I enjoyed Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley, but there's something about it I'll leave to the end of my review.
Scanning the bookshelves, I rested my hand on the spine of this hardcover book, looked at the title under my hand, I picked it up, and bought it. The cover is appealing, and I did not know this was published by Atheneum for Young Readers (Simon and Schuster's children's division).
I often read books for young readers. When I was younger, I loved getting new books and wondering what story they would reveal to me. Does anyone remember Scholastic Books? It was a company that passed a catalog through the classroom and you could order children's books that would be delivered to the school for you. Way to hook em' on reading. I used to love reading that catalog.
Now, I have the same feeling looking at a new book, so interested in what may be inside. When I read children's or teen books, I think back to being that age and how I felt then.
In Where Thing's Come Back, seventeen year old Cullen Witter lives in Arkansas with his younger brother Gabriel and his friend Lucas. The story starts the Summer his cousin Oslo commits suicide. He is dealing with his small town and family as they cope in different ways. There is also a naturalist who has come to town claiming a sighting of a rare woodpecker, thought long extinct. The bird is dubbed Lazarus, and although it hasn't been seen officially, the town is suddenly bird crazy attracting tourists from all over with bird themed events and burger combos. Cullen is also discovering, along with his outgoing friend Lucas, dating and girls. There are a few good relationships happening this Summer, until another mystery occurs - Gabriel disappears without a trace. This throws the family into disorder and the whole town doesn't know how to react. There is an unsuccessful search.
The novel flips back and forth between Cullen's story and that of Benton Sage, a young missionary returning from Africa. Disillusioned with the church, he starts studying the Book of Enoch, part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible. He describes it to his roommate Cabot Searcy, who is interested. It deals with the Grigori - the fallen angels who gave too much knowledge to humans on Earth. God was displeased and so sent his "left hand" Gabriel to kill their children and banish the Grigori to Hell. Just after this, Benton Sage suddenly kills himself, and Cabot begins reading more about the Book.
These stories alternate throughout the novel and eventually come together, adjusting all the events of the stories into the correct time. There are connections pulling the characters together in unexpected ways.
The writing is so good, and the characters intriguing, that if I didn't know it was for younger readers I would think it was just a great debut novel. The two streams flow so well together that as a full time reader, I was surprised and impressed by his construction. The language is great and the reactions of the characters true.
I guess my hesitation is for these subjects for young readers. I must be wrong, as books like Harry Potter, Twilight and Lord of the Rings are quite dark and yet are aimed at or written for both young readers and adults.
The subjects of suicide, abduction, religion, and what really did happen to Gabriel I found too dark to recommend to the 14 yr olds I know. I found it quite nihilistic, which as an adult I can understand. Maybe it opens the door to questions, or helps them understand these situations more. I did like the book. I really want to give it a higher rating for great writing, pacing, construction, originality - but can't do that for the bleak and dark elements.
2011 / Hardcover / 228 pages
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