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A review by stang_gt3
Into This River I Drown by T.J. Klune
5.0
This is one of those books that needs to be experience not explained. It’s touching, beautiful, emotionally draining, but yet hopeful in the end no matter the circumstances. This is a book about faith, love, duty, and devotion, but it’s also a book about pain, loss, anger, and frustration. Inside Benji’s head is just a mess of turmoil and this book takes a LONG time to develop. It’s well worth the wait though.
Benjamin Edward Green adores his father Big Eddie. When Big Eddie was killed in a car crash Benji’s life goes spinning out of control. Ruled an accident Benji’s never been truly convinced. It’s five years later and his life is still on hold wrapped up in one single moment in time. He’s immersed in his grief to the exclusion of all else only functioning enough to maintain the convenience store and garage that was his father’s life. Benji is drowning in a river of his own grief, but every so often he feels an unseen hand on his shoulder, a breath on the back of his neck, or a bright blue light. Something is out there and it keeps dragging Benji back to the surface anytime his dreams of his father’s death get to be too much. But the world is still spinning and truths are hurtling towards each other leading to a big explosion of long hidden secrets.
I’m going to try to write this review with as few spoilers as possible. This is one of those stories that just needs to be read. Benji’s voice is so painfully honest and lost. I am not normally a fan of first person stories, let alone one’s told mostly in first person past. This worked beautifully though. The structure is unorthodox and yet supremely fascinating. I really felt like I was in Benji’s head, jumping from point to point as he remembered. This story isn’t completely one hundred percent linear, but every jump further into the past makes sense within the context of the storyline.
God my heart is just plain torn in two for Benji. He’s suffered so much over the loss of his father. There’s so much pain going on inside his soul and it causes him to lash out at those he loves often at those he least likes hurting. Cal is such a shock to his system. His uniqueness is just fascinating enough to catch Benji’s attention and keep him from thinking about his own pain for a heartbeat. There were times I wanted to smack Benji and times I wanted to cuddle him and shower him in love and caring. He may be twenty one now, but in some ways he’s trapped at sixteen mentally, stuck in the same mindset he was at when his father died. He needs to grow up as much as he needs to let go.
Oh Calliel, you are just the most adorable thing. I loved how everyone in town was just so innately drawn to him. Sure, he is what he is, but yet he’s still so human. I loved his curiosity and his joy at the new things he was discovering. I giggled every time I heard his “I don’t think I’ll like that.” His love for Benji was just so pure. Of course when he goes all protector on everything it’s a little bit of a “HOT DAMN!” moment.
The paranormal aspects to this story and the description of faith I found to be fascinating. This was so well crafted no matter what your personal beliefs I think there is something to be found within this story. I’m beyond curious at the other world hinted at within these pages and what those possibilities might mean for humanity. The decisions these characters arrive at are suggested to have long ranging implications and I hope Mr. Klune gets to explore them at some point in the future.
This story was brilliantly put together and lyric despite being written in prose. It’s a slow building beginning, but every piece in the end feels necessary. There are no wasted thoughts and Calliel’s devotion to protecting Benji and the people of Rosewood is beautiful to behold. This story tells of things impossible and improbable to believe, but sometimes those things are the greatest of us all. They mystery behind everything pushes the story along where it might have gotten muddied down in river water. Everything gathers speed as the story progresses and culminates in a slam-bang finish. This story is a chance for a rebirth, like the way a river gathers speed during a flash flood, it may have start off as a trickle but eventually that water will become a wave with the potential to leave devastation in it’s path, but in the aftermath there is the chance for new growth and hope to replace the destruction. Rebuilding may be necessary, but greater things can come of it all.
Epic tale of love and loss. It is not one I will soon forget. Benji’s growth throughout the story really does take a boy trapped in his teenage headspace and make him the man he’s always had the potential to become. This book is touching and gives everyone a reason to believe, to have faith, and pray for the day that everything does get better. Free will is ours, our choices and what we stand up for are what will make us at the end of the day.
Benjamin Edward Green adores his father Big Eddie. When Big Eddie was killed in a car crash Benji’s life goes spinning out of control. Ruled an accident Benji’s never been truly convinced. It’s five years later and his life is still on hold wrapped up in one single moment in time. He’s immersed in his grief to the exclusion of all else only functioning enough to maintain the convenience store and garage that was his father’s life. Benji is drowning in a river of his own grief, but every so often he feels an unseen hand on his shoulder, a breath on the back of his neck, or a bright blue light. Something is out there and it keeps dragging Benji back to the surface anytime his dreams of his father’s death get to be too much. But the world is still spinning and truths are hurtling towards each other leading to a big explosion of long hidden secrets.
I’m going to try to write this review with as few spoilers as possible. This is one of those stories that just needs to be read. Benji’s voice is so painfully honest and lost. I am not normally a fan of first person stories, let alone one’s told mostly in first person past. This worked beautifully though. The structure is unorthodox and yet supremely fascinating. I really felt like I was in Benji’s head, jumping from point to point as he remembered. This story isn’t completely one hundred percent linear, but every jump further into the past makes sense within the context of the storyline.
God my heart is just plain torn in two for Benji. He’s suffered so much over the loss of his father. There’s so much pain going on inside his soul and it causes him to lash out at those he loves often at those he least likes hurting. Cal is such a shock to his system. His uniqueness is just fascinating enough to catch Benji’s attention and keep him from thinking about his own pain for a heartbeat. There were times I wanted to smack Benji and times I wanted to cuddle him and shower him in love and caring. He may be twenty one now, but in some ways he’s trapped at sixteen mentally, stuck in the same mindset he was at when his father died. He needs to grow up as much as he needs to let go.
Oh Calliel, you are just the most adorable thing. I loved how everyone in town was just so innately drawn to him. Sure, he is what he is, but yet he’s still so human. I loved his curiosity and his joy at the new things he was discovering. I giggled every time I heard his “I don’t think I’ll like that.” His love for Benji was just so pure. Of course when he goes all protector on everything it’s a little bit of a “HOT DAMN!” moment.
The paranormal aspects to this story and the description of faith I found to be fascinating. This was so well crafted no matter what your personal beliefs I think there is something to be found within this story. I’m beyond curious at the other world hinted at within these pages and what those possibilities might mean for humanity. The decisions these characters arrive at are suggested to have long ranging implications and I hope Mr. Klune gets to explore them at some point in the future.
This story was brilliantly put together and lyric despite being written in prose. It’s a slow building beginning, but every piece in the end feels necessary. There are no wasted thoughts and Calliel’s devotion to protecting Benji and the people of Rosewood is beautiful to behold. This story tells of things impossible and improbable to believe, but sometimes those things are the greatest of us all. They mystery behind everything pushes the story along where it might have gotten muddied down in river water. Everything gathers speed as the story progresses and culminates in a slam-bang finish. This story is a chance for a rebirth, like the way a river gathers speed during a flash flood, it may have start off as a trickle but eventually that water will become a wave with the potential to leave devastation in it’s path, but in the aftermath there is the chance for new growth and hope to replace the destruction. Rebuilding may be necessary, but greater things can come of it all.
Epic tale of love and loss. It is not one I will soon forget. Benji’s growth throughout the story really does take a boy trapped in his teenage headspace and make him the man he’s always had the potential to become. This book is touching and gives everyone a reason to believe, to have faith, and pray for the day that everything does get better. Free will is ours, our choices and what we stand up for are what will make us at the end of the day.