Without Looking Back

I have always enjoyed reading books by Tabitha Suzuma, I think her debut novel was released just as I started reviewing books from Random House. Although readers are still awaiting the final part of her first trilogy (come on Random House comission it!) I have enjoyed every one of her books.

This story represents a bit of a departure in subject for Tabitha as often she often chooses to write about young people who have mental health issues, depression and similar conditions, this one is different. The family is still touched a little by the stigma of someone finding depression difficult to cope with, but it isn't the core of the story.

Louis and his older brother (Max) and younger sister (Millie) live with their mum, with them visiting with their dad at weekends. However one weekend their dad has a surprise, they are going on a holiday. However Louis overhears a phonecall and understands his dad has lost the case to see them every week and their visits with their father will now be court supervised. Their dad whisks them away on holiday from France to the UK and then extends the holiday by a week. It is during this week that Louis finds himself face to face with a picture of himself on a Missing Persons poster!

Life seems like it could be better in the UK, but will it be. Louis was meant to be dancing in a big competition, but would he be able to pursue that interest in the UK? Is a life in hiding really worth it, and he misses his Maman. It is these internal conflicts that Tabitha is always so good at expressing. I love the way that she chooses characters that are not the 'norm'. They aren't necessarily straightforward cliches of people, like Louis and his dancing. It is a brave decision to have a young male character be a dancer! Yet it makes the story different, not something that is run-of-the-mill. His conflict between his parents, his dancing and even his feelings for a girl are all carefully laid out for the reader to see.

The background characters aren't really background at all, they are made 3 dimensional through clever writing and a genuine feeling of concern. You feel sorry for the father who feels he has to take this action to take care of his kids, but also for the children understanding their dilemma of choosing between mother and father.

This is a great emotive read which takes place in a world where things aren't always clear cut, and sometimes we have to make hard decisions for love, as Louis finds out!