I knew after I cried for about the fifth time; As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner will be one of my forever-favorites. This is not a book that will gather dust on my bookshelf as many, sadly, have before it. I mean no disrespect to the books, of course, but I don’t have all the time in the world. I must prioritize.
As Bright As Heaven is about a family who lives through (though all may not actually live through) the Spanish flu outbreak that overtook the country, nay, the world in 1918. I love books that shine a light on forgotten, or less often talked about, events in history.
This book does very well to make the experience feel fresh and the characters real.
While I will endeavor to not give too much away, I will say this story takes a somewhat unique vantage point on death itself, how it is perceived, and the actual role it plays in our existence. I found it refreshing to read a description that showed death itself isn’t necessarily the “bad guy” in the story we paint him to be.
I also loved each character and their individual arcs. Coming from a large family myself, I appreciate when an author is able to show how members of the same family can be vastly different, not only in personality, but in how they experience the exact same event. Some can be level-headed and wise, while some may be swept away with emotions, even unreasonable (or what may seem unreasonable to others).
This novel shows happy endings don’t come when we expect, sometimes not at all, and they certainly don’t all look the same.
I give this book my highest recommendation. I have no intention of being consistent in my reviews, so 5 out of 5 stars, two thumbs up, one million Schrute-bucks, however you want to rate it, read it.
Dawn Ludlow 