When Things Come Back

When Things Come Back
by John Corey Whaley
Reviewed by Ani



The novel Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley is about a boy named Cullen Witter. This wonderful story’s setting was about twenty years ago (around 2000) in Lily, Arkansas. While Cullen is living his “normal” life, a professor comes to Lily and makes a big fuss about “rediscovering” an extinct bird, the Lazarus Woodpecker, which hadn’t been seen since around 1940. A couple of weeks after the Lazarus bird is found, Cullen’s brother named Gabriel suddenly disappears. Meanwhile, a very religious man who is going to college enters the story. He is roommates with another student named Cabot Searcy. This mysterious man is told by his father that he is doing things wrong religiously, and has trouble dealing with his conflict with his father. He decided to kill himself on Christmas Day by jumping off of a bell tower. Meanwhile, Cullen and his family are doing everything they can do to find Gabriel.

 As the story progresses, scenes alternate between Cullen’s family’s search for Gabriel and Cabot Searcy’s life. The reader discovers more about Cullen’s character, including the fact that he doubts the existence of the Lazarus woodpecker. As Cullen thinks more about his brother, his loses the ability to recall Gabriel’s face. But still, when Cullen is alone, Gabriel is all he can think about. Meanwhile, Cabot marries Cullen’s ex-girlfriend, who then leaves Cabot to return home, which happens to be Lilly, Arkansas. Cabot follows her, leaving campus to resolve the problems in their relationship. The story unfolds with a few twists and turns that keep the reader turning pages.

Whaley creates a well-developed (and a little confusing) book. The story alternates between present day and points in the past at times, and that takes a little getting used to. It is a well-written book, although it was probably written for a slightly older audience. It did, however, keep me on the edge of my seat. I would definitely recommend this book (probably for teens 14 and older). I was able to work through the confusing moments, though, and interested slightly younger readers can probably follow the story. I give the book 4 out of 5 stars for its quality storyline. However, I wish the author had made the alternating time periods more obvious.