Five Days Left; Julie Lawson Timmer
Putnam - 2014
Five Days Left - How would you spend the if you knew someone that
you loved was going away for good or that you had five days left to
live? Mara Nichols and Scott Coffman are the individuals for who "five
days left" is reality. The two don't know one another other than
interactions in an on-line chat room for individuals with
non-traditional families.
Mara is a lawyer, a
wife and a mother of a child who was adopted from India and is now in
kindergarten. Adopted herself and unfamiliar with her genetic
background, she receives some shocking news, a diagnosis of Huntington's
disease, a disease that is always fatal, but not before the
neurological impact destroys the body by way of physical, cognitive and
psychological changes; There is no cure for this disease. Now as she
approaches 42, Mara is seeing some of the effects of this disease. She is
planning to end her life before her body and mind are completely
compromised.
Scott is a middle
school teacher and foster parent to an eight-year old boy named Curtis
(Little Man), a child he has fallen in love with. The child's mother is
in jail, but is about to be released, and the child is to be returned to
her. Scott and his wife have had the boy for one year and are pleased
with his progress. Scott should be thrilled that he and his wife are
expecting a baby of their own, but instead he is filled with sadness over his
impending loss.
The story is told in
alternating voices over the "five days left". It is a heart wrenching
story for very different reasons. It touches on many different areas -
love, sacrifice, letting go, the right to end one's life etc. I thought
Mara's character felt very real given her situation. Scott's situation was compelling as well. This is a very good debut novel, but definitely not a book for everyone. It is an emotional read, but I
do think it would make a good choice for book club discussions.
(review copy)
I'd need to choose my time to read this very carefully... sounds tough, but worth it.
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely:(
DeleteI really liked this book, I was still thinking about Mara for days after I finished it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, her character was most compelling,
DeleteI read this a few weeks ago, it's a book that stays with you (like Tuesday's with Morie, Still Alice).
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you liked it as much as I did!
So true Marie.
DeleteI was very close to buying this with my gift card but someone posted a review that called it extremely dark and depressing, so I hesitated. Your review makes me want to pick it up though, so I'm still on the fence about it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRita, you have to be in a happy place if you read this one.
DeleteI didn't realize this was a debut! I've heard so many good things about it...even though it didn't initially appeal to me (too much death!!). I might end up giving it a try...especially since I've had great luck with debuts this year.
ReplyDeleteI've also had good luck with debut novels this year.
DeleteI am always drawn to debut novels, but this one sounds very difficult to read.
ReplyDeleteBig time - Nise
DeleteDiane, this does sound very emotional. I would need to be in the right frame of mind and mood to read this debut novel.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely, Suko. It is a tough read, and impossible not to be moved by the story.
DeleteOh man, this one would probably make me a hot mess!
ReplyDeleteLOL - depends on your state of mind Stacy
DeleteI'm with Stacy! This sounds like a book I would sob through and end up a swollen eye mess the next day! This sounds like a book that would definitely make you think though and definitely sounds like it'd be worth reading. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katherine -- yes a tough one:(
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