright Burning Things opens on a chaotic, frenetic scene with our protagonist, former actress Sonya on a drinking binge, recklessly putting herself, her young son Tommy, and their dog Herbie in grave danger. The novel pushes forward as such in an unfiltered stream of consciousness, with every drunken thought of Sonya's spilling across the page with rapid-fire intensity. Is this is what it is like to be in the mind of an alcoholic? If so, the result is dizzying and terrifying.

The book follows Sonya to rehab, which is pushed upon her by her distant father, and shows her struggle to regain custody of Tommy after her release. The entire story is focused on Sonya's addiction to the drink and also hints at an underlying mental illness, which she may be using alcohol to quiet and hide. The neglect of her child due to her addiction is at the forefront of this book, which does not hold back in highlighting how those with the disease of addiction destroy their families.

Bright Burning Things is a frenzied account of one woman's spiral into madness as she prioritizes alcohol and allows it take over her life. While this book's writing style won't be for everyone - frankly, it is all over the place, but such is the thought processes of someone under the influence - it has a lot to teach those who take the time to unravel its quirks and intricacies.

I listened to an audiobook production of this book narrated by author Lisa Harding. It took me awhile to become accustomed to her rapid reading pace, but the further I delved into the book, the more her narration choices made sense to me. Since this book is so uniquely written, it makes sense for Harding herself to put a voice to Sonya, as it is she who knows her best.

I found the premise of this book and this cover completely 10/10. I just wished I could get into it. Ultimately this book just wasn't for me and I had to DNF. I've heard some mixed reviews on it and ultimately that it gets better, but couldn't keep reading.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding.
Lisa Harding narrates the audio edition of her book, Bright Burning Things, and is amazing! The speed and voice she uses fits perfectly with Sonya's mental state. I had to slow the listening speed in order to follow the jumble of thoughts spinning uncontrollably from Sonya's mind. This book was sad, depressing, and unfortunately true. The ending was raw and incomplete, but unfortunately true. My biggest concern with this book was that it seemed obvious that Sonya's problems were more psychotic than a result of alcoholism yet that is never developed. The situation with Sonya's mom is also unresolved, and the character David seemed to be unrealistic. However, the ongoing constant battle within the mind of an alcoholic was well done.

This book is WOW. It is sad, its moving, it is creatively told, it is stirring, authentic, fresh, and unique. The way Lisa Harding writes makes BRIGHT BURNING THINGS read like a memoir. Sonya is one of the most complicated women ever put on the page. She's manic, she's charming, she's dangerous, she's sad, she's irresponsible, she's fiercely in love with her child. The world is not quite made for women like her, and as a reader/listener you can't help but feel your stomach in knots with concern over what will become of Sonya, little Tommy, and the pets.
This is a book you don't forget.

I am so glad I listened to the audio version narrated by the author. At first I was frustrated by the speed of the narration, but I soon realized that the first person story of an alcoholic mother and her preschool son was necessary to explain her need for alcohol. Sonya Moriarty was once a successful London actress and has returned to Dublin. Her drinking is self-medication for her failure in London. It’s a harrowing portrayal of alcoholism from a perspective we seldom see. The reader sees from Sonya’s point of view, the nastiness of her neighbors and the pizza place that will no longer allow her credit. We see how she views her father and stepmother with hostility as they try to help her and her young son, Tommy. One of the things I found interesting was her views on the AA meetings she was forced to attend to regain custody of young Tommy. The meetings turned into a male vanity show rather than real support. Jenna Hager Bush recommended this book as the December Today show book club choice and I strongly agree.

This story is amazing. It is heartbreaking, with a look into the mind of a mother in the middle of an alcohol addiction. But it’s also about messy family relationships, grief, and finding your voice. The narration was perfect. I loved this.

I haven't experienced a loved one being addicted to alcohol, but feel I've glimpsed the roller coaster of emotions by reading Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding.

The premise: In present day Ireland, Sonya is an unemployed actor living with an out-of-control addiction. She loves her 4-year-old son Tommy very much, but alcoholism has an tight grip on her life. Their days swing widely from manic excitement to real danger, depending upon Sonya's level of intoxication. Tommy and their dog Herbie often fend for themselves, attempting to care for Sonya on her worst days. Every emotion Sonya experiences is intense and extreme.

After a particularly dangerous event, Sonya's mostly-absent father intervenes and demands she participate in a three-month inpatient treatment program. She's devastated to be away from Tommy but has little choice. To her own surprise, she completes the program and begins re-entry to daily life without alcohol. Predictably, all does not go smoothly, but the novel has a hopeful yet abrupt conclusion.

Many thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the review copy of the audiobook expertly narrated by the author, a former London stage actress. I began listening at 1.0 speed because the narration is quick and disjointed, perfectly conveying Sonya's manic thoughts and actions. At times, it felt like being caught in a whirlwind. I could listen for only an hour or so before I needed a mental break from the intensity.

#BrightBurningThings #NetGalley

If you can, do this as an audiobook. The author reads it and I believe only she could bring this story alive to it's fullest. When I first started listening, I thought I had a downloading problem - but stick in there, it will be well worth the listen.

Sonya used to perform on stage. She attended glamorous parties, dated handsome men, rode in fast cars. But somewhere along the way, the stage lights Sonya lived for dimmed to black. In their absence, came darkness—blackouts, empty cupboards, hazy nights she could not remember.

Haunted by her failed career and lingering trauma from her childhood, Sonya fell deep into an alcoholic abyss. What kept her from losing herself completely was Tommy, her son. But her love for Tommy rivaled her love for the bottle. Addiction amplified her fear of losing her child; every maternal misstep compelled her to drink. Tommy’s precious life was in her shaky hands.

Eventually Sonya was forced to make a choice. Give up drinking or lose Tommy—forever.

Bright Burning Things is an emotional tour-de-force—a devastating and nuanced look at an addict’s journey towards rehabilitation and redemption.

The narrator in this novel describes her isolation and destructive alcohol-related activities which led to her rehabilitation. Driven by her fierce love for her sun Time, she had to fight hard to get him back from the foster family and to remain sober. It was an unusual book since the narrative was seen completely through her eyes, and was very intense and personal. I recommend it.

Told over the course of a few months, Bright Burning Things is a glimpse into the life of Sonya, a "failed actress" struggling with alcoholism and she tries to raise her young son. It's breathtakingly sad, and terrifying in moments, such as when Sonya wakes up after passing out and finds her son is missing. The audiobook is beautifully read by the author.
I will recommend to readers who like fiction with unreliable narrators, and as a novel for someone who usually reads memoirs looking to branch out into fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperAudio for digital review copy.

This book is really beautifully written, and does a nice job showing what addiction looks like from the point of the addict as well as, to some degree, the point of view of those affected by another’s addiction. From the narrator’s point of view, we experience her often frenetic and chaotic world, feeling anger for her at times and extreme empathy other times. We see her vulnerabilities, as well as those of her young son, and those who would exploit those vulnerabilities. While the journey of addiction recovery can be long and arduous, the author does a nice job showing the realities while still allowing hope you shine through.

Bright Beautiful Things is a heartbreaking, well written story that I listened to in one day. I was so invested in the main character, Sonya, a single mom struggling with alcohol. The author is the narrator, and the book starts like an explosion – I thought I had the book on 2x! Stream of consciousness isn’t the easiest to listen to but I loved the Irish accent – authentic and almost painful on audio. Although she’s not a particularly likeable character, I was rooting for Sonya the whole time. She was so incredibly real; fallible and she’s aware of her failings as a human and especially as a mom. She grew on me and, as a woman and a mother myself, I could identify with a lot of her story.
I was born in Ireland and am quite familiar with Sandymount beach. Perhaps that’s why I loved this book so much. If you liked Shuggie Bain, I think you’ll appreciate an Irish version that’s a lot shorter and not as dark.
There’s not a lot of plot but the author shines a light on what addiction really looks like and how tough recovery is. We are inside Sonya’s head the entire time so we’re not always sure if we’re getting the real story. I was struck by how little help she was offered. Her family and the culture of health care in Ireland really let her down. Her past life as an actress was enough to get her out the door without the assistance she knew she needed. There are hints of mental illness that don’t seem to be addressed at all by her family or her doctor.
Devasting, emotional, not an easy read but I do feel wiser for having read this book. My empathy for those struggling with addiction has increased and the way kids get caught in the middle of it all was eye-opening.
I will recommend this book to anyone with an interest in a character driven well told story.
Thanks Net Galley and Harper Audio for the advance copy.

A little difficult at first because the narrator was speaking way too fast, but it started to make sense as the main character struggles with alcoholism. This novel explores addiction, recovery, the hardships of single parenthood, and complex family relationships. It was definitely not easy to listen to because of the topics this novel covered, but I think Lisa Harding did a pretty good job portraying addiction and the spectrum of recovery.

I listened to the audio book for Bright Burning Things by Lisa Harding. At first, I felt that the narrator was speaking too fast and excited but once I got into the story I realized that it was more than likely how the main character's mind was working adding a better understanding of the book.