Friday 7 May 2021

If You Were There by Francisco Garcia

If You Were There: Missing People and the Marks They Leave Behind

A powerful, evocative and deeply personal journey into the world of missing people

When Francisco Garcia was just seven years old, his father, Christobal, left his family. Unemployed, addicted to drink and drugs, and adrift in life, Christobal decided he would rather disappear altogether than carry on dealing with the problems in front of him. So that’s what he did, leaving his young wife and child in the dead of night. He has been missing ever since.

Twenty years on, Francisco is ready to take up the search for answers. Why did this happen and how could it be possible? Where might his father have gone? And is there any reason to hope for a happy reunion? During his journey, which takes him all across Britain and back to his father’s homeland of Spain, Francisco tells the stories of those he meets along the way: the police investigators; the charity employees and volunteers; the once missing and those perilously at risk around us; the families, friends and all those left behind.

If You Were There is the moving and affecting story of one man’s search for his lost family, an urgent document of where we are now and a powerful, timeless reminder of our responsibility to others.
Ok, I admit it; I didn't read every word. Some of this book...some of the descriptions, the things that happen to the missing, the incredible numbers...I skimmed bits of that. I had to. This book is written so openly, so simply, it was like sitting down beside Francisco and listening to him talk directly to me.

The range of people, of stories, in this book was incredible. I learned about groups I've never heard of before (and hope I never have to approach, to be quite honest) and listened to stories from everyone Francisco talked to. Even a small thing like hearing how the groups adapted to the Covid crisis was interesting.

This is beautifully written, very informative, and I enjoyed it a lot.



If You Were There publishes on the 13th of May, 2021. I received a free copy and am leaving an honest review.

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