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This Bright Life

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This Bright Life

By: Karen Campbell
Narrated by: Caroline Guthrie
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Gerard is 12. He hates his name, but loves flying round the streets of Glasgow on his bike, or mucking about with his gang, the Broncos. He’s a bright kid, but trouble seems to follow him. No one really knows what it’s like at home for Gerard; he’s used to carrying a lot on his small shoulders.

Gerard doesn’t always make good decisions. And on one April morning, in the blink of an eye, he makes a very bad one – one that will upend his whole world.

Now, he faces a bewildering stream of concerned adults clutching files, unfamiliar streets to navigate, a strange bed to sleep in, and the very real chance he won’t see his wee brother and sister again.

©2025 Karen Campbell (P)2025 Bolinda Publishing Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Poverty & Homelessness Social Sciences World Literature
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I like Karen Campbell so was delighted she had a new book out.. Maybe I’m biased as a Glaswegian but it’s my favourite book in a long time from any author. It has teeth, it’s emotional and just really bittersweet.
I’d have given it six stars if I could ❤️
(And the narrator is pitch perfect)

Fantastically good

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A novel about good people with tough lives in gritty Glasgow. Realistic characters and dialogue.

Real and Uplifting

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All the emotion are so palpable in this book.

It gives a glimpse into the lives of the children who are affected by the consequence of the adults in their lives when drink and drugs are involved.
The navigation of all the support systems with little understanding is sad, raw and real for young Gerard and has you feeling wretched gir his plight.

The narration was exemplary and bought so much more to this book.

Raw and real

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I listened to this emotional story over two days and instantly fell in love with the very misunderstood Gerald. This book was so well written and the narration was spot on. These things do go on in our society and it’s very easy to draw a blind eye to it. I felt this story allowed the listener to hear it without having a guilt trip throughout and really helping one understand why a person is made the way they are through circumstance. The best book I’ve listened to for ages.

Voices! too afraid to speak.

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characters were so realistic, portraying family life of those caught up in addiction and the fall out and consequences for the children

heartbreaking, true to life story

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