In this disarming debut, Brian Strause has written a vastly entertaining novel about an American family transfixed by a series of mysterious events...
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Mar 01, 2007
Mallory
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A strange and haunting novel about a young man who, on the evening of his High School Senior Prom, finds his little sister floating face down in the family pool. Annika falls into a persistant vegetative state (PVS - think Terry Schaivo) and the family takes her home to care for her. Strange things begin to happen, however, as Annika begins to stigmata.
Using Catholicism, mysticism and a beautiful style, the author creates a coming of age story for his protaginast that rivals The Ca More...
Using Catholicism, mysticism and a beautiful style, the author creates a coming of age story for his protaginast that rivals The Ca More...
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Nov 13, 2007
Kendra
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On the night of his senior prom, Monroe finds his younger sister, Annika, floating facedown in the family's pool. I'd have been MORE interested if the book was just about the effect that Annika's coma has on the family, but instead, Annika becomes famous as people all over the country become convinced that she is a "victim soul" who can cure others by taking on their pain and suffering. I did like the book, but I got irritated with all of the "miracle" crap -- even though M
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Apr 01, 2009
Susan
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I heard the author read from this book at Grinnell College in Iowa. I bought it right away because I really liked Brian. It isn't the fastest read but it definitely is worth the time spent. I thought of it as the sort of book you have to suspend your sense of reality to enjoy. You can't question why things happen, or whether things seem real, you just accept it as part of the story and wait to see how it all comes out. Maybe A Miracle is a sensitive, witty, ironic and irreverent story sharing
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Jun 03, 2010
Kelly
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"There are two ways to live your life-- believing that everything is a miracle or that nothing is." - Albert Einstein"
"People always say dance like no one's watching, but the thing to remember is this: they are watching and you can bet they wish they were dancing too."
"I shouldn't be surprised Emily's a really good dancer. She takes my lead, not that we're doing anything fancy, but I can feel her trust. It's easy, like a conversation you d More...
"People always say dance like no one's watching, but the thing to remember is this: they are watching and you can bet they wish they were dancing too."
"I shouldn't be surprised Emily's a really good dancer. She takes my lead, not that we're doing anything fancy, but I can feel her trust. It's easy, like a conversation you d More...
Jan 12, 2009
Sara
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I was given this book by my then housemate as a Christmas present. He, himself, had never read it or even heard anything about it. It's always an interesting experience going into a book knowing nothing about it good or bad other than that it's on your shelf in the to-be-read pile.
The book is centered on a teenager whose little sister is in a coma. The story is about how he manages to cope with the situation while surviving the coping strategies of the rest of his family. It's ki More...
The book is centered on a teenager whose little sister is in a coma. The story is about how he manages to cope with the situation while surviving the coping strategies of the rest of his family. It's ki More...
Jul 28, 2010
Megan
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Definitely an interesting and unique story. I loved the dry, sarcastic humor and appreciated the provocative views on religion and faith from the narrator. The book not only challenges some of the social establishments in our society, but also reinforces the importance of hope with the same vigor.
As someone in my early 20's, I felt the author did an excellent job in epitomizing the thought process of a young adult. Also, being from Ohio and a huge OSU and Cincinnati Reds fan, the Ohio refe More...
As someone in my early 20's, I felt the author did an excellent job in epitomizing the thought process of a young adult. Also, being from Ohio and a huge OSU and Cincinnati Reds fan, the Ohio refe More...
Apr 11, 2011
Katie
rated it:
Some GREAT quotes in this book.
Here are a couple:
"Maybe its not what you believe in, just that you believe in the first place."
"... you can spend your whole life living up or down to other people's expectations, but in the end, the only thing that matters is living up to your own."
"For those who believe, there's no explanation needed. For those who don't believe, no explanation will suffice."
"It's like life's th More...
Here are a couple:
"Maybe its not what you believe in, just that you believe in the first place."
"... you can spend your whole life living up or down to other people's expectations, but in the end, the only thing that matters is living up to your own."
"For those who believe, there's no explanation needed. For those who don't believe, no explanation will suffice."
"It's like life's th More...
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Nov 17, 2010
Elaine
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Maybe a Miracle by Brian Strause was one of the best books I have read in a while. I literally could not put it down! Ending was, eh, but the rest of the story more than made up for it! Strause is amazing at building characters and I felt like I knew Monroe (the main character) intimately. He was so real. I actually think that – if done well – this would be a good indie film. Anyway, the story is unique, extremely well written and very engaging. It’s funny and tragic at the same time. If you liv
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Aug 14, 2009
Moni
rated it:
Written 6/27/08
I liked it- The story of a boy who finds his little sister face down in a pool...she's in a coma for a little over 2 years. She has stigmata and her mother and the Father of her church use that as a "calling", for two years she lays in her bed while sick and dying people come to see her, pray with or to her...some of them are healed. She wakes in the end when her brother kidnaps her from a gathering in which she was the headliner- he takes her to a baseball More...
I liked it- The story of a boy who finds his little sister face down in a pool...she's in a coma for a little over 2 years. She has stigmata and her mother and the Father of her church use that as a "calling", for two years she lays in her bed while sick and dying people come to see her, pray with or to her...some of them are healed. She wakes in the end when her brother kidnaps her from a gathering in which she was the headliner- he takes her to a baseball More...
Apr 26, 2007
Rosey
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really enjoyed this one a LOT!!! It was about a teenager boy who was on his way his senior prom, but saw his younger sister, Annika, laying face-down in the family's swimming pool. He rescued her and brought her back to life, but then she slipped into a coma. This event changed the family a lot in various ways, and what I enjoy the most was the main character, Monroe's thoughts to himself. The reviews compared him to Holden Caulfield of The Catcher in the Rye. He was very witty, and so real. I e
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Oct 25, 2011
Laura
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I thought it was okay; not great, not something I probably would have picked up had I known more about it, just so-so. The back cover really doesn't give much information on the book so I wasn't expecting the heavy religious theme. The story centers around a family in which the daughter falls into a coma/vegetative state and small miracles happen all around her. (Healings, stigmata, etc.) The ending was a bit of a twist which I appriciated and opened the door to some deeper thoughts about the w
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Feb 03, 2010
Molly
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For some reason this book did not do much for me. I enjoyed the beginning and the end, and thought the epilogue was really great, probably the best part of the book. However, there was a lot in the middle that just seemed to drag on for me.
I think that the author had some interesting points, but I just wish that it would have kept my attention better. I'm not saying its bad book, just could have been done differently maybe.
I think that the author had some interesting points, but I just wish that it would have kept my attention better. I'm not saying its bad book, just could have been done differently maybe.
Jun 30, 2011
Jesseca
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It was a fun book and I'd definitely not compare it to Catcher in the Rye only because I HATED that book... this one had more depth and felt less like a bitchy kid whining about life. What I didn't like about it was the portrayal of the Catholic church as well as some of the incorrect "facts" about it. Overall, it was a good book, but could use some fine tuning.
Dec 17, 2009
Jenny
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I think I wanted more from this book than it was able to give. The narrator's preteen sister falls into the family swimming pool and the narrator saves her, only to have her fall into a coma for over two years, during which all manner of miracles seem to be caused by the girl. I liked the interplay between faith and reason, and I liked how authentic the narration felt, but I think I wanted more credence given to the miracles, and the faith these inspired in the mom of the family and in all manne
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Aug 22, 2011
Annie
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i didn't love this book. perhaps it had an interesting storyline, but i was too distracted by the wholesale cut-and-paste of my hometown (the author grew up there, too) into the book. it didn't feel like fiction; maybe more like fantasy, or an essay on "what i wish i had done on my summer vacation."
Mar 30, 2009
Kayla
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It's a very interesting story full of humor. It has several valuable life lessons and it's a fast read. The characters are also easy to relate to which makes the story flow that much smoother. This book is unique and I would recommend it because there is something for everything to identify with.
Jul 08, 2011
Ashley Lane
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I don't really know what I think about this book- but I know it was good.
I don't feel the way Monroe does about God. And I think it's sad that the clergy and even his own mother give him a bad image of Christianity. But it's a great read and, honestly, his questions are poignant and real. And his love for his sister is completely moving.
I don't feel the way Monroe does about God. And I think it's sad that the clergy and even his own mother give him a bad image of Christianity. But it's a great read and, honestly, his questions are poignant and real. And his love for his sister is completely moving.
Oct 21, 2008
Hannah
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This was an excellent book. I found my self not wanting to put it down due to the fact that there was never a dull moment. The book was about a girl that goes into a coma and how her family copes with it. I found it very interesting because it shows how different people cope with tragedy. The story goes through the two years that she is in a coma. The mother finds religion, the father leaves, drinks and eats, while the brother struggles with his emotions. The brother, the only reason why his sis
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Dec 31, 2010
Lori
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I didn't expect to like this story, but was happily surprised. I quickly got caught up in the tale and thoroughly enjoyed it and most of the characters. I'm not a believer in religious miracles, but appreciate their addition to this tale.
Jan 24, 2012
Crystal
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The story seemed ok, although I just couldn't get into it. What really turned me off of this book though was the amount of times "retarded" and "fag" were used as derogatory terms. The non-chalant use of these words in the form of insults is just not ok with me.
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Jul 22, 2008
Rachael
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Hilarious! Monroe's little sister, Anika, drowns and ends up in a coma. Suddenly, there are miracles all around her: the smell of roses, stigmata, people being healed. She becomes a religious attraction, which Monroe details in the book in a well-executed voice. He's the best part - a sarcastic little piss-ant. I appreciated the conclusion, with Anika coming back to conciousness to bad mouth all the ridiculous 'religious' beliefs, but that's not surprising, since I have little patience for
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Jul 21, 2011
Bkh4
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This book had great promise. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book. I really feel the book lost momentum and became a different book entirely in the last half. Overall, it was very disappointing.
Jun 30, 2009
Kelli
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Read this one on the beach in Clearwater, Florida. Good story - interesting - the characters are dealing with a child in a coma. The complex family dynamics make it worthwhile.
Oct 11, 2010
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Mar 25, 2011
Chelsea
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Hilarious, riveting, and mysteriously deep. I can pick this book up any time, in any mood - and turn to any chapter or any page - and get something out of it.
Nov 26, 2009
Anissa
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I enjoyed this book, The characters are likeable and the story line keeps you involved. But I was disappointed with the ending of this book.
Jan 30, 2012
Janet
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I borrowed this book from the library, because the author was an emerging author. The story seemed a bit "out there" for my taste.
Feb 15, 2010
James
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Heard great things about it at a Writer's Digest conference. I liked the book okay but didn't think it was anything special.
Oct 09, 2007
Bridget
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This book surprised me. A friend told me about it, and I found it a surprisingly engaging story. The story is told by a teenage boy, who comes home one day to find his little sister at the bottom of the pool. He gets her out, and she ends up in a coma. It follows the family over the next year or so, and how the family/friends react. The interesting part is the miracles appear to happen around her, so she becomes a media sensation. Now, normally I would think this sounds very hoaky, but I r
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Feb 25, 2009
This book is hilarious!! I loved the sarcastic teenage narrator and his religious insights.
