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144th out of 289 books
—
282 voters
Simon's Choice
"But Daddy, who will live with me in heaven?" Doctor Simon Bailey has everything a man could ever want. Then his beautiful daughter is diagnosed with Leukemia. He can almost accept her impending death. He can almost accept the fact that he will have to live without her. But he cannot stand the thought of his little girl having to face death alone.
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
July 10th 2010
by Night Publishing
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Sarah Bailey war fünf Jahre alt als sie an Leukämie erkrankte. Jetzt ist sie in Remission. Doch der Krebs kehrt zurück und die ihr verbleibende Lebenszeit sind nur noch wenige Monate. Sie hat Angst vor dem Tod und dass sie dann ganz allein im Himmel sein wird, weil sie noch niemals jemanden gekannt hatte, der gestorben ist. Ihr Vater Simon verspricht ihr in seiner Verzweiflung, dass er sie in den Himmel begleiten wird.
"Would you know my name...more
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you
Castle's book gets 3 stars for how she handles the grief a parent must go through when they are faced with the terminal illness of their child. She does a decent job of painting the picture of what grief looks and feels like in the face of a child's death. For my personal taste she gets points off for the unnecessary use of language. What is it with British authors and their love of vulgar language? And most times unnecessary? Sure a person grieving may slip in a word or two every now and then b...more
I read the first part of Simon's Choice on the writer's site, Authonomy, and once I could get my hot little hands on it, read the book in two nights. That's how good it was for me. The premise is so clever. It's such a ridiculously illogical answer to give a child, particularly when you think that most parents will try not to lie, just give the answer as tactfully as possible. But how on earth would you answer a child's desperate and scared plea for a hand to hold in the unknown world to which t...more
Simon's Choice If you are looking for a book that is going to have an emotional impact on you, then this is it.
Charlotte Castle's "Simon's Choice" is a narrative that explores the impact of child leukaemia on a middle-class British family. While the blurb sounded interesting, I was concerned the story would be delivered in an overly sentimental way. However, it wasn't.
Castle portrays the family of Simon, Melissa and Sarah with compassion and credibility. She draws the reader into their world o...more
Charlotte Castle's "Simon's Choice" is a narrative that explores the impact of child leukaemia on a middle-class British family. While the blurb sounded interesting, I was concerned the story would be delivered in an overly sentimental way. However, it wasn't.
Castle portrays the family of Simon, Melissa and Sarah with compassion and credibility. She draws the reader into their world o...more
Sep 20, 2010
Sheila
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
current_issues,
relationships
Simon’s Choice by Charlotte Castle is a wondrous ride through the comedy and terrible tragedy of family life and death. The dialog’s spot-on, from careless remark, to kindly encouragement, to condemnation and despair. The background is picture-perfect England. The characters are entirely believable, and the agony all too real. It’s a novel that will leave you crying at the end, and remembering forever. If you want to know how you would feel if a child were dying, if you want to know why “I’m sor...more
Simon's Choice is an intense and heartbreaking look into families who are affected by a child's terminal illness. This family has been through treatments, periods of remission, and sadly the leukemia came back again and this time there would be no remission.
Simon's daughter Sarah has terminal leukemia. Simon, with all his medical training, is helpless and unable to protect the one person he loved more than life itself, Simon turns to alcohol to numb the pain. I could only imagine the pain and he...more
Simon's daughter Sarah has terminal leukemia. Simon, with all his medical training, is helpless and unable to protect the one person he loved more than life itself, Simon turns to alcohol to numb the pain. I could only imagine the pain and he...more
According to my e-reader, I read 3% of this book.
I expected to love this book. I expected it to grab me and hold my attention - given the ratings.
The descriptions of Sarah excelled - "He flinched as her face crumpled with pity as she took in Sarah's head, her skull looking as fragile as a bird's in its pinkly naked state."
However, I was disappointed. I did not expect it to make me feel like I was wasting my time.
As a RN, I care. I have worked on oncology floors and have worked with parents w...more
I expected to love this book. I expected it to grab me and hold my attention - given the ratings.
The descriptions of Sarah excelled - "He flinched as her face crumpled with pity as she took in Sarah's head, her skull looking as fragile as a bird's in its pinkly naked state."
However, I was disappointed. I did not expect it to make me feel like I was wasting my time.
As a RN, I care. I have worked on oncology floors and have worked with parents w...more
The topic of a seven year old child dying of leukemia could have come across almost as insufferably as the fictional tragedy itself, but in Ms. Castle's hands it doesn't. It comes over exceptionally powerfully, warmly, movingly, provocatively, inevitably.
There were times I could have hugged the characters and others when I could have thrown a very sharp plate at Melissa, which means that this book probably works just as well for men as for women.
This is a really involving book which is as much a...more
There were times I could have hugged the characters and others when I could have thrown a very sharp plate at Melissa, which means that this book probably works just as well for men as for women.
This is a really involving book which is as much a...more
I was a little apprehensive about reading Charlotte’s book. Would I feel far to empathetic and find the subject of a child’s death and imagining how it would be as a parent, too difficult?
Regardless I turned to page 1. Two days later I have finished this brilliant book. This story has it all, emotion, light hearted moments and ultimately, although it is surrounded by death, has a ‘happy’ ending which left me smiling and it was a total surprise.
I felt angry at Melissa for being so spiteful. I was...more
Regardless I turned to page 1. Two days later I have finished this brilliant book. This story has it all, emotion, light hearted moments and ultimately, although it is surrounded by death, has a ‘happy’ ending which left me smiling and it was a total surprise.
I felt angry at Melissa for being so spiteful. I was...more
Simon's Choice is an emotional journey and Charlotte Castle deals with the subject matter in a marvelous way. Her characters are well rounded and believable. Through them she connects the reader to the story. Though there is an obvious need for drama in a book which focuses on childhood leukemia, the story isn't weighted down by the drama. Filled with touching and lighthearted moments, the story moves fluidly. I truly found this book to be one which I couldn't put down. I wasn't sure how Ms. Cas...more
Enjoyed the read as it was easy and the topic is certainly easy to connect with (as a parent or anyone who loves children) with minimal effort from the author. Yet left greatly dissatisfied at the end as the gravity of the topic and the characters state of minds left hanging in my opinion. We were just starting to see Simon and fully understand his journey through losing a child. And just like that it was over. I'm not saying it needed a long drawn out ending but it was sadly lacking closure and...more
How do you review a book such as this? A book that punches you in the gut and leaves you hungry for air.
Charlotte Castle has written this piece with such warmth, the characters become our friends, and together we watch and listen as they tear each other apart. The imminent death of a beloved child finally and ruthlessly slashing it's dreadful way through the shaking remains of their marriage.
Not maudlin, as it could well have been. The authors talented pen takes you beyond that easy route into t...more
Charlotte Castle has written this piece with such warmth, the characters become our friends, and together we watch and listen as they tear each other apart. The imminent death of a beloved child finally and ruthlessly slashing it's dreadful way through the shaking remains of their marriage.
Not maudlin, as it could well have been. The authors talented pen takes you beyond that easy route into t...more
This is am amazing story to read. You take a break from your real like to live with Simon as he goes on his journey while his daughter is dieing of cancer. Simon has told his daughter that he will go to Heaven with her. He then has to make a decision as his life is falling to pieces around him, if he will take his life to be with his daughter Sarah, or if he will continue in life. Once you start this book, its going to be impossible to put down. You feel so much emotion in this book. Be sure to...more
While dealing with the pretty tough topic of a child dying from leukemia, the author mainly focused on the emotions of the parents. From anger...to self medication...to blame...to guilt...to marital stress...to the questioning of faith in God...to depression; the author takes you through what, I would think, would be typical for parents dealing with the impending loss of their child. I found the book to be enlightening and I definitely recommend it. An added bonus for me is that it was a free Ki...more
“Papa…with whom I’ll stay in the heaven? Does it hurt dying, papa?” asks a dying seven years old daughter Sarah to her father Simon.
Can a father answer these questions? Can he wait for death of his lovely Sarah? Can he love his wife Mellissa? Can the 12 years of marriage withstand the gradual tilt of attention away from the wife?
Want answers to these questions…read Simon’s Choice: a brilliant novel of difference, away from genre. This book has everything, love, hatred, passion, simplicity, inno...more
Can a father answer these questions? Can he wait for death of his lovely Sarah? Can he love his wife Mellissa? Can the 12 years of marriage withstand the gradual tilt of attention away from the wife?
Want answers to these questions…read Simon’s Choice: a brilliant novel of difference, away from genre. This book has everything, love, hatred, passion, simplicity, inno...more
Simon's Choice is a excellent novel, I just can't say enough good things about it. I found it by chance on Smashwords right after I had purchased my Nook with only 2 reviews (both 5 stars by the way).
This story immediately gripped me. You have two loving parents and one little girl, and all of them are facing an imminent death (the little girl's). She's their only child and doesn't want to die alone, so she asks her daddy if he will go with her to Heaven.
Thus begins a stormy story of how a famil...more
This story immediately gripped me. You have two loving parents and one little girl, and all of them are facing an imminent death (the little girl's). She's their only child and doesn't want to die alone, so she asks her daddy if he will go with her to Heaven.
Thus begins a stormy story of how a famil...more
I love my kids so fiercely that I cannot imagine them being struck by such terrible disease. However, I have witnessed my mom fade away from us the same way as Sarah did so I was expecting the book to hit close to home. To my disappointment, it did not.
The one and only time it became a page turner for me was the part when Simon was unjustifiably treated as an insane man by those around him, thrown out of the house and almost barred from seeing his daughter who by the way, was only days away from...more
The one and only time it became a page turner for me was the part when Simon was unjustifiably treated as an insane man by those around him, thrown out of the house and almost barred from seeing his daughter who by the way, was only days away from...more
Surprise like! I expected this depressing topic of childhood leukemia to overwhelm any enjoyment to be gained from reading this book, but was pleasantly surprised. The story is that of Simon, the father of the diagnosed child, and how such a diagnosis can be accepted. This is one of many freebies I've acquired recently, and worth the read.
I loved this book! Finally, a parent who thinks like I do. Unfortunately the parent is a fictional character, but it is nice to know that I am not alone in my thinking about children and how to be the best parent you can be. Even if that means telling your child that you will go to heaven with them so that they're not scared to go alone.
What a great book. Even though it wasn't a tear-jerker for me, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The main character, Simon, was someone I connected with on a deep level. His daughter is dying and her parents and grandparents must come to terms with it. The ending was such a nice surprise that I was happy at the ending.
The main character, Simon, was someone I connected with on a deep level. His daughter is dying and her parents and grandparents must come to terms with it. The ending was such a nice surprise that I was happy at the ending.
1 like · like · see review
A novel about a modern English family struggling with the serious illness of their only child is not a cheerful subject, but Castle has done an excellent job and it's a fast read. It's told from the physician father's point of view. Sensitive and realistic. I recommend it.
A book that has received higher reviews than i have given it.
Don't get me wrong, i loved this book by the end. I loved it at the beginning. The middle, well, while i understood and appreciated the raw emotions, i was still frustrated with the characters. So i guess my 3 stars of because i was annoyed at the characters rather than the writing quality.
The characters were well portrayed and the conclusion as fitting as it needed to be.
I really enjoyed this book, just not sure i could go through tho...more
Don't get me wrong, i loved this book by the end. I loved it at the beginning. The middle, well, while i understood and appreciated the raw emotions, i was still frustrated with the characters. So i guess my 3 stars of because i was annoyed at the characters rather than the writing quality.
The characters were well portrayed and the conclusion as fitting as it needed to be.
I really enjoyed this book, just not sure i could go through tho...more
Really good book. It had a slight twist to the end that I never saw coming. This book gives you an insight on what some parent's have to deal with when their child has cancer or a terminal illness. It paints a clear picture of the stresses and grief they live with and the toll it takes on a relationship. I enjoyed reading this book.
oh. my. God. What to say. What happens when the love of your life is dying? Told from the point of view of the father/husband, it's a brutal and honest portrayal of what happens when you are put in this situation. I cried buckets.
Very sad but well written story of a family struggling with the intense emotions surrounding the death of 7 year old Sarah. The book spans the few months when her leukemia goes out of remission until she dies in a children's hospice.
Good story. Sad to think that there are people out there who go through this in real life. It's a process we must deal with,life,death,guilt,anger.... Sometimes it's just to much to deal with.
Writing was fine, story depressing. Not a good uplifting read but did raise some interesting questions about heaven and religion. The ending, although making the reader feel somewhat better about the situation, was a bit of a cop out.
Aug 06, 2010
Leslie Nugent
added it
A Great book. It is on my favorite list. This is about a family who is dealing with an only child who has terminal cancer. Well written. A Very difficult topic but worth the read.
I thought I'd love this book but it turned out to be a disappointment. The way it was written felt too shallow for such a strong, deep plot. It could've been so much better.
I really enjoyed this book even though it was such a very sad topic. I cannot imagine having to go through something like this with one of my children and I believe it would make me crazy also.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review at Becksbookpicks.blogspot.com | 1 | 4 | Jul 23, 2010 12:26pm | |
| Review by TiffanysBookshelf.blogspot.com | 1 | 3 | Jul 19, 2010 03:41am |
Apr 21, 2011 06:53pm