Breathe

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

'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.

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.

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.

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.