All the Bright Places question

Finch did not have a choice in his death, just as cancer victims do not chose to fall short in their battle. Finch never set out to be mentally ill, it was just a disease that got thrust upon him that he was unable to cope with. I don’t think that anyone can argue that he did have a choice in death because the only one in Finch’s exact situation is Finch himself. It is tragic that he lost his battle with depression, but it could not be contained or prevented.

I think he suffered, cause depression is a b*tch, pardon my language. Depression sucks. There's a reason why depression can make people suicidal - it's a black hole of nothingness, nothing is interesting and you don't have any energy and you feel like it's never ever going to get better. Well, you always has a choice when it comes to suicide, BUT, usually it's taken through faulty sickness choice-making. Persons with bipolar disorder have a higher likelihood to suicide during a depression after a manic episode. (The highest risk are those who have mixed affective episodes with both mania and depression characteristic, like difficulties with impulse control at the same time as they're feeling low and have suicidal behavior).

I think Finch was bipolar, cause during the first 100 pages of the book I just couldn't get why he was so hyper and like, just showed up at Violet's house and couldn't take no for an answer and... until I put 1+1 togheter and realized that he had a (hypo)manic episode. I have friends who are bipolar and have worked with youths with bipolar disorder and a lot about his character felt familiar.

I think Finch was an incredible character. I think they probably could have done more for him. I didn't appreciate the way his mother practically ignored him.

Could the counselor have done more? Could anybody have saved him?

My heart broke! Like into a million pieces. I thought Violet would get there in time. I thought he wouldn't go through with it.

And then.... I'm still crying. I actually think he might have been manic depressive with schitzophrenic tendencies(the way he described sound and the some of the things he saw) - there are various types but one particular type doesn't allow you to feel anything.

He reminded me of a kid I saw in my psych class on a documentary we watched.

He could have gotten help. I just can't believe he gave up.

What makes me mad... is how could he do that to Violet. IF you love someone, you don't do that!

Although the ending is brutal. It is real! People do go through with it. We can't always have a happy ending. Even though we wish it!

Theodore Finch i thought they save each other's life but then ahhhh i dont know. Violet Markey is so shattered. First is her sister and then Finch! Love is really weird. but i love this book because Finch travel to the most amazing places. i want to reread this book again! :)))

I believe Finch was bipolar, just like his dad. When the consoler told him about him possibly being bipolar and how it ran in families was about the time he started on the downward spiral. I think he just didn't want to become his dad.

I liked this book, too. Just finished this today and I am so sad about Finch! I can't say I was surprised, he was so hurt and broken, but I HOPED he would see a different way out of his pain.
I don't think Finch suffered the last few days. I feel like he spent his time tying up the loose ends of their project, which was a way for him to say goodbye. It's like he knew what he was going to (and felt he needed to) do. Unfortunately, he didn't see another way to heal.
I like Janet's take on this, how the possible diagnosis from the counselor is what started his fall. :(

Been asking myself the same thing since i finished the book.
:( it's Torture!!!!

I was wondering this too, so I emailed Jennifer Niven with some of my questions

Here is her response

Regarding Finch's last days/hours, I believe he was trying so hard to stay Awake but he could feel the depression coming back. He should have reached out and told someone what he was going through, but he didn't. Instead he tried to figure it out on his own, which no one should have to do. I felt, too, that he was really going in search of the bottom of the blue hole, as opposed to going there with the intent to die. I think he was just finishing what he started that day he went there with Violet and had to go back up because she was waiting for him. I think he was just searching for the bottom and he ran out of time.