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Bright Burning Things
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.
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.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published December 7, 2021
1203 people are currently reading
28839 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Harding
10 books179 followersLisa Harding is an Irish writer, actress, and playwright whose work spans on fictional novels, play, anthologies and journals. She is considered an important voice in contemporary Irish literature, with her works contributing to discussions around social issues. Her novels engage readers with compelling stories while prompting reflection on the lives of those on the margins of society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,378 reviews
May 8, 2023
3.5 stars: “Bright Burning Things” is a story that makes you hold your breath…in worry. It’s a story of an alcoholic woman who has a four-year-old son. You will NOT stop worrying about her or her son as you read this.
The story begins with that “stream-of-thought” writing, which can be off-putting (at least to me). It took me a bit to get into that rhythm. It’s not all stream-of-thought, but when the protagonist, Sonya, has an episode which occurs while drinking, after drinking, and sometimes before drinking. Author Lisa Harding uses the device to let the reader know that Sonya is out of control. If at first you’re put off, give it a go. It’s worth the time invested.
Sonya’s son, Tommy, is a starving for attention and food. Sonya got Tommy a dog, Herbie who is large enough for Tommy to ride. Herbie often growls at Sonya, especially when she’s been drinking. They live in squalor, although Sonya was an actress before she had Tommy. Since having Tommy, she’s been unable to work or function.
This is an honest, often brutal look at alcoholism and its effects on children of alcoholics. Although Sonya loves Tommy without question, her reckless behavior when she drinks leaves her blacked out. We don’t know what she’s done to Tommy, but it’s implied, and Harding writes that beautifully. Harding is herself a former actress and has a close family member who struggles with drinking. Harding shows her understanding of the illness through Sonya’s chaotic and tumult inner narrations.
Sonya’s father intervenes and gets her to a public rehab. Harding shows the flaws of such help. Her son, Tommy, becomes part of the system. And of course, the system itself is over worked and understaffed. We get a glimpse into the AA approach to sobriety.
What makes this a special read is the reader’s view into the mind of a person struggling with an addiction.
What I didn’t like about the novel is the abrupt ending. I’m OK with a story not being wrapped up in a pretty bow. For me, the story didn’t end at a place that left me feeling as though the story was over. Is this going to be a series? Seems highly doubtful. It was a strange way to end a story, in my opinion.
The story begins with that “stream-of-thought” writing, which can be off-putting (at least to me). It took me a bit to get into that rhythm. It’s not all stream-of-thought, but when the protagonist, Sonya, has an episode which occurs while drinking, after drinking, and sometimes before drinking. Author Lisa Harding uses the device to let the reader know that Sonya is out of control. If at first you’re put off, give it a go. It’s worth the time invested.
Sonya’s son, Tommy, is a starving for attention and food. Sonya got Tommy a dog, Herbie who is large enough for Tommy to ride. Herbie often growls at Sonya, especially when she’s been drinking. They live in squalor, although Sonya was an actress before she had Tommy. Since having Tommy, she’s been unable to work or function.
This is an honest, often brutal look at alcoholism and its effects on children of alcoholics. Although Sonya loves Tommy without question, her reckless behavior when she drinks leaves her blacked out. We don’t know what she’s done to Tommy, but it’s implied, and Harding writes that beautifully. Harding is herself a former actress and has a close family member who struggles with drinking. Harding shows her understanding of the illness through Sonya’s chaotic and tumult inner narrations.
Sonya’s father intervenes and gets her to a public rehab. Harding shows the flaws of such help. Her son, Tommy, becomes part of the system. And of course, the system itself is over worked and understaffed. We get a glimpse into the AA approach to sobriety.
What makes this a special read is the reader’s view into the mind of a person struggling with an addiction.
What I didn’t like about the novel is the abrupt ending. I’m OK with a story not being wrapped up in a pretty bow. For me, the story didn’t end at a place that left me feeling as though the story was over. Is this going to be a series? Seems highly doubtful. It was a strange way to end a story, in my opinion.
March 4, 2022
A child's innocence is a precious thing. Tommy is a 4 yr. Old trying to deal, with the help of his dog, Hewbie, with his mother's alcoholism. She has many times put him in danger, a danger prevented by others and sometimes by plain luck. So, it was easy to condemn Sonya for her addiction and in the beginning to have little sympathy with her problems. As it becomes apparent that she may lose her son, and is forced to enter rehab, we see people are never only one thing. We can see the good with the bad. Maybe gain some understanding on how a mother's true love can work miracles.
A sometimes sad but Ultimately an uplifting story. A wonderful little boy, oh how I wanted to hug him, squeeze him many times. He won my heart, from the very beginning. What makes this an interesting novel is not only the struggles, but how relatable this will be for many readers struggling with different issues. Gives one hope.
A sometimes sad but Ultimately an uplifting story. A wonderful little boy, oh how I wanted to hug him, squeeze him many times. He won my heart, from the very beginning. What makes this an interesting novel is not only the struggles, but how relatable this will be for many readers struggling with different issues. Gives one hope.
December 19, 2020
Sonya Moriarty was once a successful actress but her life is now spiralling out of control into alcoholism. Her very absent father finally steps in to intervene to protect Sonya’s four year old son Tommy from some of her worst behaviour. She is to have a three month detox in a convent.
This is a powerful, raw and emotional story as you are pulled in all directions for Sonya and Tommy. Sonya is so damaged you want to help her but also to shake her to be more responsible in caring for Tommy. She has been let down so badly by people in the past that your heart aches for her especially as her love for Tommy and Herbie the dog is never in any doubt. However, her mind loops and the appearance of the ‘bad fairy’ when she’s drinking means the intervention is overdue and Tommy’s life is certainly topsy-turvy. Tommy is an adorable child and whilst Sonya is an unconventional mother you know that if she can ditch the booze she will be a magical one. This is well written story which is very well told with real impact and some beautiful descriptions, especially vivid ones of the effects of her drinking. This is heart breaking at times particularly the separation of mother and child and the anxiety they both feel for this three months makes for compelling reading.
Overall, an emotional rollercoaster of a novel which is extremely thought provoking.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (UK and NZ) for the arc for an honest review.
This is a powerful, raw and emotional story as you are pulled in all directions for Sonya and Tommy. Sonya is so damaged you want to help her but also to shake her to be more responsible in caring for Tommy. She has been let down so badly by people in the past that your heart aches for her especially as her love for Tommy and Herbie the dog is never in any doubt. However, her mind loops and the appearance of the ‘bad fairy’ when she’s drinking means the intervention is overdue and Tommy’s life is certainly topsy-turvy. Tommy is an adorable child and whilst Sonya is an unconventional mother you know that if she can ditch the booze she will be a magical one. This is well written story which is very well told with real impact and some beautiful descriptions, especially vivid ones of the effects of her drinking. This is heart breaking at times particularly the separation of mother and child and the anxiety they both feel for this three months makes for compelling reading.
Overall, an emotional rollercoaster of a novel which is extremely thought provoking.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (UK and NZ) for the arc for an honest review.
April 1, 2021
⭐️⭐️ I’m obviously in the minority here but I didn’t enjoy this book.
I found all the characters to be unlikable and difficult to engage with. The story was very slow and once Sonya got into rehab I found the storyline about her dad & Tommy going into care unrealistic.
I did start to feel sorry for Sonya in rehab but once she left the story dipped again for me. The David character didn’t make sense to me and the relationship with her dad needed something extra.
Unfortunately I didn’t like the ending either.
I found all the characters to be unlikable and difficult to engage with. The story was very slow and once Sonya got into rehab I found the storyline about her dad & Tommy going into care unrealistic.
I did start to feel sorry for Sonya in rehab but once she left the story dipped again for me. The David character didn’t make sense to me and the relationship with her dad needed something extra.
Unfortunately I didn’t like the ending either.
May 30, 2022
This was a pretty sad story. 😢 A single mother struggles with her addiction and mental health. Definitely a train wreck. 😬 But one of strength too. 😉
July 5, 2021
We connect, and the Catherine wheel is set alight, blazing. The two of us run to the farthest edge of the yard, cheeks pulsing with heat and excitement. The wheel turns, a whirling dervish cast ing its hypnotic spell, and I’m there, in the happy scene I’ve been chasing. I am eight, held high on my father’s shoulders. The fireworks display burned so brightly and boomed so loudly, the sound momentarily drowning out my internal hissing and cackling, which I hadn’t known had been a constant until that moment.
This is the author (who is also an actress and playwright)’s second novel. Her first (which I have not read) was about sex-trafficking and she has made an equally difficult and brave choice of subject here – alcoholism. As an aside I believe that one of the two girl victims in her first book is the traumatised daughter of an alcoholic mother.
The book is narrated by Sonya – the back story of who we piece together as the book progresses – although some of it remains opaque even to her.
Her mother died when she was 7-8, and, her relationship with her crushed father never really properly developed, something which, at least as she sees it, was not aided by her stepmother who also cut them off from her mother’s family.
For a time she was a successful actress, but after a couple of failed and difficult relationships, quit the stage and at the book’s start is a single mum, living on benefits in an almost claustrophobically close relationship with two others: her 4-year old son Tommy and her rescue dog Herbie. The three make a mutually dependent tight knit group, and Sonya’s wary (almost misanthropic) distrust of others (she has for example banished her father from all contact with his grandchild) – which she largely transmits to Tommy and Herbie - makes it an exclusive one.
But there is a fourth person in the relationship – alcohol – and Sonya’s relationship with that first threatens that with Tommy and Herbie and then causes – from her father, a concerned neighbour – a forceful intervention and a non-negotiated 12-week spell in a Catholic drying-out sanctuary.
We follow Sonya before, during and after her spell there – as she sees her relationship with Tommy and Herbie disintegrate, alter and then tries to reassemble it in a more sustainable fashion – with a counsellor she first encounters in the before stage, and then officially in the during phase, both easing and complicating the after stage as his own dependencies and issues emerge.
The writing is both intimate and intense – capturing both a mother/young child relationship (with shared phrases, rituals and jokes – albeit a dysfunctional and increasingly neglectful one) and Sonya struggling with her inner demons (with alcohol a cause of many of her issues but also a symptom of deeper issues going back to her mother’s unexplained death).
Over time, her lifelong fascination with lights and fire (which gives the book its title and features in my opening quote) transmits itself dangerously to Tommy.
As an aside the book was I believe originally titled “Overspill” - capturing I think the generational impact of alcoholism (which is deeper in this book than just the Tanya Tommy relationship).
Sonya’s actress past both inspires quotes and scenes from the stage to play out in her head as she contemplates her life, but also allows her to examine both the way she behaves under the influence, and the roles she needs to play to both make it through her course and convince others to return Tommy to her.
I squeeze my eyes shut. Behind my lids a kaleidoscope of various shades and patterns of darkness play out. The creatures stir and rouse themselves, a kinetic force of nature, a flock programmed to fly thousands of miles, even in inclement weather, even if they might be flying to their death. My eyes open just as my mouth does. This shouldn’t happen, not while I’m sober, and not in front of this angry, wretched boy. It’s all I can do to witness the stream of abuse I hurl at the world, the boy, who turns and observes me in a detached manner, as if he’s watching a play, and maybe he is, and I’m entirely taken over by the character I’m playing
The book will I think inevitably draw comparisons to “Shuggie Bain” (and already has in the Guardian’s 2021 Literary Fiction Preview) – although its important to point out that Bloomsbury announced the pre-emption of this book in January 2020, before Douglas Stuart’s masterpiece was even published in the UK and fully 6 months before the UK publication that lead on to its Booker win.
Although there are similarities there are differences.
In particular having a first party narrator is a very brave decision as it forces the author to put us in directly the mind of the person suffering with alcoholism – it is I think a gamble that pays off richly.
Interestingly for me: although Sonya’s life-choices will be alien to them, I think that her relationship with alcohol – and particular an almost romantic examination of the characters of the white wine she drinks - will be something that resonates a lot more closely with readers of literary fiction that Agnes Bain’s non-discriminatory cravings. In some ways it would have been interesting had this book been due for a February publication as I think it may have lead to a few Dry January’s being extended.
I do hope however that for all the differences the coincidental success of Douglas Stuart’s book helps to gain this book’s the attention it richly deserves for another both heartbreaking and yet moving and hopeful portrayal of alcohol addiction viewed through the prism of a mother/son relationship.
My thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC via NetGalley.
July 25, 2021
I was given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sonya is a single mother on benefits. Once she was an actress, surrounded by glamorous people, parties and popularity. But her life hasn’t quite gone to plan. She's now burning fishfingers, stealing food and upsetting her neighbours. She’s also an alcoholic. Struggling with addiction and motherhood, Sonya risks losing everything. It's time to focus on what's important.
I struggled to get into this book at first. The protagonist was not likeable and I didn’t relate to the way she was with her son Tommy and other people. It was clear that Sonya loved Tommy, but she was very controlling, despite believing herself to be a relaxed parent.
However I persevered and started to feel sorry for Sonya. I was interested in her experience with rehab and how she approached her ‘release’. Although I didn’t like the book, it does show how easy it is to spiral into addiction and how quickly our lives can be turned upside down. Having known a few friends experience alcoholism I did feel that the book dealt with the subject quite well.
My main issue with this book was the slow pace and lack of plot. At times it felt she was being manipulated and gaslighted by the character David, but nothing was made clear. It was difficult to know why the author chose to bring certain characters in as they really didn’t add anything. Sonya was a strong character and a compelling storyteller, but this alone was not enough to carry the book.
When the book ended I felt like there was much more to say - it was so abrupt that I actually thought I was missing a chapter or two. Nothing had been resolved. Why she was trusted with her son is beyond me. I know addiction doesn’t ever go away, but it was almost as though she was back to square one. There was no climax or conclusion and I was sadly underwhelmed.
Sonya is a single mother on benefits. Once she was an actress, surrounded by glamorous people, parties and popularity. But her life hasn’t quite gone to plan. She's now burning fishfingers, stealing food and upsetting her neighbours. She’s also an alcoholic. Struggling with addiction and motherhood, Sonya risks losing everything. It's time to focus on what's important.
I struggled to get into this book at first. The protagonist was not likeable and I didn’t relate to the way she was with her son Tommy and other people. It was clear that Sonya loved Tommy, but she was very controlling, despite believing herself to be a relaxed parent.
However I persevered and started to feel sorry for Sonya. I was interested in her experience with rehab and how she approached her ‘release’. Although I didn’t like the book, it does show how easy it is to spiral into addiction and how quickly our lives can be turned upside down. Having known a few friends experience alcoholism I did feel that the book dealt with the subject quite well.
My main issue with this book was the slow pace and lack of plot. At times it felt she was being manipulated and gaslighted by the character David, but nothing was made clear. It was difficult to know why the author chose to bring certain characters in as they really didn’t add anything. Sonya was a strong character and a compelling storyteller, but this alone was not enough to carry the book.
When the book ended I felt like there was much more to say - it was so abrupt that I actually thought I was missing a chapter or two. Nothing had been resolved. Why she was trusted with her son is beyond me. I know addiction doesn’t ever go away, but it was almost as though she was back to square one. There was no climax or conclusion and I was sadly underwhelmed.
January 6, 2022
I wanted to love this book but sorta hated it. The nonsense baby language was so hard to read through, and I feel like everything was written as an allusion. I could never tell if the bright shiny sweet bottles meant that Sonya had relapsed, abstained, or just had a dream. I get what the author was trying to do by portraying the manic mind, but the stream of consciousness just didn't work for me. Plus, nothing was really resolved or explained.
January 6, 2021
My first novel of the year and it'll be very hard to beat.
Sonya is a former actress, now a single mum back home in Ireland and suffering from spiralling alcoholism. Her whole world is her four-year-old son Tommy, their rescue dog Herbie and her desperate need for the bottle.
We follow this family through a few earth-shattering months as Sonya is forced to confront her drinking problem and is threatened with the loss of everything she holds dear.
The prose is alive, the characters are wholly convincing, the story is utterly gripping and deeply, deeply moving. A truly brilliant portrait of a family and a life in jeopardy by a ludicrously gifted writer.
Sonya is a former actress, now a single mum back home in Ireland and suffering from spiralling alcoholism. Her whole world is her four-year-old son Tommy, their rescue dog Herbie and her desperate need for the bottle.
We follow this family through a few earth-shattering months as Sonya is forced to confront her drinking problem and is threatened with the loss of everything she holds dear.
The prose is alive, the characters are wholly convincing, the story is utterly gripping and deeply, deeply moving. A truly brilliant portrait of a family and a life in jeopardy by a ludicrously gifted writer.
December 27, 2020
Bright Burning Things is an utterly compelling and beautifully written story about one woman’s journey through addiction and motherhood that I read all in one afternoon, so involved in the unfolding drama that I found it hard to put down.
Sonya is a vividly drawn and utterly engaging character, even as you see the darkness around her, the main thing you take away is the pure,unadulterated love she has for her child. Lisa Harding is a genuine wordsmith, using the power of language to bring Sonya to life, to make the reader care as deeply about what happens to her as those around her do.
Its actually a very difficult book to describe, its firmly in the “you had to be there” category, but it is completely brilliant and probably one of the most insightful and inspiring novels I have read in some time.
Highly recommended.
Sonya is a vividly drawn and utterly engaging character, even as you see the darkness around her, the main thing you take away is the pure,unadulterated love she has for her child. Lisa Harding is a genuine wordsmith, using the power of language to bring Sonya to life, to make the reader care as deeply about what happens to her as those around her do.
Its actually a very difficult book to describe, its firmly in the “you had to be there” category, but it is completely brilliant and probably one of the most insightful and inspiring novels I have read in some time.
Highly recommended.
March 6, 2021
The pacing of this book fascinates me. It's full of a nervous energy, making the intimate and personal experience of alcoholism and the recovery process feel like a thriller. The fire imagery stayed just on the right side of being on-the-nose for me. I was so on edge throughout but slowly learned to trust the protagonist as she learned to trust herself. I love that she then begins teaching her son to do the same, so that he doesn't have to spend his whole life in fear of and running from himself.
January 6, 2024
Touching, Riveting story of how lost to addiction a mother can be, yet still love her child dearly. Can this love ultimately change her actions or will it be too much of a pull for her to come back? The book just made me think deeply about this.
March 19, 2021
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.
I am sorry but I cannot find anything worthwhile to say about this book.
I am sorry but I cannot find anything worthwhile to say about this book.
April 25, 2023
I loved this, was enthralled by it, until the end - I wanted complete destruction. Why? How awful of me. It is the holidays, after all, can’t these characters have a happy ending, or a semi-redeeming one, or a not completely hopelessly heartbreaking one?
She’s an alcoholic with mental health issues, she’s a selfish mother, she’s a sick mother, she’s ruining that kid, she’s doing her best, she’s burning fish fingers and making the kid walk in the rain…and does the creepy stalking overbearing arrogant predator fuck of a counsellor even exist (no, I don’t think so, I hope not, although that means she’s hallucinating too and would that be preferable?)
I don’t know what I’m complaining about. It wasn’t really a happy ending. It can never be a happy ending. The woman is sick and hurt and broken because her parents were sick and hurt and broken (It’s coming on Christmas. They’re cutting down trees. They're putting up reindeer. And singing songs of joy and peace.).
My neighbors across the street (I call them The Griswold’s) are using the GDP of a small country to light up their house and yard with demented looking Santas and Snowmen (But it don't snow here. It stays pretty green) and it makes me wonder about these people, and people like them, because at the end of this book there’s fireworks and lights, there’s the bright burning things we were promised, and what it’s hiding and what it’s revealing (Oh, I wish I had a river, I could skate away on.).
I drank too much wine while reading this book about a woman who drinks much much much too much wine (I wish I had a river so long. I would teach my feet to fly.) and I wonder, I really do wonder, if the fact that she called while I was reading this book, she called and left a VM, that sick and hurt and broken one of mine, did it affect how I felt about the book (enriched? enhanced?) (I'm so hard to handle. I'm selfish and I'm sad.).
I think it’s funny that The Griswold’s don’t see how it looks during the day, all those giant inflatable Christmassy things dead and deflated strewn across their lawn in the bright light of day.
She’s an alcoholic with mental health issues, she’s a selfish mother, she’s a sick mother, she’s ruining that kid, she’s doing her best, she’s burning fish fingers and making the kid walk in the rain…and does the creepy stalking overbearing arrogant predator fuck of a counsellor even exist (no, I don’t think so, I hope not, although that means she’s hallucinating too and would that be preferable?)
I don’t know what I’m complaining about. It wasn’t really a happy ending. It can never be a happy ending. The woman is sick and hurt and broken because her parents were sick and hurt and broken (It’s coming on Christmas. They’re cutting down trees. They're putting up reindeer. And singing songs of joy and peace.).
My neighbors across the street (I call them The Griswold’s) are using the GDP of a small country to light up their house and yard with demented looking Santas and Snowmen (But it don't snow here. It stays pretty green) and it makes me wonder about these people, and people like them, because at the end of this book there’s fireworks and lights, there’s the bright burning things we were promised, and what it’s hiding and what it’s revealing (Oh, I wish I had a river, I could skate away on.).
I drank too much wine while reading this book about a woman who drinks much much much too much wine (I wish I had a river so long. I would teach my feet to fly.) and I wonder, I really do wonder, if the fact that she called while I was reading this book, she called and left a VM, that sick and hurt and broken one of mine, did it affect how I felt about the book (enriched? enhanced?) (I'm so hard to handle. I'm selfish and I'm sad.).
I think it’s funny that The Griswold’s don’t see how it looks during the day, all those giant inflatable Christmassy things dead and deflated strewn across their lawn in the bright light of day.
December 20, 2021
“One fire burns out another’s burning,
One pain is lessen’d by another’s anguish.” -William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Bright Burning Things tells the story of a former actress named Sonya. Sonya is a single mom to her four year old son named Tommy. Sonya is an alcoholic and she drinks heavily to avoid her painful past. Unfortunately her alcholiam has put her son in serious danger and has caused her to neglected his needs. When a neighbor and friend of Sonya’s fathers starts to notice Tommy has been put in dangerous situations and is being neglected, she informs Sonya’s father of the situation. Even though Sonya and her father have a rocky relationship, her father insists that she goes into treatment for her addiction or she could lose Tommy forever.
When I read a book that has an unlikeable main character, I pay more attention to the story. Sonya is a chaotic mess. Not only is she an alcoholic but she clearly has bipolar disorder with uncontrollable bouts of mania. She’s very selfish and diluted enough to believe that she is a good mother. But at Sonya’s core is a fierce burning love for her son Tommy. We learn part of Sonya’s history how certain events could have possibly triggered her alcoholism. At certain points I both detested Sonya but I eventually ended up rooting for her.
Bright Burning Things is such a powerful and raw story. The writing(especially the characterization) is nothing short of brilliant. Lisa Harding paints a vivid and intamite portrait on the devastation of alcholism, both on the addict and the family.
This has to be one of the more compelling books I've read recently. The pacing and writing style is filled with so much nervous energy but it works beautifully. From the first page to the last I could not put this one down.
A massive thanks to my partner Bibliolifestyle and Harper Via Books for the gifted copy!
One pain is lessen’d by another’s anguish.” -William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Bright Burning Things tells the story of a former actress named Sonya. Sonya is a single mom to her four year old son named Tommy. Sonya is an alcoholic and she drinks heavily to avoid her painful past. Unfortunately her alcholiam has put her son in serious danger and has caused her to neglected his needs. When a neighbor and friend of Sonya’s fathers starts to notice Tommy has been put in dangerous situations and is being neglected, she informs Sonya’s father of the situation. Even though Sonya and her father have a rocky relationship, her father insists that she goes into treatment for her addiction or she could lose Tommy forever.
When I read a book that has an unlikeable main character, I pay more attention to the story. Sonya is a chaotic mess. Not only is she an alcoholic but she clearly has bipolar disorder with uncontrollable bouts of mania. She’s very selfish and diluted enough to believe that she is a good mother. But at Sonya’s core is a fierce burning love for her son Tommy. We learn part of Sonya’s history how certain events could have possibly triggered her alcoholism. At certain points I both detested Sonya but I eventually ended up rooting for her.
Bright Burning Things is such a powerful and raw story. The writing(especially the characterization) is nothing short of brilliant. Lisa Harding paints a vivid and intamite portrait on the devastation of alcholism, both on the addict and the family.
This has to be one of the more compelling books I've read recently. The pacing and writing style is filled with so much nervous energy but it works beautifully. From the first page to the last I could not put this one down.
A massive thanks to my partner Bibliolifestyle and Harper Via Books for the gifted copy!
August 30, 2021
- thanks to @bloomsburypublishing for my copy
I picked up Bright Burning Things simply because the cover has Lisa Taddeo’s recommendation and praise on it. So, of course, I irremediably went into it with high expectations because I simply cannot regulate myself when it comes to books, like, ever. Sadly, I did not enjoy Harding’s latest novel as much as I would have liked to.
It took longer than what I’m usually comfortable with to get into this story. Being trapped in Sonya’s head was not the most pleasant experience, at least not initially. I had to invest a lot of brainpower to begin to understand who she really was, as it was difficult to determine even if she really loved her son and her dog.
Although the evidence of her alcohol dependency and her struggles in raising her son are clear, as there is no doubt she is a traumatised woman in need of help and support, it’s never clear why. Sonya has a presumably troubled past that put her in her current situation; however, what actually happened to her is never explored or developed. It is challenging to emphatise with a character that is not fully constructed, and pretending that the reader fills in the gaps with zero information is presumptuous at best.
I also struggled with the lack of solid plot and the so many unbelievably missed opportunities. Plot-wise, nothing truly happens: Sonya struggles, goes to rehab and comes back. In addition, the abrupt and anti-climactic ending did not add anything substantial: in fact, it made me feel deeply unsatisfied. The author also chose not to explore Sonya’s experience in rehab in deeper detail, which would have made a significant difference.
However, I must remark that the writing style was poetic, nuanced and provocative. Sonya’s yearning for her son was absolutely palpable halfway through the novel, although I would have loved to connect with her from beginning to end.
Overall, Bright Burning Things was not the stunning novel I was hoping for. The beautiful writing style and the underdeveloped plot and characterisation left me with a bittersweet taste. I’m positive I will be giving Harding another try in the future.
I picked up Bright Burning Things simply because the cover has Lisa Taddeo’s recommendation and praise on it. So, of course, I irremediably went into it with high expectations because I simply cannot regulate myself when it comes to books, like, ever. Sadly, I did not enjoy Harding’s latest novel as much as I would have liked to.
It took longer than what I’m usually comfortable with to get into this story. Being trapped in Sonya’s head was not the most pleasant experience, at least not initially. I had to invest a lot of brainpower to begin to understand who she really was, as it was difficult to determine even if she really loved her son and her dog.
Although the evidence of her alcohol dependency and her struggles in raising her son are clear, as there is no doubt she is a traumatised woman in need of help and support, it’s never clear why. Sonya has a presumably troubled past that put her in her current situation; however, what actually happened to her is never explored or developed. It is challenging to emphatise with a character that is not fully constructed, and pretending that the reader fills in the gaps with zero information is presumptuous at best.
I also struggled with the lack of solid plot and the so many unbelievably missed opportunities. Plot-wise, nothing truly happens: Sonya struggles, goes to rehab and comes back. In addition, the abrupt and anti-climactic ending did not add anything substantial: in fact, it made me feel deeply unsatisfied. The author also chose not to explore Sonya’s experience in rehab in deeper detail, which would have made a significant difference.
However, I must remark that the writing style was poetic, nuanced and provocative. Sonya’s yearning for her son was absolutely palpable halfway through the novel, although I would have loved to connect with her from beginning to end.
Overall, Bright Burning Things was not the stunning novel I was hoping for. The beautiful writing style and the underdeveloped plot and characterisation left me with a bittersweet taste. I’m positive I will be giving Harding another try in the future.
Read
November 13, 2025DNF 54%
February 12, 2022
I unfortunately have a very hard time expressing exactly how I feel when writing a review. All I know is that this book moved me, and I felt so very deeply for that of the character of Sonya.
I had a hard time reading this book, as I experienced too many triggers from my own life in this story. I also resonated with that of Sonya’s character as it was obvious she never had any type of support system, and had to learn everything and navigate through life on her own. Was she a bad person? No. Did she make some horrible choices? Yes. There are some people that have to live and learn, and unfortunately there’s many of us that learn the hard way.
Since it’s clear in the synopsis that Sonya had an alcohol problem (addiction), I think the problem arose because she was self medicating. Change and constant memories can really affect a person. Sonya didn’t have any family that supported her or ever took her side, and they lied to her constantly. As I said, this was a tough story to read.
I definitely recommend reading Bright Burning Things, but be forewarned that this may tend to be a bit of a depressing read. This is a book that I won’t be forgetting soon, and I plan on reading more from this author.
I had a hard time reading this book, as I experienced too many triggers from my own life in this story. I also resonated with that of Sonya’s character as it was obvious she never had any type of support system, and had to learn everything and navigate through life on her own. Was she a bad person? No. Did she make some horrible choices? Yes. There are some people that have to live and learn, and unfortunately there’s many of us that learn the hard way.
Since it’s clear in the synopsis that Sonya had an alcohol problem (addiction), I think the problem arose because she was self medicating. Change and constant memories can really affect a person. Sonya didn’t have any family that supported her or ever took her side, and they lied to her constantly. As I said, this was a tough story to read.
I definitely recommend reading Bright Burning Things, but be forewarned that this may tend to be a bit of a depressing read. This is a book that I won’t be forgetting soon, and I plan on reading more from this author.
February 25, 2022
Very rarely do I absolutely hate a book once I’ve finished reading. I can’t even remember the last time I did before this moment. Let me start off by saying that this book had the bones of a great story. Instead it’s a warped narrative from an abusive, alcoholic mother that gets her way by doing the bare minimum. She goes to rehab, because she’s forced to, yet sobriety doesn’t come full circle. She attempts to be a better mother to her 4 year old son, but continues to demonstrate how worthless she is. She disregards every system set in place. The character development is minuscule. The plot is thin. The writing style is equal parts irritating and adolescent. With most books that I don’t feel confident in at the start, the ending makes up for it all. For that reason, I hardly ever DNF. That said, I regret not walking away from this one at the first sign of regret.
I have been in shock seeing how highly this book has been rated by others. I’ll take whatever it is you’re all on.
I have been in shock seeing how highly this book has been rated by others. I’ll take whatever it is you’re all on.
December 21, 2021
This may be the most beautiful cover I’ve ever built a post around. The gold and the pink shimmer in the light. I thought about how perfectly the cover encapsulates this story - with swirls of iridescent color and undefined edges. Turns out, there is an entry in the back discussing this exact thing. I loved that the cover artist talked about her choice:
“…the story of a woman named Sonya coming undone, dimming and flickering after a life ablaze.”
- Alicia Tatone
This is truly an emotionally engaging, heartbreaking, uncomfortable and absolutely breathtaking read. It won’t be for everyone- the subjects of alcoholism, mental illness and a child being taken away will be too hard for some. But if you can tackle those subject- I recommend this book so highly.
This book explores the mind space of a woman deep in the throws of alcoholism and mental illness, trying to raise her son. Her love for him is vast, consuming and touches on obsession. She is forced to face herself and her situation when she enters rehab.
I’m not going to go into the plot anymore- I will just say that when I put the book down, I was full of fear for the situation, but also full of hope and a wish for this to work with all of my being.
The writing is amazing and descriptive, colorful and engaging. I could feel every regret, every manic thought, every hope and every disappointment.
“I think I feel things, then feel things I can’t conceive of - I try to hide them in a box and tie them neatly with a ribbon, but the ribbon is satin-slippery, and unravels, and the box opens.”
I loved this book and read it in 2 days. This is the perfect example of a character-driven story showing gritty, honest depictions of tough subject. Exactly my cup of tea. If that is yours too- grab this one immediately!
Thank you to partners @bibliolifestyle, @harpervia and @lisaharding. Pub date: 12.7.21
“…the story of a woman named Sonya coming undone, dimming and flickering after a life ablaze.”
- Alicia Tatone
This is truly an emotionally engaging, heartbreaking, uncomfortable and absolutely breathtaking read. It won’t be for everyone- the subjects of alcoholism, mental illness and a child being taken away will be too hard for some. But if you can tackle those subject- I recommend this book so highly.
This book explores the mind space of a woman deep in the throws of alcoholism and mental illness, trying to raise her son. Her love for him is vast, consuming and touches on obsession. She is forced to face herself and her situation when she enters rehab.
I’m not going to go into the plot anymore- I will just say that when I put the book down, I was full of fear for the situation, but also full of hope and a wish for this to work with all of my being.
The writing is amazing and descriptive, colorful and engaging. I could feel every regret, every manic thought, every hope and every disappointment.
“I think I feel things, then feel things I can’t conceive of - I try to hide them in a box and tie them neatly with a ribbon, but the ribbon is satin-slippery, and unravels, and the box opens.”
I loved this book and read it in 2 days. This is the perfect example of a character-driven story showing gritty, honest depictions of tough subject. Exactly my cup of tea. If that is yours too- grab this one immediately!
Thank you to partners @bibliolifestyle, @harpervia and @lisaharding. Pub date: 12.7.21
January 21, 2022
Well done.
Full review to come.
Thank you to Libro FM, Harper Audio & Lisa Harding for a #gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review.
4 ⭐️.
Full review to come.
Thank you to Libro FM, Harper Audio & Lisa Harding for a #gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review.
4 ⭐️.
December 1, 2021
this story was... overwhelming, but at the same time, kind of enjoyable, as wrong as that could sound. the amount of emotions that i went through in the 3 days i read this were countless. it was really powerful, the way the author described each feeling was just mesmerizing. loved the way she constructed each character, all of them being intriguing and complex. so glad i got to read this, dont think i'll ever forget it. also, jimmy has a soft spot in my heart from now on.
alcoholism is hard to portray since i do think it could be easily generalized and stereotyped, but the author did an amazing job, as someone who had close ones suffer from this (first or second hand) it hit the spot.
thank u netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book !! (e-arc)
alcoholism is hard to portray since i do think it could be easily generalized and stereotyped, but the author did an amazing job, as someone who had close ones suffer from this (first or second hand) it hit the spot.
thank u netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book !! (e-arc)
April 10, 2023
Main character, is struggling with motherhood, with being a single parent and utilizes alcohol, as a means of surviving the day today and quieting the manic and intrusive thoughts. This is a heartbreaking yet accurate portrayal of mental illness, alcoholism and the struggles of motherhood.
I honestly really enjoyed this, heavy topics were explored but the main character, Anya had wit and charm kept things lite enough. As a mother of similar age kids this pulled at my heart, made me feel a lot of emotions-a huge mix of anxiety, frustration, relief, and sadness. It felt impossible to put down as I desperately felt the need to know how the story was going to end.
Unfortunately, the ending. Ugh, the ending was hard for me as it felt so incomplete. I’m sure that was an intentional choice but I struggled with it.
I don’t think this book will be for everyone, it’s a hard topic and depending on your feelings and mood around addiction this could be triggering. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the rollercoaster this book brought me on.
I honestly really enjoyed this, heavy topics were explored but the main character, Anya had wit and charm kept things lite enough. As a mother of similar age kids this pulled at my heart, made me feel a lot of emotions-a huge mix of anxiety, frustration, relief, and sadness. It felt impossible to put down as I desperately felt the need to know how the story was going to end.
Unfortunately, the ending. Ugh, the ending was hard for me as it felt so incomplete. I’m sure that was an intentional choice but I struggled with it.
I don’t think this book will be for everyone, it’s a hard topic and depending on your feelings and mood around addiction this could be triggering. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the rollercoaster this book brought me on.
August 26, 2022
Wow wow wow.
This book is really going to stick with me and haunt me for years to come.
I've been thinking about it on and off for days. It was all at once poetic and heartbreaking and disgusting and devastating.
I did the audio and the author narrated. It was absolutely incredible. Her accent was really lyrical and the novel reads like poetry - I honestly felt like I was at a poetry slam. Her voice for Tommy was perfection and I was so invested and enthralled.
The first 25% of the novel was incredibly hard (honestly the whole book was pretty hard) and I had to pause often and step away. As a mother, there were moments that I just couldn't bear hearing about Tommy's treatment and his mother's addiction and neglect. I think the low ratings are likely reflective of this part of the book because it absolutely is so hard to get through. However, for me, that's the sign of a really talented author when their words and story can so deeply impact the reader.
There was one part of the novel while Sonya is in rehab and a man is speaking and she thinks that all of these damaged men were products of mothers like her. It was just so profound and so crushing. I know I'll think about that moment a lot. It hits home knowing what an impact your behaviors and decisions have on your children.
There's something really beautiful about this dark story - Sonya's love for her son is palpable. But her sickness is also so deep that she just can't take care of him or herself or even their pets. My heart hurts just thinking about this novel and thinking about how this is a reality for so many families.
This is a very hard read, but wow, it's so worth it.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the copy.
This book is really going to stick with me and haunt me for years to come.
I've been thinking about it on and off for days. It was all at once poetic and heartbreaking and disgusting and devastating.
I did the audio and the author narrated. It was absolutely incredible. Her accent was really lyrical and the novel reads like poetry - I honestly felt like I was at a poetry slam. Her voice for Tommy was perfection and I was so invested and enthralled.
The first 25% of the novel was incredibly hard (honestly the whole book was pretty hard) and I had to pause often and step away. As a mother, there were moments that I just couldn't bear hearing about Tommy's treatment and his mother's addiction and neglect. I think the low ratings are likely reflective of this part of the book because it absolutely is so hard to get through. However, for me, that's the sign of a really talented author when their words and story can so deeply impact the reader.
There was one part of the novel while Sonya is in rehab and a man is speaking and she thinks that all of these damaged men were products of mothers like her. It was just so profound and so crushing. I know I'll think about that moment a lot. It hits home knowing what an impact your behaviors and decisions have on your children.
There's something really beautiful about this dark story - Sonya's love for her son is palpable. But her sickness is also so deep that she just can't take care of him or herself or even their pets. My heart hurts just thinking about this novel and thinking about how this is a reality for so many families.
This is a very hard read, but wow, it's so worth it.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the copy.
December 13, 2021
Incredible! I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time. I’ll start by saying, the only hurdle I had was that Sonya was difficult at first to understand, but as I got to know her she had quite an affect on me.
I felt an extreme weight of sadness for Sonya and Tommy, her 4 yr. old son. As appalling as she is as a mother, she’s also in full blow addiction — an alcoholic that only thinks of her next drink. You can feel that she truly loves her child, but desperately needs help. With her addiction, Sonya has repeated bad decisions, dangerous situations, and ruined her relationships.
“Sonya is forced to make a choice. Give up drinking or lose Tommy—forever.”
Lisa Harding has shown us the true paralysis of alcoholism, the day to day struggles in the life of an alcoholic. This is an incredibly powerful and moving novel that brings out the most unsettling feelings. Bright Burning Things is raw and intense, immersing me 100% into seeing addiction from a completely different perspective. Hopefully this book will help others look at addiction from a different viewpoint too.
*Caution for triggers
Much thanks to HarperVia and NetGalley for kindly providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I felt an extreme weight of sadness for Sonya and Tommy, her 4 yr. old son. As appalling as she is as a mother, she’s also in full blow addiction — an alcoholic that only thinks of her next drink. You can feel that she truly loves her child, but desperately needs help. With her addiction, Sonya has repeated bad decisions, dangerous situations, and ruined her relationships.
“Sonya is forced to make a choice. Give up drinking or lose Tommy—forever.”
Lisa Harding has shown us the true paralysis of alcoholism, the day to day struggles in the life of an alcoholic. This is an incredibly powerful and moving novel that brings out the most unsettling feelings. Bright Burning Things is raw and intense, immersing me 100% into seeing addiction from a completely different perspective. Hopefully this book will help others look at addiction from a different viewpoint too.
*Caution for triggers
Much thanks to HarperVia and NetGalley for kindly providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2022
As a recovered alcoholic, I like books about addiction and recovery. Shuggie Bain was one of my favorite reads of last year. So when this book was recommended to me, I put it on hold at my library. As someone who has been through recovery, I can be picky about how the author presents the process, and I do have some qualms with this book; however, I do think it's a worthwhile read.
One thing I think the author gets right is capturing the mindset of the addict. In Sonya, Harding has created a character that is conflicted and struggling. The book is told in first person, and the prose is fluid in a way that verges on stream of consciousness. This is not done to the extreme; this is not Virginia Woolf. But we do get a sense of how Sonya's imaginary life often blurs with her real one, and how this causes a great deal of stress and anxiety to her, leading her to drink.
This book does not go deeply into the mechanics of recovery. She doesn't focus a lot on the minutes of meetings and of sharing. Sonya doesn't do a lot of calling on the phone, and she seems resistant to help, things I personally found crucial in my recovery. However, the author does a very good job portraying Sonya's struggle to find a higher power, and her attempt to isolate what that power outside of herself is.
My main issues with the book are in how the two main conflicts are resolved. One is with David, a man who seems to be her knight in shining armor at first, but quickly descends into creepiness. And the second is with her distant father and her controlling stepmother. Both of these conflicts are resolved too quickly and too easily. I will not say more to avoid spoilers, but I didn't buy either one, and I think this is my main problem with this book.
Overall, I think this is a solid book about an alcoholic struggling to recover. However, it is not as transcendant or as moving as Shuggie Bain.
One thing I think the author gets right is capturing the mindset of the addict. In Sonya, Harding has created a character that is conflicted and struggling. The book is told in first person, and the prose is fluid in a way that verges on stream of consciousness. This is not done to the extreme; this is not Virginia Woolf. But we do get a sense of how Sonya's imaginary life often blurs with her real one, and how this causes a great deal of stress and anxiety to her, leading her to drink.
This book does not go deeply into the mechanics of recovery. She doesn't focus a lot on the minutes of meetings and of sharing. Sonya doesn't do a lot of calling on the phone, and she seems resistant to help, things I personally found crucial in my recovery. However, the author does a very good job portraying Sonya's struggle to find a higher power, and her attempt to isolate what that power outside of herself is.
My main issues with the book are in how the two main conflicts are resolved. One is with David, a man who seems to be her knight in shining armor at first, but quickly descends into creepiness. And the second is with her distant father and her controlling stepmother. Both of these conflicts are resolved too quickly and too easily. I will not say more to avoid spoilers, but I didn't buy either one, and I think this is my main problem with this book.
Overall, I think this is a solid book about an alcoholic struggling to recover. However, it is not as transcendant or as moving as Shuggie Bain.
March 2, 2021
Do you ever read a story that is so distressing that it seems a crime to say it was enjoyable? At times this story was so unnerving it made my skin crawl. It's powerful and emotive, and at times the descriptions were so distressing and raw that I could feel my throat clog up.
This story focuses on Sonya, an actress who has since fallen victim to alcoholism and struggles to look after her four-year-old son Tommy and dog Herbie. Things become so bad that soon her father, and a meddling neighbour, are forced to intervene for the sake of Tommy's welfare. During a three month stint on a rehab style course at a local convent, Sonya struggles to detox from alcohol which has been her crutch for so long and is forced to face some harsh realities about her life and her character.
The themes themselves are challenging and Harding is brave in her approach, especially with the way it handles the disintegration of relationships addiction can cause. It's a fascinating look at how damaging an upbringing under the alcoholic influence can be, and there are real moments of distress particularly when Sonya is separated from her son. I loved the visceral and tainted perspective that Sonya had of the world from her own upbringing, and the effect of the 'bad fairy' when she had been drinking was emotional and convincingly handled. There is a delicate hand used to describe the suffering the family encounters and the result is a moving, enchantingly sincere, all-encompassing alive piece of text.
This is both intricately intense and fast-paced, whilst being soothing and sincere at moments, showing how quickly the change and effect Sonya's addiction has on her maternal feelings.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing UK for the ARC
This story focuses on Sonya, an actress who has since fallen victim to alcoholism and struggles to look after her four-year-old son Tommy and dog Herbie. Things become so bad that soon her father, and a meddling neighbour, are forced to intervene for the sake of Tommy's welfare. During a three month stint on a rehab style course at a local convent, Sonya struggles to detox from alcohol which has been her crutch for so long and is forced to face some harsh realities about her life and her character.
The themes themselves are challenging and Harding is brave in her approach, especially with the way it handles the disintegration of relationships addiction can cause. It's a fascinating look at how damaging an upbringing under the alcoholic influence can be, and there are real moments of distress particularly when Sonya is separated from her son. I loved the visceral and tainted perspective that Sonya had of the world from her own upbringing, and the effect of the 'bad fairy' when she had been drinking was emotional and convincingly handled. There is a delicate hand used to describe the suffering the family encounters and the result is a moving, enchantingly sincere, all-encompassing alive piece of text.
This is both intricately intense and fast-paced, whilst being soothing and sincere at moments, showing how quickly the change and effect Sonya's addiction has on her maternal feelings.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing UK for the ARC
February 18, 2024
This book was so raw and real, and then bam... That ending just was like, WTF kind of ending was that? It was like the disappointment I felt with Verity, but worse.
Parts of this book were painful to read. My heart was hurting so much for Tommy and for Sonya. I felt pain for all of those battling mental health and addiction. I know this is not an individual case where someone is sent back into the "real" world without feeling adequately prepared for it. This is also quite common with the prison system.
I can't say that I liked Sonya, but I didn't hate her. I mostly just felt bad at her lack of adequate support and coping. I wish she was able to expose someone who had abused their position. I wish she could have had someone to assist her in the future.
The ending is real. Things could be good or bad or in between. Anything could happen, I guess.
Overall, I thought Lisa Harding did a great job capturing psychological emotions, and I would LOVE to read a Psych Thriller from her.
3 Stars
Parts of this book were painful to read. My heart was hurting so much for Tommy and for Sonya. I felt pain for all of those battling mental health and addiction. I know this is not an individual case where someone is sent back into the "real" world without feeling adequately prepared for it. This is also quite common with the prison system.
I can't say that I liked Sonya, but I didn't hate her. I mostly just felt bad at her lack of adequate support and coping. I wish she was able to expose someone who had abused their position. I wish she could have had someone to assist her in the future.
The ending is real. Things could be good or bad or in between. Anything could happen, I guess.
Overall, I thought Lisa Harding did a great job capturing psychological emotions, and I would LOVE to read a Psych Thriller from her.
3 Stars
February 11, 2022
I really don’t understand why all the build up, we learn of an alcohol addict and her son, whom she is clearly not suitable to care for. To getting help, getting him back, but she’s is STILL CLEARLY NOT SUITABLE. Neither is the child sane.
What was that ending?! WHAT?!
What was that ending?! WHAT?!
January 13, 2022
I recently listened to 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 by Lisa Harding, and wow! Everyone who listens to audiobooks knows that the narrator can make a book shine. Most of us also get a little nervous when the author is the narrator, as they too often sound stiff and lack the right emotions. Not so with Lisa Harding. Her narration was frenzied, passionate, and pretty much amazing.
Hers is an intense story of Sonya, a young woman who once was an actress, but whose life has been in a downward spiral for a long time. She has a 4-year old son who she adores, but the care she gives him is abysmal because she has a competing love…alcohol. Sonya can down three bottles of wine a night, she blacks out, she forgets to buy food, she scares little Tommy. She’s pushed everyone else out of her world. Everyday she vows she’ll stop, but by the evening the lure is too great. Throughout 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, the reader follows Sonya’s manic journey as she strives to get a handle on her life and become the mother she wants to be for Tommy.
I’m not sure if I’d have enjoyed this book as much in print because I can't imagine my reading could have brought the energy and mania to Harding’s words in the brilliant way she did narrating. It’s what brought the book to life for me. I cringed, I smiled, I cheered, all for Sonya as Harding revealed her world, her heart to the listener. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Hers is an intense story of Sonya, a young woman who once was an actress, but whose life has been in a downward spiral for a long time. She has a 4-year old son who she adores, but the care she gives him is abysmal because she has a competing love…alcohol. Sonya can down three bottles of wine a night, she blacks out, she forgets to buy food, she scares little Tommy. She’s pushed everyone else out of her world. Everyday she vows she’ll stop, but by the evening the lure is too great. Throughout 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, the reader follows Sonya’s manic journey as she strives to get a handle on her life and become the mother she wants to be for Tommy.
I’m not sure if I’d have enjoyed this book as much in print because I can't imagine my reading could have brought the energy and mania to Harding’s words in the brilliant way she did narrating. It’s what brought the book to life for me. I cringed, I smiled, I cheered, all for Sonya as Harding revealed her world, her heart to the listener. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
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