The best thing about going is coming back is a novel for young adults written by the Spanish screenwriter, engineer, film director, journalist, actor, playwright and author Albert Espinosa. The work was published on March 21, 2019 by the publishing house Grijalbo. After its release, it has received positive reviews from critics and readers, accumulating ratings of 3.95 and 4.4 stars.
This can be seen on platforms such as Goodreads and the official Amazon reading section. Since its appearance on the literary market, Albert Espinosa has been praised for his sensitivity and his ability to portray devastating situations. from a positive perspective, making the audience feel identified with its characters and the adversities they face with courage.
Synopsis of The best thing about going is coming back
A journey into the past
This is a book that invites the reader to reflect on the themes of life: love, loss and forgiveness. His publication managed to capture the attention of many thanks to his particular style., characteristic of Espinosa, where meaningful phrases and narrative simplicity combine to provide an intimate and comforting reading experience that goes far beyond words.
The story follows Rosana, a woman who, in 2071, will turn 100 years old. In the future society where she lives —run by humanoid robots— they decide to give her a great gift for reaching such a venerable age: a woman. is given the opportunity to exert karma on the three people that have had the most negative influence on their past, permanently affecting their existence.
To carry out this task, Rosana You are assigned a robot with which you must talk to tell it the name of the three people and the reason why it is necessary to apply karma to them. The machine's job is to question the woman, document her requests and investigate whether the people really deserve punishment. In the middle, the protagonist discovers that evil is not so simple.
The path of self-discovery
As Rosana embarks on this exploration of herself and her past, she feels the need to take stock of her life, to understand the loves she committed, the losses she faced and the dreams that still persist. The protagonist goes through a process of reconciliation with herself, remembering experiences and important people who marked his path.
This introspective journey helps her discover that sometimes the best thing about going is, precisely, coming back. The fact that she reencounters painful images from yesterday leads her to understand that she may have been responsible for the way others treated her and the harm they could have caused her. It is then that truly understands that forgiveness is the best of policies.
Main themes of the novel
As in many of his other novels, in The best thing about going is coming back Espinosa touches on universal themes such as love, family, friendship, loss and the importance of forgiveness. Through Rosana's life, the author recalls that, Although memories may be filled with difficult moments, forgiveness and understanding are necessary to move forward..
One of the most endearing aspects of the book is the way it reflects human resilience: Rosana is a woman marked by her past, but she is also a figure that symbolizes the strength to face adversity. with courage. This is an element that frames Espinoza's works - perhaps because of the author's own life - and that motivates others to read his books.
Narrative style of the work
Albert Espinosa He is known for his simple style, but full of deep messages. His writing is direct, with a warmth that is captivating. The best thing about going is coming back, The author makes masterful use of metaphors and language that allows him to connect with the characters' emotions.Each chapter is short, with sentences full of messages that invite reflection.
The read is quick and enjoyable, but the underlying value resonates in a lasting way. Title The best thing about going is coming back encapsulates one of the central messages of the book: the importance of returning to roots and memories, and understanding how they have shaped each oneThis “return” refers not only to a physical return, but also to an emotional and spiritual one.
The meta-message of the book
Espinosa encourages the reader to value the cycles of life and to accept that, although journeys can be painful, they also bring essential learnings. In addition, The book reminds us that all human beings are in constant evolution., and that forgiveness and reconciliation are keys to finding inner peace.
About the Author
Albert Espinosa i Puig was born on November 5, 1973, in Barcelona, Spain. He trained in Industrial Engineering at the Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineers in his city., completing his studies at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, where he participated in the ETSEIB theatre group. The author began to write at that time, composing plays for his team.
Despite his extensive studies, Albert Espinosa He never pursued his career as an engineerInstead, his artistic inclinations took hold. The author entered the world of cinema thanks to a script written for a film, which won the European Information Technology Award.
Other books by Albert Espinosa
- The Pelones (1995);
- A rookie at the ETSEIB (1996);
- Posthumous words (1997);
- The story of Marc Guerrero (1998);
- Scraps (1999);
- 4 dances (2002);
- Your life in 65' (2002);
- Això is not life (2003);
- Do not ask me to kiss you, because I will kiss you (2004);
- The club of les palles (2004);
- Idaho and Utah (2006);
- The great secret (2006);
- The Petit Secret (2007);
- Our tigers welcome (2013);
- The yellow world: if you believe in dreams, they will come true (2008);
- All that we could have been you and me if it wasn't you and me (2010);
- If you tell me, come, I'll leave everything ... but tell me, come (2011);
- Compasses that seek lost smiles (2013);
- The blue world: love your chaos (2015);
- The secrets that they never told you to live in this world and be happy every day (2016);
- What I'll tell you when I see you again (2017);
- Endings that deserve a story (2018);
- If they taught us to lose we would always win (2020);
- The yellow world 2: I was ready for everything except you (2021);
- How good you do me when you do me good (2023)