'Coming Back' Reading (B)Log #1

‘Coming Back’ is an extended text published by David Hill, based on a calamity event during regular teenager’s youth. Leading teenagers’ to maturity and difficult decisions upon themselves. With some dreams crushed, only hope and guilt is left behind to haunt them. A gripping and compelling story.


In the text I relate to the desire to be rebellious and to overcome the peer pressure from friends, like Ryan, he disobeys his conscious to prove his brave side. Although he shows signs of fear and anxious he continued, to prove he can take risks. After making a slip of anger and frustration, his pride decreases and is taken over by guilt and regret. Quoting repeatedly in his head, “If only”. I find those words very deep and gripping because of the story behind those words. I relate strongly with Ryan as I have many times been pressured by friends to take risks for the entertainment of theirs, also the pressure can taking over your conscious just to prove you're worthy of their standards. Like in the movie 'Grease' the main character, Danny Zuko tries to impress his friends by attempting to do sports and activities outside his comfort zone, to show his 'cool' and 'tough' image.


I also relate to the part in the text when Ryan being a regular teenager he is, eats up the guilt and attempts to block out the rest of the world. Preferring to be alone and cry in his room, not wanting to hear from his parent's opinions nor his friend's encouragement. Thinking in his head, “Shut it, I wanted to tell them both. Just shut it and leave me alone. Everybody bloody leave me alone”. I connect with Ryan at this moment also as I have had moments when being alone is my quiet room is the solution to many problems. Without having someone else's opinion or criticism, like Ryan, letting it out by myself was more preferable. Similar to the novel "Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde", as Dr Jekyll hides himself from the outside world to grief in guilt from his actions, inside his lab. Cutting off the world, so he doesn't cause more damage or commit more crimes.


The part I felt the most relatable was when Ryan went through a horrible heartbreak and a major stage of lost and confusion. After seeing Ash, his close friend, and Tara, a girl who's life he damaged but developed an emotional connection with holding hands, his heart sank. Quoting, “I'd never had so many jolts in the last three months, I didn't think anything could get to me any more. But when I seen the two of them like that, my whole body seemed to go dull and heavy”. I shared a strong feeling of sympathy for Ryan during this, as going through a heartbreak and betrayal of his friend's are very impacting. Especially after the strong sympathy he had for Tara, his effort to make it better by helping and volunteering to improve her health and physical well-being. He connected with her more as they together. Including that he asked Ash to substitute in while he was away, only led them to fall in love. Knowing he made that happen makes his heart sink even more. Another connection to this is like novel series "The Hunger Games" as the second male lead, Gale Hawthorne was at a depressing stage as he lost the love of his life to a friend whom he had respect for. The feeling of emptiness but had to continue acting as if it was all ok.


‘Coming Back’ was a very interesting book, that grips your attention to continue. I recommend this book to read in your teenage years to show how much one mistake can make an impact, but can be resolved with effort and determination. Instead of wondering “If Only”, state “What if”.