Bright Burning Things

by Lisa Harding

Literary Fiction

Contemporary

336 Pages

"Harding writes about addiction with such raw honesty and compassion—it's heartbreaking and hopeful at once."

Synopsis

Sonya is a former actress living in Dublin, struggling to maintain sobriety while raising her four-year-old son Tommy as a single mother. Her days are a careful balance of school runs, AA meetings, and fighting the constant urge to drink that threatens to consume her. When Tommy's father—a charismatic but unreliable musician—suddenly reappears in their lives, Sonya's fragile stability begins to crumble. As her relationship with alcohol spirals out of control, she becomes increasingly unable to care for Tommy, whose innocent questions and unwavering love both anchor and torment her. The novel follows Sonya through a devastating relapse that leads to a dangerous incident involving Tommy, forcing her to confront the reality that she may lose custody of her son. Faced with the possibility of losing everything that matters to her, Sonya must make the painful decision to enter treatment, knowing it means separation from Tommy but recognizing it as his only chance for safety. Bright Burning Things is an unflinching examination of addiction's grip on a mother's life, exploring the complex relationship between love and destruction, and the courage required to choose recovery even when it means losing what you love most.

Our Take

Harding delivers a devastating and ultimately redemptive portrait of addiction that never falls into sentimentality or judgment. Her background working with vulnerable populations informs every page, bringing authenticity to Sonya's internal struggles and the cyclical nature of addiction. Readers who appreciated My Education by Susan Choi or The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo will be drawn to Harding's ability to explore complex emotional terrain with both brutality and tenderness. The relationship between Sonya and Tommy is rendered with particular skill—their bond is palpable, making Sonya's inability to prioritize his safety all the more heartbreaking. Harding's prose alternates between lyrical beauty and stark realism, mirroring the highs and lows of her protagonist's experience. The novel succeeds because it refuses to offer easy answers or quick fixes, instead showing the messy, ongoing work of recovery and self-forgiveness. While the subject matter is challenging, Harding's compassionate approach makes this accessible to readers who might typically avoid addiction narratives. Perfect for book clubs seeking meaningful discussions about family, responsibility, and the nature of love. Bright Burning Things establishes Harding as a powerful voice in contemporary Irish literature, capable of finding hope in the darkest corners of human experience.