I really enjoyed the format of Elena Kravchenko’s novel, Breathe - the way it travelled back and forth, giving the “before” and “after” the tsunami, offered interesting perspectives. Carl’s journey, both as he looked for his missing friends, and as he looked for himself, were fraught with hope, despair, frustration, and love. Thank you NetGalley for my copy. All of my comments and opinions are my own.

DNF - No rating

The premise was so intriguing but I just couldn't get into this book. The execution and characters unfortunately just didn't do anything for me. Such a tragic event but I wasn't engaged.

Carl's best friend Kristoffer, and his newly wedded wife, Eva, are missing after the tsunami in Thailand where they were honeymooning. Carl decides to leave London and fly out to Thailand to search for them.

I found the premise of this book quite unbelievable. Why would a single person, on their own, fly to a disaster zone thinking they could possibly find their friends in the midst of devastation, confusion and chaos? If he had volunteered to go as part of some organisation like the Red Cross or similar, I could understand it.
But on your own? I find that decision unfathomable.
But he does. And it is chaotic; And his presence really isn't helping.
In addition, the narrative is moving back and forth in time which takes a long time to put the pieces together.
When this frustrated at the start of a book, I normally would give up but it did give me enough to arouse my curiosity as to how things would turn out and that aspect alleviated my annoyance at the stupid choices
Carl made.
I did feel the first third of the book was very repetitive and could have been edited down quite a lot. Given this was a real event and not that long ago, I didn't need endless descriptions of the tsunami and the devastation that followed. Overall I wasn't convinced by the premise but perhaps that's just me.

I did read this but having known someone who was caught up in the tsunami, I found it a little uncomfortable to read as a novel. It was interesting to read about the disaster response and the varying approaches by country, especially how the international visitors were prioritised for care and treatment.

This story is beautifully written (minor typos aside). The author engages all sense, in particular, the sense of smell.

Breathe is told in third person and from Carl's perspective. The first few chapters had me glued to the pages. Then something weird happened. It became some sort of political/racial/immigration/treatment of Thais/ rant.

The story also flicks between before and now, which, to be honest, I found jarring at times. The 'before' chapters are easily identified as they are titled 'before.' But being thrust back into he 'now' was often jarring. For me anyway.

While I didn't hate the story, I didn't love it either. I found it easy to put aside. With that said, something kept me coming back to it, so there's that.

Copy received via NetGalley

NOTE - Also, I think they're called aftershocks not after quakes. At least they are where I come from - New Zealand. And we have more than our share of earthquakes and aftershocks.

Excellent book that provides insight in to tsunami’s and the aftermath. This is a journey of a friend searching for his best friend and his new wife following and devastating wave. It will make you stop and think about how you view life and the choices we make.
Thank you Netgalley for complimentary copy.

Simply put, this is an exceptional novel. It is has left me profoundly moved and I commend the author on the skill required to compose such poignant, insightful prose, whilst also introducing such vibrant, individual characters.

Until 2004 I had never heard the word ‘tsunami’ nor indeed the phenomena that is tsunami. However following that Boxing Day event I doubt that anybody is now unaware of either. Watching events unfold on the tv in a beach bar in Spain it was hard to believe that this was real and immediate and we plotted how we could go and help – but it was not to be as officials begged people not to go to Thailand as it would merely add to the chaos.

Our introduction to the book focuses on a fairly remote island near to Borneo where a number of people are gathered at a hotel, it is the night before Boxing Day. We are introduced to Richard and Eva, a couple from Sweden, they are on their honeymoon. After the tsunami, a close friend of theirs, Carl, flies out to Thailand to search for them, believing them to be alive. The book details the reality of the aftermath of the tsunami and the conditions and chaos; the lack of organisation from some organisations, the lack of medical facilities, the traumatised population and the horror and destruction that existed for the Thai population and the tourists. It is hard to imagine, but it is skilfully and beautifully portrayed by Elena Kravchenko. Similarly her characterisation and dialogue are equally skilfully presented.

The horror, death and destruction will stay with me for a long while, as will the fundamental goodness of people who excelled in their efforts to assist others. This is a book I will long remember not only for the subject matter, but because of the skill, compassion and beauty of a story well told.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Breathe by Elena Kravchenko details what happens after a disastrous tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004. Carl, the main character, finds out his best friend, who is on his honeymoon, is missing in Thailand.

Carl feels compelled to travel to Thailand to look for his friends. The journey he takes is one of self-discovery, bravery, and determination. The journey is sad and nerve-racking.

The story is well-written and provides details that have you feeling like you are there with Carl and all the other characters in the most horrifying disaster.

#Breathe #NetGalley

I really loved this book, the writing is beautiful, evocative and subtle, and the story draws you in from the first page.
Set during the Asian Tsunami, the vivid descriptions of which are harrowing and terrifying, the story follows Carl, a Swedish man searching for his missing friends in Thailand, in spite of the terrible chaos in the aftermath.
The feeling of utter helplessness and lack of assistance, the terrible injuries and the non existent infrastructure makes for heartbreaking reading, but Carl's determination won't let him give up.
A superb read, I highly recommend, an unforgettable book
Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the advance copy.

'Breathe' tells the story of Carl, an ambitious Swedish financier living in London, who discovers that his best friend and his wife have gone missing in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
From its gripping opening page to its surprising finale, 'Breathe' is full of insight and humanity, and ultimately conveys an uplifting message despite all that goes before. Highly recommended.

After the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean on Boxing Day 2004 Carl is told that his best friend and his wife who were in Thailand on honeymoon are missing.
Carl feels that he can’t sit at home in Sweden and wait for news so he boards a flight and heads to Thailand to look for them.
This proves to be a sad and harrowing task for Carl.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.