This is a very emotional book. The story is told in dual timelines. The writing is very beautiful and poetic. I felt that the characters were underdeveloped

Brilliant!! Resonated on so many levels. I felt for Michael very deeply and this book really impacted on me. I felt almost spent at the end. JJ Bola writes with such an engaging style and I was hooked.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers
M Little Brown Book.

Great book, must read actually, well put together, I enjoyed reading it, No Breath, no Life. Sorry for the massive delay in reviewing this book,

J Bola explores the increasingly empty life of Michael Kabongo as he becomes increasingly disenchanted and frustrated with the world in which he lives and the everyday racism that he and his students face. The reader is an eye witness to Michael's dissent into suicidal thoughts as he comes to the conclusion that little will change so what is the point in continuing. The split timeline is a useful technique that jolts the reader into identifying certain key moments when a different outcome might have sent Michael on a different path, avoiding the devastating conclusion.
Bola has a lyrical writing style that delicately deals with one man's acceptance of defeat.

When something speaks to your soul the way this book has, it is impossible not to be deeply moved. Quite simply the most accurate representation of feeling lost, hopeless, and surrounded by the grey smog of depression that I have ever read. Having lived with the smog for most of my life, it was like reading the thoughts I have struggled to put into words. This is the power of words. The power to connect humans from all walks of life, from all cultures, all ages, all genders.

Michael has never felt at home anywhere in the world. The pain of the human experience is searing to him, and he grows increasingly weighed down by the effort of existing in a world of war, poverty, violence. A tragic event is the catalyst for him leaving his job, his home and his country. He is going to spend all of the money he has in America, and when it is gone, he will leave this world quietly. He is afraid to connect with anyone. And yet on his journey, he finds a person who awakens his heart. He gives himself in a way he never has before. He is seen. And while this connection is fleeting, it is nevertheless life changing.

Moving, eloquent and life-affirming, this is a book that will stay with me always.

Do you read books where the protagonist has the same job as you? I realise that I almost never do read books about teachers. I'm not sure why - I have watched plenty of movies and TV series taking place in schools!

The Selfless Act of Breathing by J.J. Bola follows a secondary school teacher, his colleagues, a couple of his students, as well as his love life, his relationship with his mum, and his mental health struggles.

There was something strangely hypnotic about this book. Some passages were quite poetic, others read like a transcription of dialogues I've had at work. There were also some powerful reflections about suicidal tendencies (definitely check trigger warnings if you are worried) and relationships. I liked that there was a bisexual character too.

Overall I felt lot of compassion for the main character. I imagine that most of it rings so true because it may have been inspired by the author's actual experiences in London and the US?

Some of the female/side characters felt a bit one-dimensional and/or cliché, but that may have been a reflection of the unwillingness of the narrator to truly let anyone in...?

There are also a couple of lines in French which were clearly incorrect (native French speaker here) but perhaps again this is representing the fact that his Congolese mum is switching between languages without worrying about accuracy. However sometimes it was simply misspellings eg "Tu dort?" instead of "Tu dors?" (= Are you asleep?)

If you like character-driven stories, I recommend it. I will definitely read whatever else J.J. Bola publishes in the future!

I am really grateful to NetGalley, Dialogue books and J.J. Bola for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Wow! It seems that what ever JJ Bola turns he's hand to, he succeeds. He has cemented himself as a spectacular writer across a diverse range of genres with this latest offering. The thing I really liked about this book is that it was told over two different time periods, without really telling us when but without being confusing at all. While not confusing, prepare for the unexpected and you still won't be ready. I couldn't put it down. it was so refreshing to have a male protagonist in such venerable settings.

Good story telling about the seemingly small things that are often overlooked. I enjoyed this story and was taken on a wide spectrum of emotions as a result of the author's descriptive storytelling.

JJ Bola explores the increasingly empty life of Michael Kabongo as he becomes increasingly disenchanted and frustrated with the world in which he lives and the everyday racism that he and his students face. The reader is an eye witness to Michael's dissent into suicidal thoughts as he comes to the conclusion that little will change so what is the point in continuing. The split timeline is a useful technique that jolts the reader into identifying certain key moments when a different outcome might have sent Michael on a different path, avoiding the devastating conclusion.
Bola has a lyrical writing style that delicately deals with one man's acceptance of defeat.

Although this book explores depression, loneliness and suicide and indeed centres on one man's journey to end his life, and it was at times emotive,it didn't grab me and pull me into Michael's story. It actually seemed a bit impersonal at times with so much description. Nonetheless I persevered to the end - had to know what happened and it was quite a shock. The book did make me think more about how people can reach the hardest decision there is to make. #netgalley #theselflessactofbreathing

A fine debut efgort from JJ. We will be hosting an I sta gram live lunch time literary chat with him and irenosene okojie on friday 12 november as part if an ongoung series if chats frim our shop.

First off: great title!
This is a beautifully written and tender portrait of a young man in crisis. Michael, a disillusioned teacher living in London, decides to leave his life. He travels to the USA and plans to commit suicide when his money runs out. The book tackles many subjects including mental health, masculinity, faith and belonging. The author’s portrayal of love, pain and vulnerability broke my heart at times. It goes to the darkest places of your mind but catches your breath with flickers of joy and hope. It’s a simply stunning emotional work of lyrical prose. Yes: I loved it.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ACR. All views are my own.

There are so many passages that I want to share to show how beautiful this writing is. I think that almost all of the reviews that I have read, have used the word lyrical; and that is because Bola's writing is exactly that. His tale of Michael Kabongo, a young British-Congolese teacher in London is both tender and intimate, his prose are luminous.

After years of feeling the despair of belonging nowhere, of the burden that comes with the overwhelming sense of powerlessness to overcome life's injustices, and after a tragedy that only serves to add weight to an already burgeoning sense of responsibility - Michael makes the decision to leave his life behind, to travel to the US, with his life savings and to end his life when the money runs out.

A compelling story of what can happen when you give up the will to live, when you accept that life will be what it is, no matter what you do, when death no longer holds any fear. Told in two narratives; past tense in the first person; an up close look at the personal and social pressures of Michael's life and then the third person telling of his trip to America in the present. This change cleverly pushes the reader to arms length, to see the wider view, to feel the weight of the entire situation.

A deeply affecting novel about mental health, systemic racism, the violent marginalisation of Black men around the world and the intrinsic power of love - I highly recommend this relatively short read and I am surprised that I haven't seen more of it around.

I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect from this book but I knew it would give me an intimate, honest glimpse into someone else’s life at a moment of crisis. I suspected strong emotions and tortured thoughts but I was also treated to an real rollercoaster of a story.

Michael Kabongo is a Congolese-British teacher living in South London, when an unexpected loss sends him running to America. Michael makes a promise to himself that when his savings run out, he will end his life. But as Michael travels across the States, meeting new people and reminiscing about his life, he starts to wonder whether ending it all is really the answer.

Of course, there is a lot of exploration of what it’s like to be a Black man not only in the States but anywhere. I know that every Black person will be able to relate to being followed around by security guards and it’s just not something that white people have to worry about. Michael’s friend Sandra doesn’t seem to really understand his concern and I think her thoughts reflect that of most people who haven’t had a similar experience.

As Michael talks about his life and the people he loves, I started to put together a very three-dimensional picture of what has got him to the point where he is contemplating suicide. He has a huge heart and simply wants to leave the world a better place than he found it. Sadly, I know that these kinds of characters are wide open to being hurt and I was so worried for him for most of the book.

Bola does an amazing job of evoking vivid pictures and emotions through his descriptions. The cities that Michael visits come alive on the page and it was so easy to put myself on the street alongside him. The settings weren’t just feasts for the eyes, they made me feel something which only the most beautiful views can do. Bola is a very talented writer and there are some truly stunning passages in this novel.

Of course, this is a book following a man who is in a dark, reflective state of mind. There is a healthy dose of cynicism and commentary on the big themes like love and human relationships. Although he is a dark, damaged mindset, so much of his thoughts resonated with me as true. I don’t know whether that says more about me than Michael but I guess it reminded me that even the rock bottom isn’t full of complete, untrue nonsense.

Michael feels that he’s never really had a voice that has been loud enough to be listened to. So many readers, especially those from marginalised communities, will see themselves in this and perhaps have even reached the same conclusions that Michael does. There is something of a rallying battle cry in Bola’s writing of these parts and I hope that it inspires readers to fight even harder against the forces that silence them.

The book does get philosophical at times and I really enjoyed thinking about the big ideas with Michael. The notion that our lives are so small and insignificant in relation to the vastness of things like space and nature is a comforting thought for me. I know that not everyone shares that feeling but it helps me to put everything into perspective and see how big my problems really are -in that, they’re not that big at all!

The Selfless Act of Breathing is a gripping, heartbreaking story with a smart, kind, relatable protagonist. I had no idea where Michael’s journey was going to take me but I was along for the ride, carried by the beautiful, poetic writing. It has been compared to Yaa Gyasi’s Transcendent Kingdom, which I read earlier this year and adored. I can certainly see the similarities but it’s a different story that really needs to be read as a unique tale by itself.

“The Selfless Act of Breathing” tells the story of Michael, a teacher in London, who appears “normal” on the outside but who is struggling with his place in the world. He decides he will take a final trip to America, spending all of his savings, and end his life when he has run out of money. The book is split between showing his trip and showing what events lead him to make it.

This really is a powerful book. Given the increased (and important!) focus on mental health, it’s wonderful to see a book that I’m sure will resonate with many and which is so open and honest, even if that makes it feel brutal at times too. I’ve seen other reviews say that it is very lyrical and I would have to agree with that too. There’s one part where Michael gets taken to an open mic poetry night and the whole book feels very poetic.

It’s hard to say that this was an enjoyable read but I’m glad that I did and I would recommend it. I hope that this book will be read by many and will make those who are struggling feel less alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This was an ok read for me. I was happy to see the topic of mental heath issues explained in such a delicate way. I felt suffocated by it as it continued throughout the story. Not a fan.

I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book is stunning. You can tell from the title that the writing is going to be a lyrical beauty and it did not disappoint. It is a serious and heavy book but also with the specific levity of utter relatability in both being a Londoner, and being a Londoner who has visited the US (San Francisco in particular for me).

This book is about Michael, who at the very beginning decides to withdraw all his money, travel to the US and when his money runs out commit suicide. It follows his time in the US alongside flashbacks to his time back in London where he works as a teacher so that by the end of the book you understand how and why he began this journey. It’s utterly heart-breaking alongside being a joy to read and each character is fully realised and clearly driven by their own motives, personality, and goals – and you see that from Michael’s specific point of view. I can’t express how much it felt like I knew all of these people by the end of the book. It made me want to contact my friends and check if they are okay instead of being miffed that they haven’t got back to me.

There are some really beautiful and poignant moments in the book and I completely believed the narrative. It blew me away. Also the cover art is so gorgeous. The title is gorgeous. The contents did not disappoint. I wish I could read this again for the first time.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story of two sides. From the perspective of the character, to the writing style and to my feelings about the book. Let me explain.

We're reading about Michael, a disillusioned secondary school teacher in a rough part of London. But we're also reading about Michael as someone at the end of his tether, trying to let go and live life travelling around the US, whilst trying to get to the end of his life.

Part of the writing was beautiful, poetic. Other parts were repetitive, like the author was struggling to fill the pages. I've never read "lugubrious" so many times before!

One chapter we're reading about Michael struggling in London, from his first person point of view. Next chapter we're in San Francisco, written in the third person. At first I though I was reading about two different people, and in a way, I guess I was. But it was confusing. Some of the writing, when talking about the same time and place (i.e. first person Michael at school) the timeline didn't quite gel. Maybe it was the format (PDF copy), and a lack of paragraphs, but one minute it's the beginning of the day and the next sentence he's on his way home.

Overall, the story was good. It brought the reality of inner-city London to the reader, the struggles of race and circumstance. How life can just drag you down and it's a fight to get out of the slump. The joys of travel and meeting new people, but highlighting the loneliness of a lone traveler as well. I feel it needs another proof-read and an edit, but I'm sure the released format will be spot on.

I enjoyed this a lot to start with, beautifully written and hearfelt. But then I felt it lost its way and became rather introspective and rambling. But it was a good portrait of undiagnosed and untreated depression.

Well, wow. The writing in this book was so lyrical and beautiful despite the tough subject matter. i loved the deep insight into the community in London which this novel was set and the touches of American culture when the protagonist travels in the USA. The author's musings on the world show that he definitely has a lot to say about being a black british man and the different racial and class issues in Britain and the US:

"Resentment for the Other has always existed, they merely did not yet have the power to act upon it".

"They create the Other and then resent them for being it".

One thing that annoyed me SO MUCH about the writer's style in this book, however, was that he would switch the narrative from first person to third person constantly. He did it so much that for the first half of this book i was convinced that there were two protagonists.

Once i got used to this narrative shift, i really couldnt put this book down and finished it in two days. Bola has some beautiful prose woven into this story and the last page had me on the verge of tears. I'll definitely be looking out for more of Bola's work in the future.

"It is easier to kill another than it is to kill oneself. The most powerful instinct in nature is survival; to stay alive, and whomsoever overcomes it has great strength, not weakness".