Reading time!
This post is about a book I’ve recently read in less than a week, which did not occur for many years!
“Bring me back”, author B.A. Paris. However, I’ve read the Dutch version which is “Breng me terug”. The original title is “Bring me back”.
I started reading this book on Sunday night before going to sleep. And I was finished on Thursday afternoon thereafter.
As soon as I started reading I just couldn’t stop. This story held me in its grasp from the beginning! It was so exciting and compelling. The preface started with the main character at the police station in France giving a statement, as his girlfriend disappeared. This story is about two young people in their twenties who went on a ski trip to France by car. When they drove back home, which is in the U.K., they made a short stop to fresh up. When Quinn, the main character, comes back from his visit to the restroom, his girlfriend Layla is nowhere to be found. After he has searched all over the parking area and surroundings, he went straight to the local police station and reported her as a missing person. At first, they suspected him of having anything to do with her disappearance. Nonetheless, they released him eventually.
12 years pass by and he never heard from Layla again and Quin, the main character, carries on with his life. He even gets engaged with Layla’s sister, Ellen. Both seem to be all happy and settled with their dog Peggy and the cosy life they’ve built together. Of course, they are looking forward to their wedding that will soon take place. However, one day when he comes home from a hectic day at work he sees Ellen all curled up on the sofa, holding a personal item that used to be of Layla. Somebody left this personal item, which is a Russian doll, for them on purpose. From that moment, they keep finding these little Russian dolls everywhere they go and both start to wonder if Layla is still alive. Or if someone is just playing a twisted game with them. The chapters switch between the past and present, therefore it becomes more clear what happened to Layla and what ultimately lead to her disappearance and if she is still alive.
This book really fascinated me. Also, every time I told myself I would stop after I finished reading a chapter, I would keep on reading until I really had no other choice than to stop. I just had to know what happened and if Layla was still alive, and who was behind leaving a trail of Russian dolls. Furthermore, every time when I was certain about what happened, I have led astray again. And when I finally reached the end of the story I felt very sad and confused. The story stayed in my head, actually it still does, for days. I just couldn’t believe what really happened.
My conclusion of this book is that it’s definitely worth reading for sure! In fact, I would even consider reading it again. Moreover, I would not lend this book to anybody else and I would certainly not resell it! This book “Bring me back” is absolutely very compelling, exciting and unique. And I would definitely recommend reading it! Although I strongly advise not to read this before going to bedtime or while using public transport, because I truly lost myself in the story! I started reading this book on a Sunday evening while I had to get up the next morning at 06:00 a.m. I can tell you I’ve lost many hours of sleep due to this book. The next Thursday I couldn’t wait any longer and kept on reading till the end, while I had to prepare myself for going to lecture! Simultaneously, this book reads quite easy as it is written very smoothly. At the same time, characters and places are clearly described. And by switching between the present and past, as well as by telling the story from the point of view of all main characters, makes it interesting to read. Luckily, it didn’t feel like an unnecessary long-winded story before finally reaching the plot. Nevertheless, will I describe the whole book and reveal the end. The book is too good and exciting for that and definitely worth reading! Finally, all I can say is that it was certainly worth my money and time reading “Bring me back”.
SHEETAL KALAYKHAN 