‘Breathe’ by Elena Kravchenko is a profound and moving story that is based on the real-life event of the tsunami that struck a large section of South East Asia causing wake mass destruction and resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. The deaths were not all caused by drowning but also the other issues that this horrific event went on to trigger. The loss of life can never be fully known due to the amount of people who have never been found.
The story begins on a remote island close to Borneo. It is the evening before Boxing Day and there is a gathering of people at a hotel. A Swedish couple, Richard and Eva are among them, they are on their honeymoon. In the wake of the tsunami, their friend Carl flies out to try to find them, convinced they are both still alive. The book shows us just how devastating this catastrophic event was. The aftermath of chaos and destruction, the lack of organisation from some as well as the lack of medical supplies and facilities. Just the trauma of every person, Thai or tourist in that place at that time. Never mind the horror of the world, looking on through television screens. The author has very sensitively, and skillfully woven a story that manages to show the horror of that time.
A book that will definitely not be forgotten by me. Carl himself embarks on a journey to find his best friend and doesn’t realise he is on his own journey at the same time, one of self-discovery. We see him go from place to place witnessing the destruction and death caused. I felt like I could be there with him. The power of this writing is amazing. So skilful and intricately done.
The research is apparent as the story develops and it is a book that will touch anyone who reads it, even if they weren’t affected at the time. This is a story that needs to be told.
Thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and Elena Kravchencho for the gifted copy of this thought-provoking read.
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