When Karen Campbell begins her book This Bright Life by introducing a 12 yr old boy and an 80+ yrs old woman in successive chapters, you know their fates will be intricately intertwined. Just one mistake from the lad, an accident that nearly costs the old woman her life, we have the story rolling on. Gerard is going to enter secondary school soon, he hates his name - often construed to bully him - Gerard, the retard, or ‘gaytard’ etc . Even as he worries what nicknames will cling to him or get added in the new school year, his house’s deplorable condition hurts him, mixes him with fear, anger and anxiety, lots of emotions that his young shoulders shudder to carry at once. At home, there is a hungry younger brother waiting for food, a baby sister waiting for her red bum with dried potty sticking to it to be cleaned. Gerard’s mother is addicted to drugs, knocked out all the time and unavailable to her children. Outside home, there is a man with a strange tattoo whose presence is intimidating and asks about some money his mother is aware of. In the moments the mother is awake, she doesn't fail to point out that Gerard is all grown up, he is the eldest and has to shoulder responsibilities. There is a mix of fury, hatred, pity and love that Gerard’s mother elicits from him.
Margaret is about 84 yrs old, staying alone in her ground floor tenement, yet to come to terms with the death of her husband Albert. Claire, a recently divorced lawyer, new to Dennistoun, a residential district in Glasgow(where the novel is set), is struggling to settle down into a routine filled with work and plagued by loneliness. Gerard’s penury pushes him to commit a mistake and Margaret is his victim and Claire, the witness to the folly is a kinda glue who connects these two characters.

On a child’s bruised growing up years where a father isn't physically present and a mother emotionally or mentally unavailable, this book has parts so bleak that you feel like putting your hand into the book and giving Gerard a tight hug. But the world that shoves tragedy and challenges into your face also dries your tears and brightens it up thanks to some angels, this the book asserts convincingly, not without drama. The accident opens up secrets hitherto unknown, truths that need to be swallowed like a bitter pills for Gerard, Margaret and Claire. Read this novel that stands true to its title to know more and how.

The last three chapters lend a beautiful sense of closure, there is hope to start life anew, hope that one will be excused for their past follies, a tender assurance that despite failures, regrets, bleak and depressing patches in one’s life, there is always a second chance, something to make life bright. It's here that the book scores several points after a remarkably slow progress.

Though the language itself was a little difficult to get into, the prose explodes with expletives, the emotions are portrayed so well that they make you go weak in your knees. The novel undoubtedly shows how a big heart and lots of courage is needed to apologise and to forgive.

There are some beautiful lines that I will take back with me from this book -
“Sorry. Such a little word. You can pad it out with all manner of superlatives: deeply, abjectly. Pepper it with so, so, so. But it’s worthless, if not accepted.”

“Margaret never wanted to repeat the mistakes of her own mother. Which of course, you’re destined to do: DNA stitching and looping back. Love in a chain stitch. Until someone breaks the chain.”
“Solitude is a place of calm escape. Loneliness is spikes on the outside, and yearning within.”
“Nothing is unconditional. Everything is impermanent. So you should never assume.”

A tender novel that throbs with humanity , compassion and hope. Thank you Netgalley and Canongate Books for the copy.

This Bright Life was a life- affirming and deeply moving story about a family broken apart by trauma and addiction.

Gerard is a young boy who's been through more than anyone should ever have to endure. Responsible for his two younger siblings he has a huge responsibility placed on his young shoulders. One fateful decision changes everyone's lives.

Margaret is an elderly lady who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The events of the fateful day affect her life too.

And yet, from the worst of times, comes the chance to turn lives around. To face the past and find a way to forgive. Not only others, but themselves.

Gerard was my absolute hero, I wanted to reach in and give him the love and compassion he so deserved.

When his auntie entered the story I was so happy. I understand the need for just one person to understand you and be the person you've needed. And Auntie Ran was awesome.

This book has the biggest heart and the most beautiful writing. Whilst deeply sad, there is also such a joyful and optimistic ending that made me feel so warm and happy.

I first encountered Karen Campbell’s raw, urgent writing in Paper Cup, which stunned me with the depth of its honesty, compassion and understanding of the human psyche. I expected more of the same in This Bright Life. And happily, she delivered. In spades.
Set in Glasgow, a city and its people that Campbell brings vibrantly, intimately to life, it is the story of the transformation wrought on the lives of three people through a serendipitous crossing of paths.
Twelve-year-old Gerard carries the weight of the world upon his shoulders. Bright and spirited, but with a neglectful mother battling addiction, and a younger brother and baby sister relying on him, life is a delicate balancing act.
When he makes a desperate decision to steal a purse to provide for his family, the consequences are immediate and far-reaching, not just for Gerard but also for the victim, Margaret, an elderly widow, and Claire, the passerby who turns him into the police.
What follows, when Gerard is separated from his siblings and all three taken into care, makes at times for difficult reading. His voice — that of a child trying to be a man — cuts to the quick, veering from feelings of confusion and isolation to surprise and gratitude for every small kindness.
While Gerard’s story is undoubtedly the beating heart of the narrative, that of Margaret and Claire’s unexpected alliance is equally poignant. I loved the way all three characters intersected, capturing themes of empathy and redemption, as well as the healing power of kindness and the resilience of the human spirit.
What made this novel such a standout for me, though, was Campbell’s prose. She writes with tremendous urgency and clarity, displaying an unfiltered passion for her characters. It’s a style that propels the narrative along at a breathtaking pace, and one I find utterly compelling.
If you loved Shuggie Bain, then this is another Glaswegian story you shouldn’t miss.

I stayed up until about 3am finishing this, I didn't want to put it down. As much as I enjoyed (and would recommend) Paper Cup by this author, I can say I preferred this.

Campbell's writing is so addictive & I love how she adds in little bits of humour to keep the general vibe light even when the main plot is pretty heavy at times, it all balances out really well. I loved the dual POVs in each chapter, I never once felt confused or lost whilst reading, it all just fitted to the story perfectly & made it easier to become attached to the characters. The Scottish dialect throughout never felt overdone, it made every character we meet in the story feel so real which just heightened the emotions right till the end.

The characters themselves were really well fleshed out, they each had their own stuff going on & were complex because of this but also so likeable— even our main protagonist Gerard, I couldn't help but feel sorry for & had so much hope for him, especially in the last chapter which left me with a hard lump in my throat.

I can't give a proper reason as to why I'm not rating this a full five stars; I think there was just something more I personally wanted from it but it's still a strong heartwarming story & I'd definitely recommend to anyone needing a great pick-me-up of a book.

Thank you Canongate & Netgalley for my free eARC!

I previously enjoyed Paper Cup by this author, but for me this book shone brighter.
Listened to the audio format for this book, and I adored it. Caroline Guthrie the narrator does a sublime job.
Gerard stole my heart. He had the world on his shoulders and it broke my heart how he was desperate to provide for his siblings in the absence of his drug addict mother.
I listened to this so quickly, I loved it so much.

I was really moved reading this book.The author gets into the mind of twelve year old Gerard so well. The three main characters and their stories interlock and are brought to life so well.The unfairness of being born into an unfortunate family resonates. It is emotional A definite recommendation to read

After loving Paper Cup by this author, I was delighted to read this book.
Gerard and Margaret’s back stories are both heart breaking and when their world’s collide for the briefest of seconds, this book is born.
This is a story of emotion, grief, poverty and so much more. You will want to cry for so many of these characters and their lives. A truly brilliant read!

An insightful and educational read about the disenfranchised and the consequences of decisions. If you can get used to the Glasgow dialect you'll find it flows better. I'm not sure I'd use the word enjoy but nonetheless a worthwhile read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc!

This book was interesting enough to hold my attention while I was reading but I didn’t immediately want to keep picking it up!

Overall it was a good read

This book sets out a hugely challenging canvas for its three protagonists, one young, one middle-aged and one elderly, who each suffer personal trauma. The child protagonist is a 12 year old boy by the name of Gerard. He grows up on the streets of Glasgow marked by poverty and gang fare. The oldest child of a drug-addicted mother, he tries his hardest to look after his younger siblings, and to survive at school where he is additionally stigmatised because of his dyslexia. The middle-aged protagonist is a lawyer and recent divorcee by the name of Claire who has recently moved to the area after leaving her previous home to her ex-husband and his new family. The elderly protagonist is Margaret, recently widowed, who is estranged from her son in Australia and becomes the victim of a vicious mugging. How these three disparate characters are related, and what fates they suffer as a result of Social Services and their unique circumstances, becomes clear as the reader works their way through the gritty but clear-faced writing that Karen Campbell offers over the ensuing pages. The insertion of Glaswegian dialect adds to the authenticity of her characters, and the overall novel is challenging but ultimately life-affirming. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for this free ARC that allowed me to familiarise myself with Karen Campbell’s writing and to produce this honest and unbiased book review.

One of those books where you can’t wait to get to the end of the story to discover what happens but you could cry when you do finish it because you enjoyed the read so much. Three tales in one with characters you really get to know yet want to know more. I’m not sure there’s a follow on but I hope there just might be.

I love the writing style of Karen Campbell and think she writes so beautifully.

This is the story of wee 12 year old Gerard, big brother to Anthony and baby Miranda. Their Mum has addiction issues and life at homes very chaotic.

One day he decides he needs to get some money to pay for the meter, new nappies and food and makes a decision that alters his life in so many ways

It's a story about three main characters, wee Gerard, newly divorced Claire and widowed Margaret;
who are all just trying to navigate life as best as they can in their neighbourhood

Gerard has the weight of the world on his shoulders and finds it hard to trust and is unsure of people's intention. All three of them have their guard up in some way due to a loss and it's a story of letting go of the hurt and disappointments in order to feel human.

I found it profoundly moving.

"It is the tiniest gesture, yet it threatens to ripple through his ribcage"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Richly emotional and steeped in compassion. Karen Campbell’s novel is a meditation on loss, recovery, and what it means to start again. Deeply human and beautifully written—this story shines in its quiet moments of connection.

This Bright Life tells the tale of different characters who are finding their way through difficult times; 11 year old Gerald, Middle Age Claire and the elderly Margaret. What a triumvirate they are.

Karen Campbell has created characters that are full of flaws, but incredibly loveable. The novel has such a wonderful sense of place, both through the descriptions of the various parts of Glasgow and even more so in the voice of the characters.

I fell in love with them all, including so many side characters like Anthony, Miranda, Alistair and Kriss. They all intertwine to share stories of loss and live that will speak to everyone. Im incredibly grateful to have had a chance to read such a heartwarming tale.

First of all, I merely share a name with the author. I genuinely wish I had half her talent!
Secondly, thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this book.
A young boy from a dreadful home background, appallingly neglected by his mother- an addict- and carer for his younger siblings.
A newly divorced woman, fearful and angry about what her new future holds.
An elderly widow, lonely and insular.
A desperate act by Gerard (he hates that name!) starts a series of events which cause their three lives to become intertwined.
Born and raised in a tenement in Glasgow ( a ‘Room-And-Kitchen’, though we were ‘posh’ enough to have an indoor loo), I still think of myself as a Glaswegian, though I’ve not lived there for over forty years, I love KC’s descriptions of the City. She captures its personality to a T.
Trying to describe how good this book is is so difficult…..KC writes her characters ‘from the inside out’. They become real people. You share Margaret’s fear and loneliness, and Claire’s uncertainty, but seeing the world from Gerard’s point of view…….it could tear your heart out.
I don’t want to get too gushy…so I’ll just say I loved this book.

As in her previous book, Paper Cup, Karen Campbell is brilliant at portraying characters and lives that slip under the radar and voices that are too often drowned out or misunderstood. She writes with empathy and understanding and this is a book that will capture many hearts. Recommended.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me an early copy of this book.

Gerard is a 12 year old growing up in Glasgow with a drug dependent mother. He’s trying to be responsible by looking after his sibling, but makes a poor decision which turns his world upside down.

This was an emotional, hopeful book, and it was insightful to learn about fostering, broken families and the power of kindness. Lots of Glaswegian dialect which was new to me and which I enjoyed being exposed to.

A well written, heartwarming, coming of age story which I would recommend.

I am so grateful to the team at Canongate, as well as the team at NetGalley, for taking a chance on me, and allowing me to access the ARC of This Bright Life by Karen Campbell, in exchange for an honest review.

In This Bright Life, we follow a 12-year-old boy named Gerard, who has the weight of the world on his shoulders; his father is dead, his mother is a drug-addict incapable of looking after her children, and Gerard is desperately trying to be a de facto parent to his two younger siblings, stealing when necessary to keep them fed and warm. One fateful morning, in the blink of an eye, Gerard makes a poor decision, which turns his world upside down. Now a product of the care system, Gerard must cooperate with the authorities in order to keep his family together.

When I first started this book, I was a little unsure, as I struggled to understand the Glaswegian dialect, notably the use of local vernacular and colloquialisms. The frequency with which I had to look up words (Scottish Slang in particular), disrupted the flow of this book for me and it took me a little while to relax in to reading it. Furthermore, whilst there were words I could easily research (e.g. Glaikit), there were others I struggled to identify, so the meaning of the sentence was somewhat lost on me (e.g. Ingiefant). However, once I downloaded the audiobook, my reading experience improved dramatically, as the cadence of the narrators speech, as well as her intonations and inflections, helped convey the emotion and attitude of the storytelling.

Once I got over my initial barriers to enjoyment, I absolutely adored this book. At its heart, This Bright Life, is a hauntingly beautiful tale of redemption, loneliness, empathy, resilience and hope, as well as the power of kindness. The book also emphasises the importance of human connection, as we follow 3 disparate characters whose lives slowly coalesce, altering them irrevocably. This book is truly heartbreaking, eye opening and tender, but it is also interspersed with moments of genuine warmth and levity. The characters are wonderfully endearing, and I found myself heavily invested in the outcome of this book. Furthermore, I learned so much whilst reading This Bright Life, notably with regard to social services and the significance of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) in shaping the trajectory of our lives. Fortunately, whilst the book deftly tackles challenging subject matter, it is in no way somber or morose. In fact, I ultimately found this to be a hopeful, powerful and impactful book.

All in all, This Bright Life is a truly heartwarming, coming of age story, filled with characters I won't forget in a hurry. Whilst it is a difficult read in places, the audiobook truly helped me overcome challenges with the Glaswegian dialect and vernacular. Caroline Guthrie narrates the audiobook beautifully, which helps convey the nuance and sentiment of the story.

Overall Rating: 3.75 stars, which I rounded up to 4 on Goodreads and NetGalley.

What a hidden gem of a book this is

I loved how Karen Campbell crafted these characters. They were very well rounded. with realistic lives that reflect the messy realities of the city. I especially liked how Campbell has written from the perspective of a child; it really drives the tragic reality of the main character Gerard grows up in.

If I can describe this book in one word: emotionally rich - it'll poke, pinch, swell your heart as you follow these characters' stories. It was hard at times to read through this just because of how depressing it can get, but it's also a sad reminder of the broken system that exists. It's extremely cliché but we should be kinder towards each other, towards people who need help, towards children who need care, towards the elderly who need companionship.

It's a book I'd recommend.

This Bright Life’ will open your eyes and your heart – and in keeping with the Sufi saying, ‘ O break my heart, O break it again, So I can learn to love even more again’, will break it and restore it. A marvellous depiction of the bonds and ills of family and love, anger, and resolution. I defy anyone not to have leaky eyes. Balanced by Glaswegian humour and some terrific local expressions, it is a triumph filled with astute and compassionate insight. I shall be seeking out other works by Karen Campbell.