Breathe by Jessica Laurie: A Review
J. Laurie being a sweet friend of mine, I wanted to review her debut novel after (finally) finishing it this weekend. The short version is: read it!
Jessica Laurie’s debut novel Breathe is a solid first entry for the burgeoning author. This book is equal parts quirky, warm, and thoughtful, the kind of book best read wrapped up next to the window with a cup of tea on a lazy weekend. It reads like both a mystery and a fantasy. I couldn't wait uncover all of the character’s secrets. Each character is written well, fulfilling needed roles in the narrative but there is no doubt someone here that any reader could identify with. Dillon and Hope, whose journey we follow, were the two main stand-outs for me. Dillon’s dry humor and cynicism is something I could identify with and Hope’s curiosity and enthrallment with the magical world she’s thrust in. The two of them kept me turning the pages. Laurie successfully mixes a world of fantasy with a stark reality to bring her characters to a place of hope and redemption and she does this without the book feeling overly preach-ey, which is no small feat in this book’s genre. The author gently leads the reader to the places of hope and redemption her characters are pursuing and because of that this book was a beautiful reminder of the gentleness and care with which our Heavenly Father cares for us. Nearly every ounce of spirituality this book offers feels natural and each character has their own approach to it, reflecting the different experiences and stages of life they’re in. The Garden scenes were particularly touching in this way, Laurie paints us a picture of Christ that is not unlike C.S. Lewis’ Aslan (no doubt an influence here) so it feels very familiar but is also unique in and of itself. Overall this was an enjoyable read. The author’s fingerprints are left all over with sweet quotes and poems between chapters that almost nod to what is ahead for the reader. It also contains several handfuls of literary and nerd-culture references which add to the fun and make you think you hear Julie Andrews singing “My Favorite Things” in the distance. While not super ambitious, it genuinely accomplishes what it sets out to accomplish and has a solid finish with both excitement and warmth. It’s real without being stark, fun without being distracting, light without being vapid, spiritual without being forced, and warm without being too cheesy. Would recommend!
You can purchase Breathe on Amazon.com or other online book retailers.