This Impossible Brightness: A Novel

3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars | 6,731 ratings

Price: 26.33

Last update: 06-28-2024


Top reviews from the United States

Placeholder
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Novel
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2024
This novel is beautifully written, engaging and intelligent, with a powerful, heart breaking, and important plot. The characters are creatively developed and the setting becomes a character as well in the story. I loved this book.
Loves 2 Read mfv
4.0 out of 5 stars Uniquely Different
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
I've never read a story quite like this. Unpredictable,unusual but comforting in a strange way. I choose this book because it appealed to me. The island, the animals, the radio transmitters, the trails, the storms and the mystery of it all. I would not have purposefully read a book such as this on abstract mysteries of global warming but found it intriguing. It will make you consider the unthinkable.
Jorge Varão Pinto
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice little sad sci fi story
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
It's a well written and, sometimes profound, story, but, for some reason, it just didn't fully click with me. Not a bad one, just not great.
Jody Stutman
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, magical, sad and hopeful
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2024
This is a beautiful piece of writing and magical storytelling. I felt the core of these characters and felt connected to nature while reading this book. Although there is sadness, there is such a strong sense of wonder and whimsy too. Most importantly there was hope. I'm very happy I read this book and look forward to more from Ms. Klagman.
s.lee
2.0 out of 5 stars So disappointing
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
The premise is intriguing, and the writing is polished. When considering this book, the characters seemed engaging and I read with the interest until the story became darker and more disjointed. In the end, I felt as though I had been duped into reading a very negative polemic on climate change wrapped in the guise of a story with magical elements. Alma, the primary focus of the book, is emotionally broken and retreats to an island where she has relatives. I was lulled into thinking that the environment would provide some healing and Alma's experiences would help her mature and work through her grief. Instead, Alma becomes increasingly selfish and self-focused under the guise of needing "space" and becoming the mouthpiece for the Echoes (a few dead people and an animal that only Alma can see). Alma's life on the island ends sometime in the distant future in a dystopian world where there seems to be no hope. Other readers have commented on the themes of loneliness and environmental disasters, but these topics were presented from a decidedly fatalistic view.
Janette Fuller
4.0 out of 5 stars This Book Took Me Out of My Comfort Zone
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2024
I have never read a book quite like this one. There were times when I was a bit confused by the different characters. I had to get used to the idea that Alma could see and communicate with people who were no longer living. Alma's dog was especially poignant and memorable.

Alma was constantly dealing with the fact that the North Atlantic island was slowly being swallowed up by the sea. The harsh elements were a constant challenge. The issue of climate change was a strong part of this story.

This book was a combination of science fiction, adventure, and love story. I found the last couple of chapters especially engaging and all the questions that I had earlier were answered. The story ended with the strong message that love never ends.

Alma was a courageous and resilient woman and I enjoyed getting to know her. This book took me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to a faraway place where hope and love endure.
L. O.
3.0 out of 5 stars Unique, well written but very long!
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
The book moves very slowly forward and then jumps backwards and then forward again. At first it was almost painful to read. I felt such a negative reaction to the story but I am stubborn and continued on. This is a read between the lines story and come up with your own interpretation of what you think happens. I was not happy with the end but it was just like the whole book. If you want to read something that frustrates you and you want to scream at the author to get on with the story and stop with the flipping all over the place, then this is for you. It was not however something that I enjoyed.
Brandi Easterling Collins
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and tragic story
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024
"Write for yourself, not for someone else, not for an audience. If you truly love to write, if you have to write, you’ll do it even if no one else ever sees it."

As an author, the above line from this novel spoke to me. I adored this book. I'll admit I have a thing for lighthouses, so that's what drew me to this book at first, plus the title was intriguing.

Once I started reading the story, I was hooked. Alma moves to a remote island town called Violette with her old dog to be near her aunt and cousins.

This novel is dystopian fiction, so the people on the island are hold-outs as the oceans are rising and destroying coastal towns.

Still grieving the loss of her fiance several years ago, Alma searches for meaning in random radio signals that seem to be rebroadcast on the island. When a strange event happens on the island, resulting in a flash of bright light, Alma discovers she has abilities she didn't anticipate.

I enjoyed Alma's story and the love she has for her dog. She is a likable character who deals with tragic circumstances in the best way she can.

Best Sellers in

 
 

The Stranger in Her House

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 7988
26.33
 
 

All the Colors of the Dark

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 40016
19.69
 
 

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 2076
19.1
 
 

The Terminal List: A Thriller

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 34075
17.71
 
 

Service Model

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 749
17.71
 
 

Middle of the Night: A Novel

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 2881
19.69
 
 

The Next Mrs. Parrish: A Novel

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 9100
17.72
 
 

Jake's Magical Market 3: Home Sweet Home

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 1844
48.12