All The Bright Places

Violet’s “wandering” journal is now more a recording of her evolving relationship with Finch than a documentary of sites in Indiana. The pair are increasingly attracted to each other, and she writes, “the wandering is really an excuse to drive somewhere and make out” (214). Finch surprises her by leaving a pair of swimming goggles on her doorstep one morning as a present. He writes that they will use them on “the first warm day” (217).

When the first warm day arrives, Finch brings Violet to the Blue Hole in Prairieton, a pool of water said to be bottomless or to have a floor of quicksand. He explains that mythology interprets these pools as the equivalent of “black holes on earth, places where nothing can escape and time and space come to an end” (220). Prior to jumping in, the pair discuss what frightens them the most. Violet is afraid of death, the loss of her parents, and “being ordinary” (221). Finch does not reveal his biggest fear, which is falling asleep permanently. The dive repeatedly in an effort to find the bottom. As they tread water, Finch tells Violet that his parents had divorced the preceding year and that his father had “made it clear it was our fault.” Subsequently, Finch keeps swimming deeper in an effort to get away from “Josh Raymond, and my cheating father […] and my sad, deserted mother” (223). He toys with the idea of drowning himself and recalls statistics pertaining to these suicides, but stops himself when he remembers that Violet is with him.

When he rises to the surface, Violet is crying and angry. She dove repeatedly in an effort to find him and slaps at Finch. He encourages her display of temper and exhorts her to “[l]et it out, all that stuff you’re carrying around” (225). Together, they throw rocks at the wall in order to let go of their disappointment and anger. They end by kissing passionately. Finch stops the embrace, telling Violet that he is broken and she deserves someone better. She responds that she is broken, too, and that they are already involved. Finally, he reveals that the scar on his abdomen was caused by an altercation with his physically and emotionally abusive father.

In an effort to let Finch know that he is not the only one suffering imperfections, Violet informs him that Ryan Cross is a kleptomaniac and hoarder. Finch declares his love for Violet, and they kiss in the sunshine on the banks of the Blue Hole.

Following their time at the Blue Hole, Finch and Violet return to his house to shower and change. She notes that his room is now painted the same color as the water at the Blue Hole and that “all the furniture has been moved to one corner so that the room is divided in two” (229). Finch admits that he envisioned jumping off the tower the day he met Violet, but “then I saw you” (230). Consensually, the pair share Violet’s first sexual experience.

Finch is enraptured by Violet and speculates that she is composed of additional chemical elements than those that compose most humans. He brings her back to the Purina Tower and tells her a story about the “Jovian-Plutonian gravitational effect” (233). He explains that a BBC commentator had told his audience that they could experience weightlessness if enough listeners around the world jumped up simultaneously; however, this was an April Fool’s joke. He uses the metaphor to explain the she has made him feel as though Pluto and Jupiter are actually aligned with the Earth and he is weightless.

Violet and Finch fall asleep at the Purina Tower; she is horrified when she realizes that it is morning and immediately calls her parents to tell them that she is all right. Mr. Markey appears at the door and tells Violet to say goodbye to Finch; Finch tries to take responsibility for the incident. 

Her parents advise Violet that Finch is “troubled” and that she should not spend time with him. They called Finch’s mother when Violet did not come home; Mrs. Finch called her ex-husband. They are aware that Finch was in the bell tower with Violet and believe it’s him that their daughter had saved from suicide. She is forbidden to see him again and knows that her parents have lost all trust in her.

Finch sees his father’s car in the driveway upon returning home; his mother apologizes to Finch for having notified her abusive ex-husband even as the older man assaults Finch. Finch disorients his assailant by laughing at him. He grabs his father’s wrist and says, “Just so you know, you will never do that again” (241). Finch retreats to his room, where neither parent attempts to enter or check on him. He writes an apology to Violet and tells her, “there is such a thing as a perfect day” (241).

The following morning, he attempts to visit the Markeys to apologize, but Mrs. Markey gently refuses him entry. He messages Violet that he had warned her that he breaks things, but she replies that they were both responsible for this mishap. She urges him to give her parents time to calm themselves.

Finch, who feels his bedroom is too large, moves into his walk-in closet, “which is warm and cozy, like a cave.” He brings a photo of Violet, healing water from Mudlavia, his laptop, and the license plate that he salvaged from the scene of Eleanor’s fatal accident. He refers to this as “Finch Survival Boot Camp” (244), and implies that he has lived in his closet on previous occasions (244). He ponders bizarre anecdotes related to death by drowning in quicksand and researches survival techniques that include suggestions to “Relax” and “Breathe Deeply” (246).

Violet thinks her peers might be aware of her intimacy with Finch and is surprised when this is not the case. Brenda concludes that the pair slept together after questioning Violet about her weekend but assures her that Finch will never discuss the event because “he’s a gentleman” (248). 

Violet invites Brenda to participate in her proposed online magazine, “Germ,” and she accepts. Finch, appearing exhausted, attends U.S. geography. He and Violet kiss in stairwells at school and talk online at night. Violet observes that Finch seems like “something [is] pulled in about him” (249). 

Although Violet is suffering from insomnia, she is able to channel her energy productively by sketching out ideas for her magazine. She includes a “Wander” section that allows readers to submit photos or sketches of any sites that they visit. She lies to her parents the following Saturday and tells them that she is going to visit Amanda Monk; actually, she bicycles to Finch’s house. She tells him about her new magazine and gives him credit for encouraging her. He deflects praise and says that “you would have come around whether you met me or not” (251). They plan a new wandering trip that will include all the U.S. states and, eventually, Europe. Despite their conversation, Violet senses that Finch is withdrawing emotionally. She dislikes herself for lying to her parents in order to see him. 

Violet and her parents visit New York University during spring break. Prior to Eleanor’s death, Violet planned to attend the school’s prestigious writing program; however, her dislike of snow, which she blames for the fatal accident, has caused her to abandon this plan. Nonetheless, her parents discuss how she can “apply for spring admission next year and transfer from whatever school [she] choose[s] for fall” (253). 

She worries about Finch, who does not respond to her texts, and wonders if their “built-in ending is high school” (254). She feels the full weight of the dreams her parents’ had for ’Eleanor’s education falling upon herself. When her mother’s literary agent asks whether she has a “special boy” at home, Violet pleases her parents by responding in the negative. She writes a new Facebook message to Finch in which she quotes Virginia Woolf, who asks, “Are we not lovely sitting together here…?” (255). 

Finch and his sisters attend another dinner at their father’s house. Violet texts him that she is home and offers to sneak over to visit him; he advises her that he is “currently in hell” (257).

Finch’s seven-year old stepbrother, Josh Raymond, invites Finch into his large bedroom, which is filled with toys; Finch is jealous, despite himself. He sees two stick horses from his own youth in the room and recalls that their names are Midnight and Scout. When Josh Raymond advises him that his father had given them to him, Finch experiences an irrational urge to remove them forcibly from the little boy. Subsequently, he realizes that the youngster will suffer as he grows up with the older Finch, and the pair enter the living room hand-in-hand.

Finch’s father acts as though nothing negative occurred with Violet and encourages his son to bring her for a visit. Finch imagines his father informing Mr. Markey that his son is a “delinquent, and a criminal, and an emotional wreck” (259). Finch controls himself, thanks Rosemarie for the dinner, and leaves the house.

He drives very fast and experiences both mania and nausea. At one point, he abandons the car and runs for miles while assuring himself, “It will be all right” (261). He knocks on the door of a family-run nursery and asks to buy flowers for his girlfriend, explaining, “It’s kind of an emergency.” Prophetically, he comments, “winter is here, and I don’t know where I’ll be by spring” (262). An older man appears and agrees to let Finch select flowers from the greenhouse, refusing payment. Finch wishes that he could reside with this couple and bring Violet to live there, too. The man, Henry, drives Finch back to his car and treats him with kindness. Violet, upset by snowfall that reminds her of Eleanor’s death, is comforted by the bucket of flowers that Finch delivers. She tells him, “You brought me Spring.” In turn, Finch feels validated by Violet’s love and “the way she looks at me as if there’s only me” (265).