‘Bring me Back’ – B.A Paris
The cover of the thriller novel by B A Paris ‘Bring me Back’ writes “She disappeared. He Moved On. Until Now”. She really did disappear and transformed herself. However, throughout the entire novel he never moved on. He thought he had moved on, he never did. Perhaps, in the eyes of the completed reader she was physically present.
This made Finn wonder; in love about Layla and was always juxtaposed. The author continues to drive this message across the entire novel, holding the reader in thought throughout, whether the intentions of Finn is selfish as he holds Ellen as an innocent tool. The primary reason being his mind is with Layla and not with Ellen, thus stretching the bounds of self – serving-ness.
The author writes as Finn and Layla, which continuously grips the reader in entirety. Moreover, she writes in past and present forms further gripping the reader into the story. For instance, when Finn visits the old house he feels a sense of presence of Layla, the Russian dolls and the emails. These are exquisite methods of engrossing the reader into the world of the author, thus holding the hand of the reader without letting loose. Breathtaking writing and thrilling psychological play.
Some readers might wonder whether the story line is more of an unrealistic drama, staged more into an utterly ridiculous thriller. This would be an outrageous attack on a thriller written with realistic substance.
Nonetheless, the element that was difficult to understand which might generate this criticism would be the fact that if Finn was so in love with Layla, why was he unable to understand that Ellen was Layla even from the physical aspect. We might intend to leave such to imagination and pure belief that Layla was abducted or killed in the mind of Finn.
The ending was written with quick sentences and words. This might clearly show the speed of the events that transpired filled with emotions, rage and most importantly confusion.
The psychological element was breathtaking. Whether the ending was emotional and unwanted is left to the reader. The author has narrowed down and joined the ending to close the story, although it would fall short of ‘amazing’ as mentioned by Lee Child.
Original Content | Author: Yatila A. Wijemanne
