Shared Emptiness edition by John Brinling Literature Fiction eBooks
Download As PDF : Shared Emptiness edition by John Brinling Literature Fiction eBooks 
A portrait of the harrowing despair and remarkable courage of a middle-class family tormented beyond endurance by a mindless act of violence.
Chris Carter, at 24, a medical student, had it all. Good looks, intelligence, a winning personality, a loving family. His girlfriend, Louise, was his dream girl, and he had everything ahead of him, everything to live for….
Until he was mugged after walking Louise home from his sister’s birthday party—and his world and the world of all those who knew him was changed forever when the Catholic Church's vehement opposition to euthanasia forced them to choose between their friend and their God.
Adult content. Harsh Language. Graphic sex and violence.
Shared Emptiness edition by John Brinling Literature Fiction eBooks
I thoroughly enjoyed the in depth story and the descriptions of the characters. It was hard to put this book down. The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is there were many typos that at times would interfere with the story line or interrupt my flow of reading. But, I wouldn't let the typos keep me from reading this book.Product details
|
Tags : Shared Emptiness - Kindle edition by John Brinling. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Shared Emptiness.,ebook,John Brinling,Shared Emptiness,DRAMA American,FICTION Christian General
People also read other books :
- Vegas Tryst With the Billionaire Couple edition by Serena Waters Literature Fiction eBooks
- THE PHRENOLOGY OF AN ENTREPRENEUR 10 PRINCIPLES TO ACHIEVING YOUR HIGHER PURPOSE eBook Eli Parker
- Chase (Audible Audio Edition) Francine Pascal Elizabeth Evans Audible Studios Books
- The legendary and mythmaking process in histories of the American revolution Sydney George Fisher 9781149926420 Books
- Dance Until It Rains eBook Gary Randall
Shared Emptiness edition by John Brinling Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews
I'm not quite sure what I expected from this book, but I got much more than I anticipated. The closer I got to the final chapter, the more I wanted the story not to end, because I got so wrapped up in the lives of the many different characters, their world became very real to me. This is one of those stories which takes the reader through every emotion conceivable. It even had me questioning some of my own views and opinions - not only on the matter of euthanasia, but also other topics that are touched on throughout the book, such as abortion, suicide, and extra-marital affairs, to name a few. One thing is certain though other than "The Help" by author Kathryn Stockett, I've never before read a book that moved me as deeply as this one did.
I admire the way in which the author skillfully uses emotion and logic to emphatically tackle the controversial topic of euthanasia, and how deftly he provides insight into both sides of the argument for and against mercy death. The reader gets the perspective of the family, the Catholic Church, and the medical profession; each with conflicting views on a widely debated subject that not only is of consequence to the victim, but also to loved ones.
In no way did the author favor one view over the other and I was often left questioning my own views on this issue and feeling undecided as to what I would do if I was in the same situation and had to make such impossible decisions. Would I want to "live" in a vegetative comatose state for as long as my body held out, or would I want - for their sake and mine - my loved ones to pull the plug on the machine keeping me alive? If it is someone I love, would I let him "live" or would I be showing kindness by pushing the respirator's "off" button? The answer seems simple, doesn't it? But after reading this book and seeing it through the eyes of a mother, father, sister, girlfriend and other extended family members, doctors who've sworn an oath to let live, and a Church unfaltering in its dogma, the answer no longer seems so straightforward.
I applaud the author for the manner in which he brought both main and secondary characters to life by giving each their own back-story and having all of them facing unbridgeable obstacles, as well as their own personal demons. The families portrayed in this novel are dysfunctional in every sense of the word. I easily identified with their fears and daily struggles, and once I was halfway through the book, most of them had already crept snugly into my heart.
Written with emotional insight and compassion, it is clear that the author did in-depth research so as to be able to make the reader feel every emotion, as well as the hopelessness and uncertainty each character experienced. Although I'm giving this superb book a five star rating for a moving plot that oftentimes left me shaken and teary-eyed, it's still in need of some editing. "Shared Emptiness" is a page-turner that will have a different reflective effect on every reader, leaving you with a multi-layered story and imperfect characters that won't soon be forgotten.
Article first published as Book ReviewShared Emptiness by John Brinling on Blogcritics.
Living wills and euthanasia are often in the news. There are varying opinions, and with the advent of Dr. Kevorkian, many feel that they have a right to make their own decisions. The topic is sometimes quite controversial and often heated.
In Shared Emptiness by John Brinling we follow the life of a family who finds themselves in a situation where this might be something that becomes a part of their own conscious. Brinling has brought us a story full of love and laughter, family, church and even danger and drugs. The quotes from Helen Keller are poignant and to the point.
Christopher Carter is a young Medical student, the son of Vince and Frances Carter and the brother to Jeannie. His mother and sister belong to the church and his father has an addiction to gambling. In most respects they are like many other families. They have their strengths as well as their problems. Chris is dating a wonderful woman and is well respected. He makes friends easily and is often the center of attention. He is also very opinionated about medicine and that includes the very topic of end of life scenarios.
When he is the victim of foul play and severely injured causing possible brain trauma, all of his previous rants and challenges to his friends and family come into play. But Chris himself is no longer sure, his mind is strong. He struggles with communication, and through the series of some strange and horrifying circumstances he receives further damage. Unsure what is happening he is at the mercy of the physicians, his friends and his family? They are all questioning their own ethics and feelings and with the lack of communication available they have varying ideas of their beliefs. With so much controversy and soul searching, lives are changed forever, and the drama as it occurs is both thought provoking and quite chilling.
I am sure this book will strike chords with many, some due to the very nature of the issue, but others because we have all lost a loved one. It is the degrees that envelope you in this work, the unimaginable possibilities of having others make decisions, that affect who and what you believe in. This work is both chilling and resolute. The changing dynamics of the characters as they struggle with their own thoughts and personal demons is uncomfortable and painful. The settings were well written an take you to the places you are meant to see, and make you question your own thoughts and beliefs.
The topic of the work is so controversial that without the story behind it, I would have found it quite difficult to read. Brinling does a great job of humanizing the process, and yet keeps it true to form. The book is quite long, and yet I could not stop reading, looking to find a way to find the hope behind the horrors involved. Even the ending takes you into another twist that you do not see coming.
I would recommend this book to any who have been or know someone who has been through this harrowing situation. This happens every day to both young and old and makes you challenge the thoughts you carry. This would be a strong recommendation for a book club or reading group. The work is something you may want to discuss with others, the chill is hard to dispel. Brinling has brought forth a subject that is not comfortable, and put a new face on it.
This book was received as a free copy from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
I don't think I have ever read a novel quite like this, and I must say, the description doesn't do it justice. Yes, it does deal with those topics listed, but it deals with them through a unique perspective - Chris Carter's. Chris is fully aware mentally of what goes on around him, while he remains comatose and hospitalized following a brutal and seemingly senseless attack. His family is then forced to face a heartbreaking truth when he doesn't wake up. In America, you have the right to live, but not the right to die. Everyone around him has no idea he's fully conscious during his coma, but cannot speak for himself. It's a disturbing and completely captivating point-of-view so often overlooked. Especially, SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT, when he's gut wrenchingly conscious as he is sacrificed in the name of experimental science, by a doctor with no regard for human life. The finale takes place far into the future, and leaves you to wonder just how long he has sat comatose and fully aware, and how that kind of mental torture might feel,
I thoroughly enjoyed the in depth story and the descriptions of the characters. It was hard to put this book down. The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is there were many typos that at times would interfere with the story line or interrupt my flow of reading. But, I wouldn't let the typos keep me from reading this book.
0 Response to "≡ [PDF] Free Shared Emptiness edition by John Brinling Literature Fiction eBooks"
Post a Comment