The Art of Not Breathing

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 20, 2016

Review

Sixteen-year-old Elise is living in a family that is falling apart. Her twin brother Eddie disappeared off the Scottish coast five years ago and the chaos surrounding his disappearance bubble to the surface as she secretly takes up freediving, deep diving without oxygen. As Elise begins to identify truths and secrets that her younger self buried or did not understand, she navigates through her experiences with teen alcohol parties, stealing, pot, sex and a suicide dalliance. Elise's voice is raw and unadorned, providing a suspenseful and penetrating look at how a sibling's death affects each family member. The author is from London and the cultural references have not been Americanized. Refreshing.

Overall Book Score: excellent