The Bright Unknown: A Coming-Of-Age Historical Novel about Friendship, Survival, and the Will to Be Free

By Elizabeth Byler Younts

Book Overview

From award-winning author Elizabeth Byler Younts comes a luminous and heartbreaking historical novel about resilience, friendship, and the search for belonging--perfect for readers of Susan Meissner and Katherine Reay.

"Younts's successor to The Solace of Water (2018) has an enthralling foundation for its story, along with an appealing historical setting and themes of friendship and love amidst oppression . . . the captivating plot will engage readers." --Booklist

Brighton Friedrich has never known life beyond the walls of Riverside Home, the rural asylum where she was born in the 1940s. Raised by a nurse who keeps secrets about her past and bound to her best friend, a boy she calls Angel, Brighton dreams of freedom. Together they risk everything to escape, but the world outside is as perilous as it is beautiful. With no identities, little money, and only fragile hope, they must rely on each other and the unexpected kindness of strangers in their quest to find home.

Told with Elizabeth Byler Younts's gorgeous, lyrical prose, The Bright Unknown is a poignant story of love, loss, and redemption that will linger long after the last page. This standalone historical novel includes discussion questions, making it a great choice for book clubs and a thoughtful gift for fans of unforgettable, hope-filled fiction.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0718075684
• ISBN13: 9780718075682
• Release Date: October 2019
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful story of survival and friendship

The Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts is a powerfully emotional time-slip book. With a masterful pen and expert characterization, the talented author draws her readers deep into the life of Brighton, a young woman born and raised in an insane asylum in the 1940s. Brighton's story is unfolded layer by layer by an older Brighton as she looks back into time at her life at the asylum and her escape into 'normal' life. The people and situations Brighton encounters and experiences are horrifying and yet are depicted so realistically and tactfully. A couple of the things I especially enjoyed about the story are how the author brought in information about photography and also that part of the story is set in Brighton, Michigan, as that is the town in which I live! The Bright Unknown is a beautifully poignant coming-of-age story, a story of survival and friendship, and I cannot wait to read more from this author. I listened to a library copy of the audiobook and the narrator, Nan Gurley did a wonderful job telling Brighton's story, which made an enjoyable listening experience. I received a complimentary copy of the book through Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.