The Book of Dreams by Nina George

☆☆☆☆
Kindle Edition, 400 pages
Expected publication: April 9th 2019 by Crown Publishing
About the Book:
When Henri ends up in a coma after rescuing a young girl from the Thames, his ex-girlfriend, Eddie, discovers that she is listed as Henri's next-of-kin in his living will. While Henri lies in a hospital bed, he fitfully revisits the boyhood he spent with his beloved grandfather, who fed him a steady diet of Breton fish and fairy tales. Meanwhile, Sam, Henri's sensitive teenage son with whom Henri never had a relationship--Henri was in love with his mother, but too afraid of love to make the relationship work--has never seen his father alive, other than in Henri's reportages or the video of him heroically saving a girl from drowning. Yet, Sam has a more profound connection with his father than most children of his age. Sam and Eddie, each previously unaware of the other, slowly begin to carve out an unexpected and powerful friendship. But when Sam is on his way to meet his father for the first time, tragedy strikes.

The Book of Dreams is a fascinating read that grabs the reader tightly and demands attention. The unique narrative is written in the first person from each of the main characters' point of view, thus the reader is able experience the story from multiple angles. Nina George effectively explores the depths of human relationships, and looks intently at both the good side and the bad. Ultimately this is a story of redemption, and each characters journey to find it is heartbreaking, yet inspiring. The story centers on Henri, who ends up in a coma after rescuing a young girl from the Thames, his ex-girlfriend Eddie and his son Sam.

The Book of Dreams has ordinary, flawed characters in an extraordinary situation, plus extraordinary characters one just doesn't usually find. The Book deals with tragedy but gives hope, and it deals with endings that are really beginnings. This is an absolute treasure of a book, though I recommend having a box of tissues nearby when you read it...it's been a long time since a book touched me so deeply--I literally ached at the end of this book. This story is one the reader does not want to leave--while reading or after finishing.

Thank you NetGalley, Crown Publishing and Nina George for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

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