This Bright Life
- 27 Mar 2025
- 9781837260614
- £16.99
- 304 pp
- 141×220mm
- 26 Mar 2026
- 9781837261185
- £9.99
- 304 pp
- 129×198mm
- 27 Mar 2025
- 9781837260621
- £7.99
- 304 pp
In a few words
The engrossing and uplifting story of a small boy born with the odds stacked against him, and the decision that alters the course of his life forever
In a few words
The engrossing and uplifting story of a small boy born with the odds stacked against him, and the decision that alters the course of his life forever
In a few words
The engrossing and uplifting story of a small boy born with the odds stacked against him, and the decision that alters the course of his life forever
This Bright Life is a moving, haunting portrait of childhood and the jagged reflections of one tiny action in the kaleidoscope of humanity. Karen Campbell captures the voice of 12-year-old Gerard with poignant accuracy and her words paint pictures with the touch of an old master. Ultimately life-affirming, this gritty novel will take you to dark places, but it's one beautiful, uplifting journey
Janice Hallett
I love this story so much. Karen writes with such a rare and deep understanding of people and every word of her stories earns its keep. This Bright Life is dark, moving and compassionate and, just like Paper Cup, it's a story filled with hope. I think that's what I love the most about Karen's writing: it makes you feel hopeful, like a handrail in the dark. I adore it
Joanna Cannon
This Bright Life is a moving, haunting portrait of childhood and the jagged reflections of one tiny action in the kaleidoscope of humanity. Karen Campbell captures the voice of 12-year-old Gerard with poignant accuracy and her words paint pictures with the touch of an old master. Ultimately life-affirming, this gritty novel will take you to dark places, but it's one beautiful, uplifting journey
Janice Hallett
I love this story so much. Karen writes with such a rare and deep understanding of people and every word of her stories earns its keep. This Bright Life is dark, moving and compassionate and, just like Paper Cup, it's a story filled with hope. I think that's what I love the most about Karen's writing: it makes you feel hopeful, like a handrail in the dark. I adore it
Joanna Cannon
This Bright Life is a moving, haunting portrait of childhood and the jagged reflections of one tiny action in the kaleidoscope of humanity. Karen Campbell captures the voice of 12-year-old Gerard with poignant accuracy and her words paint pictures with the touch of an old master. Ultimately life-affirming, this gritty novel will take you to dark places, but it's one beautiful, uplifting journey
Janice Hallett
I love this story so much. Karen writes with such a rare and deep understanding of people and every word of her stories earns its keep. This Bright Life is dark, moving and compassionate and, just like Paper Cup, it's a story filled with hope. I think that's what I love the most about Karen's writing: it makes you feel hopeful, like a handrail in the dark. I adore it
Joanna Cannon
More about
the book
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SALTIRE AWARD 2025
‘Life-affirming’ JANICE HALLETT
‘Full of compassion and hope’ ELISSA SOAVE
‘A masterpiece’ CAROLE HAILEY
Gerard is twelve. 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.
Heartbreaking and yet brimful of humour, compassion and hope, This Bright Life is a story about messy lives, second chances and the many hands it takes to build a boy.
More about
the book
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SALTIRE AWARD 2025
‘Life-affirming’ JANICE HALLETT
‘Full of compassion and hope’ ELISSA SOAVE
‘A masterpiece’ CAROLE HAILEY
Margaret – an elderly widow who just wants to be left with her memories and her quiet, contained life.
Claire – newly divorced, downsizing into the neighbourhood and way too busy to mend a broken heart.
Gerard – a tearaway twelve-year-old who hates his name but loves his little brother and sister. Gerard is a bright kid, but trouble always follows him. No one really knows what it’s like at home; he’s used to carrying a lot on his small shoulders.
Gerard doesn’t always make good decisions. One morning, he makes a very bad one, upending not just his world, but the lives of Margaret and Claire too. Both heart-breaking and life-affirming, This Bright Life is a story of messy lives, second chances and the many hands it takes to build a boy.
More about
the book
SHORTLISTED FOR THE SALTIRE AWARD 2025
‘Life-affirming’ JANICE HALLETT
‘Full of compassion and hope’ ELISSA SOAVE
‘A masterpiece’ CAROLE HAILEY
Margaret – an elderly widow who just wants to be left with her memories and her quiet, contained life.
Claire – newly divorced, downsizing into the neighbourhood and way too busy to mend a broken heart.
Gerard – a tearaway twelve-year-old who hates his name but loves his little brother and sister. Gerard is a bright kid, but trouble always follows him. No one really knows what it’s like at home; he’s used to carrying a lot on his small shoulders.
Gerard doesn’t always make good decisions. One morning, he makes a very bad one, upending not just his world, but the lives of Margaret and Claire too. Both heart-breaking and life-affirming, This Bright Life is a story of messy lives, second chances and the many hands it takes to build a boy.
Brilliantly done . . . This is a very good, intelligent and sympathetic novel. Campbell is a fine novelist, one adept at setting a scene, and one whose sympathy for her characters is delightful
Allan Massie
ScotsmanThree vulnerable people, thrown together by an accident. In this compelling and heartrending novel, Karen Campbell's skilful and sensitive narration takes us into their worlds, sharing their pain and joy. The setting is authentic, the characters fully alive: the message is one of hope in human compassion and the healing power of love
Anne Donovan
Karen Campbell finds lives that can fall between the cracks, and holds them up to the light of her clear, compassionate writing. Wee Gerard is yet another one of her brilliant creations - so real you can hear him breathing, feel his hurt and frustration alongside him
Kirstin Innes
Brutal but beautiful. This book left me speechless
Ely Percy
Brilliantly done . . . This is a very good, intelligent and sympathetic novel. Campbell is a fine novelist, one adept at setting a scene, and one whose sympathy for her characters is delightful
Allan Massie
ScotsmanThree vulnerable people, thrown together by an accident. In this compelling and heartrending novel, Karen Campbell's skilful and sensitive narration takes us into their worlds, sharing their pain and joy. The setting is authentic, the characters fully alive: the message is one of hope in human compassion and the healing power of love
Anne Donovan
Karen Campbell finds lives that can fall between the cracks, and holds them up to the light of her clear, compassionate writing. Wee Gerard is yet another one of her brilliant creations - so real you can hear him breathing, feel his hurt and frustration alongside him
Kirstin Innes
Brutal but beautiful. This book left me speechless
Ely Percy
Brilliantly done . . . This is a very good, intelligent and sympathetic novel. Campbell is a fine novelist, one adept at setting a scene, and one whose sympathy for her characters is delightful
Allan Massie
ScotsmanThree vulnerable people, thrown together by an accident. In this compelling and heartrending novel, Karen Campbell's skilful and sensitive narration takes us into their worlds, sharing their pain and joy. The setting is authentic, the characters fully alive: the message is one of hope in human compassion and the healing power of love
Anne Donovan
Karen Campbell finds lives that can fall between the cracks, and holds them up to the light of her clear, compassionate writing. Wee Gerard is yet another one of her brilliant creations - so real you can hear him breathing, feel his hurt and frustration alongside him
Kirstin Innes
Brutal but beautiful. This book left me speechless
Ely Percy
Karen Campbell
View profileKaren Campbell is the author of nine novels. A former police officer, then Glasgow City Council press officer, she won the Best New Scottish Writer Award in 2009. She also teaches creative writing and was recently Writer in Residence at Dumfries and Galloway Council. Originally from Glasgow, she now lives in Galloway.
karencampbell.scot
Karen Campbell
View profileKaren Campbell is the author of nine novels. A former police officer, then Glasgow City Council press officer, she won the Best New Scottish Writer Award in 2009. She also teaches creative writing and was recently Writer in Residence at Dumfries and Galloway Council. Originally from Glasgow, she now lives in Galloway.
karencampbell.scot
Karen Campbell
View profileKaren Campbell is the author of nine novels. A former police officer, then Glasgow City Council press officer, she won the Best New Scottish Writer Award in 2009. She also teaches creative writing and was recently Writer in Residence at Dumfries and Galloway Council. Originally from Glasgow, she now lives in Galloway.
karencampbell.scot
