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The Donor
Will Marion has two perfect kidneys. His daughters aren't so lucky. Question is: which one should he save? Will's 47. His wife bailed out when the twins were in nappies and hasn't been seen since. He coped OK by himself at first, giving Georgie and Kay all the love he could, working in a boring admin job to support them. Just after the twins turn sixteen, Georgie suffers kidney failure and is placed on dialysis. Her type is rare, and Will immediately offers to donate an organ. Without a transplant, she would probably never see adulthood. So far so good. But then Kay gets sick. She's also sixteen. Just as precious. Her kidney type just as rare. Time is critical, and he has to make a decision. Should be buy a kidney - be an organ tourist? Should be save one child? If so, which one? Should be sacrifice himself? Or is there a fourth solution - one so terrible it has never even crossed his mind?
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2011
37 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Helen Fitzgerald
20 books345 followersHelen FitzGerald is the second youngest of thirteen children. She grew up in the small town of Kilmore, Victoria, Australia, and studied English and History at the University of Melbourne. Via India and London, Helen came to Glasgow University where she completed a Diploma and Masters in Social Work. She works part time as a criminal justice social worker in Glasgow. She's married to screenwriter Sergio Casci, and they have two children.
Follow her on twitter @fitzhelen
Follow her on twitter @fitzhelen
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
June 7, 2012
I've read the Amazon reviews on this one with increasing incredulity. Recommended to fans of Diane Chamberlain and Jodi Picoult? Really? This is a really black tale set in Glasgow, set among the useless and hopeless, with some of the most disfunctional and unlikeable characters I've ever come across. Will is boredom personified, Georgie (one daughter) is someone you'd cross the street to avoid, Kay, the other daughter, is so perfect she could sprout wings. The mother - selfish drug addict with no redeeming features. So why did I have a tear in my eye at the end? I'm getting to really love Helen Fitzgerald's angry, edgy writing. Loved this one... but if you're expecting a Jodi Picoult style treatment you'll be so disappointed.
August 5, 2016
Reading the summary at the back, I expected the novel to be focused around an impossible moral dilemma - which daughter to save? I expected it to tug at your heartstrings as you get attached to both girls, with two, very distinct personalities, but both as developed, as important as the other. I expected the father to be completely unable to choose between them, as he loved them both equally. What I got instead
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(As requested, I'm adding the unedited review I gave to a friend - hope you're happy)
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(As requested, I'm adding the unedited review I gave to a friend - hope you're happy)
November 19, 2011
What if you were the only parent of two children and it was within your power to save one of their lives, but not both? How is such a decision even possible? How would you live with yourself whichever child you decided should live? How would the child you decided to sacrifice view you before she died? How would the child you saved regard you?
How would you look at yourself, no matter what choice you made?
I’ve just finished reading Helen FitzGerald’s novel, The Donor, which poses this very same problem for Will Marion whose wife Cynthia left him years ago for her criminal boyfriend, leaving their twin daughters, Georgie and Kay for Will to raise.
Twin daughters who both develop kidney disease and need transplants to survive.
I can’t remark on the plot much because it has multiple twists and turns that the reader should discover for him- or herself. Suffice to say that this is a complicated, multi-layered story that surprises at every turn, the tension building until it’s excruciating. Any parent that reads it will be forced to consider their own children and wonder how they’d react—what they’d do in the same circumstance.
It’s a brilliant character study of the three main players—the father and his two daughters--as each work through the psychological minefield individually. FitzGerald has delivered a powerful drama, gorgeously writ with grace, black humor, and compassion, and is the kind of literature one seizes upon when encountering its like and proclaims to all who will listen: Read this book!
I’m drained.
Emotionally spent.
How did it affect me?
The instant I read the last page, I drove down to my local license bureau and changed my driver’s license so that it showed I’m an organ donor. That’s how powerful it was. As perhaps an interesting aside, in a conversation with Ms. FitzGerald, when I told her what I’d done she revealed that she’d done the same thing in the midst of writing the book. I think many readers will do the same thing. I don’t know of many novels that trigger this kind of action.
How would you look at yourself, no matter what choice you made?
I’ve just finished reading Helen FitzGerald’s novel, The Donor, which poses this very same problem for Will Marion whose wife Cynthia left him years ago for her criminal boyfriend, leaving their twin daughters, Georgie and Kay for Will to raise.
Twin daughters who both develop kidney disease and need transplants to survive.
I can’t remark on the plot much because it has multiple twists and turns that the reader should discover for him- or herself. Suffice to say that this is a complicated, multi-layered story that surprises at every turn, the tension building until it’s excruciating. Any parent that reads it will be forced to consider their own children and wonder how they’d react—what they’d do in the same circumstance.
It’s a brilliant character study of the three main players—the father and his two daughters--as each work through the psychological minefield individually. FitzGerald has delivered a powerful drama, gorgeously writ with grace, black humor, and compassion, and is the kind of literature one seizes upon when encountering its like and proclaims to all who will listen: Read this book!
I’m drained.
Emotionally spent.
How did it affect me?
The instant I read the last page, I drove down to my local license bureau and changed my driver’s license so that it showed I’m an organ donor. That’s how powerful it was. As perhaps an interesting aside, in a conversation with Ms. FitzGerald, when I told her what I’d done she revealed that she’d done the same thing in the midst of writing the book. I think many readers will do the same thing. I don’t know of many novels that trigger this kind of action.
April 5, 2020
Listened to the audio version. Read by Reanne Farley.
Loved this emotional thriller. My first read by this author, I can see myself picking up/listening to more of Helen Fitzgerald’s books.
The Donor started out as a sweet story but turned suspenseful halfway through and violent at about the three quarter mark which had me listening intently as the storyline was completely gripping.
A tad dark and warped but nonetheless a fabulous story with a hint of humour and unforeseen twists.
Loved this emotional thriller. My first read by this author, I can see myself picking up/listening to more of Helen Fitzgerald’s books.
The Donor started out as a sweet story but turned suspenseful halfway through and violent at about the three quarter mark which had me listening intently as the storyline was completely gripping.
A tad dark and warped but nonetheless a fabulous story with a hint of humour and unforeseen twists.
July 12, 2012
This book is, frankly, trashy. Really trashy. The characters are paper-thin (the dutiful but boring dad! the flighty drug-addict runaway mum! her scumbag husband! the bad twin, all sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll and screaming fits! the good twin, all saintly halo and perfect temper!) and never once ascend above the annoying stereotypes they have been given. The twins are particularly frustrating characters - Georgie, the "bad" twin, is not "bad" in as in "evil", but she is foul-tempered, foul-mouthed, violent and she has always been this way. Kay, on the other hand, is perfect. Sweet, loving, ambitious, NEVER a cross word to her dad. There are simply no people like this, no people who are such extremes. And it is vital to sympathise with the twins, which I didn't.
The plotting is addictive but atrocious. I read this one really quickly, and I didn't stop reading for a lot of it. It's fast-paced and the writing is so minimalist that you can get through a lot very snappily. But Fitzgerald totally fails to capitalise on any of the interesting things about her premise. Should he let one girl die? Will only contemplates that very briefly, and while on drugs. Doesn't go through with the organ donation thing. The twist about the parentage is no twist at all because it's obvious from the start. The plotting is pure pulp, with a special mention to the end, which is so XXX that I spent most of it saying, "Oh, God, it's not going there..." (but it is, and it's sad that the novel had to end on such a duff note, because my rating might have been kinder had that not left a sour taste in my mouth.)
There are so many strands that seem pointless or left hanging, such as Georgie's brief, bizarre non-relationship with the seventeen-year-old stalker Will hires to track down Georgie's mother, which just ends, or my personal favourite, Will's relationship with Linda, which seems to be there solely to assure the adult readers that, really, ignore the two eighteen-year-olds that are central to the plot, this is not a YA novel. I have no problem with sex scenes, even the S+M ones on display here - they're not at all graphic, but they are so pointless and gratuitious, contributing absolutely nothing to the plot except another character and a bit of very "adult" sex. Yawn. It felt like it was supposed to be funny, which it wasn't.
And yet the writing is good. The humour is especially great. Even though I don't have my book to hand, I can still summon up this one from my memory: Will is watching his twin girls in the hospital beds, both of them are very sick and he's beside himself with worry: "Will would have shot himself right then and there had his gun not been filed under G in his filing cabinet."
The plotting is addictive but atrocious. I read this one really quickly, and I didn't stop reading for a lot of it. It's fast-paced and the writing is so minimalist that you can get through a lot very snappily. But Fitzgerald totally fails to capitalise on any of the interesting things about her premise. Should he let one girl die? Will only contemplates that very briefly, and while on drugs. Doesn't go through with the organ donation thing. The twist about the parentage is no twist at all because it's obvious from the start. The plotting is pure pulp, with a special mention to the end, which is so XXX that I spent most of it saying, "Oh, God, it's not going there..." (but it is, and it's sad that the novel had to end on such a duff note, because my rating might have been kinder had that not left a sour taste in my mouth.)
There are so many strands that seem pointless or left hanging, such as Georgie's brief, bizarre non-relationship with the seventeen-year-old stalker Will hires to track down Georgie's mother, which just ends, or my personal favourite, Will's relationship with Linda, which seems to be there solely to assure the adult readers that, really, ignore the two eighteen-year-olds that are central to the plot, this is not a YA novel. I have no problem with sex scenes, even the S+M ones on display here - they're not at all graphic, but they are so pointless and gratuitious, contributing absolutely nothing to the plot except another character and a bit of very "adult" sex. Yawn. It felt like it was supposed to be funny, which it wasn't.
And yet the writing is good. The humour is especially great. Even though I don't have my book to hand, I can still summon up this one from my memory: Will is watching his twin girls in the hospital beds, both of them are very sick and he's beside himself with worry: "Will would have shot himself right then and there had his gun not been filed under G in his filing cabinet."
January 18, 2013
From my blog
What an emotional thriller. A single father with twin daughters who were abandoned by the heroine addict mother. This book has young adult scenarios, drugs, violence, organ donor info and parenting all wrapped up in this tragic sad story.
The Donor was told by all characters which I enjoyed, but mainly Will, the father. The voices were distinct but the overall style at times didn't flow, something felt off to me.
Such a sweet story at first, the unique spin of having a single father bringing up his girls and genuinely missing and loving the mom. The parenting was comforting and realistic with learning as he goes. He is not a man that makes decisions, his choice is just to make others happy by going with whatever they wanted. Consequences and decision making was a huge take away from this story, how others are affected and when extreme thoughts are pursued or even thought about.
Growing up Kay was the idealistic child and Gracie was the moody unapproachable child. Twins but different in every way. The way they approached life and then their illness was described in an effective heartbreaking way.
When they found out both girls were sick, Will knew he had to find the mother. This journey, the planning and action was a highlight. The teenager who accepted the case to find the mother and Will's notes on how to choose which daughter was hilarious and painstakingly stupid but entertaining, both add to consequences of how it ends.
There was a major mouth open moment which was obvious to me but I think won't be to all and will add to the realistic drama of events. Scenes involving a neighbour I thought was over the top and completely unnecessary, may even disgust some readers.
Overall a great adult fiction thriller. It made me think of a few novels, My Sisters Keeper/Jodi P, Gone Girl/Gillian F and After You/Julie B.
Favourite quote
For the first time ever, he completely lost it: yelling and screaming in the hospital, trying to hit that wretched feral stray who was my mother. That's what happens when you store shit inside for a lifetime. It rots, then explodes.
What an emotional thriller. A single father with twin daughters who were abandoned by the heroine addict mother. This book has young adult scenarios, drugs, violence, organ donor info and parenting all wrapped up in this tragic sad story.
The Donor was told by all characters which I enjoyed, but mainly Will, the father. The voices were distinct but the overall style at times didn't flow, something felt off to me.
Such a sweet story at first, the unique spin of having a single father bringing up his girls and genuinely missing and loving the mom. The parenting was comforting and realistic with learning as he goes. He is not a man that makes decisions, his choice is just to make others happy by going with whatever they wanted. Consequences and decision making was a huge take away from this story, how others are affected and when extreme thoughts are pursued or even thought about.
Growing up Kay was the idealistic child and Gracie was the moody unapproachable child. Twins but different in every way. The way they approached life and then their illness was described in an effective heartbreaking way.
When they found out both girls were sick, Will knew he had to find the mother. This journey, the planning and action was a highlight. The teenager who accepted the case to find the mother and Will's notes on how to choose which daughter was hilarious and painstakingly stupid but entertaining, both add to consequences of how it ends.
There was a major mouth open moment which was obvious to me but I think won't be to all and will add to the realistic drama of events. Scenes involving a neighbour I thought was over the top and completely unnecessary, may even disgust some readers.
Overall a great adult fiction thriller. It made me think of a few novels, My Sisters Keeper/Jodi P, Gone Girl/Gillian F and After You/Julie B.
Favourite quote
For the first time ever, he completely lost it: yelling and screaming in the hospital, trying to hit that wretched feral stray who was my mother. That's what happens when you store shit inside for a lifetime. It rots, then explodes.
March 10, 2013
I did not expect that The Donor would be as laugh-out-loud off-the-wall as Dead Lovely or an ingenue as endearing as Bronny in The Devil's Staircase, yet I was very disappointed and suspect that Helen Fitzgerald's powers of invention failed with this book, in which a clueless and ineffective father has to decide which of his twin daughters will get one of his kidneys. At scarcely a third of the way into the book a simple and quite plausible twist in the plot occurred to me that would take care of this dilemma as well as providing a quite satisfying ending. Although I read lots of mysteries, I am not particularly good at figuring such things out, simply because I don't pay close attention. So I had a moment of being very pleased with myself to have found a plausible, if far too facile, solution. But as I continued with the book the horrible sinking feeling that my simple-minded solution was also the author's, and it was. So three stars is generous. There are some amusing incidents, but why bother?
But I could not resist later checking reviews on Amazon.co.uk and Goodreads to see what other readers thought, and was uttery dumbfounded to discover how may thought The Donor was a serious novel with realistic characters about a father facing a critical ethical and emotional choice. So I suppose we readers come in all sorts and conditions
But I could not resist later checking reviews on Amazon.co.uk and Goodreads to see what other readers thought, and was uttery dumbfounded to discover how may thought The Donor was a serious novel with realistic characters about a father facing a critical ethical and emotional choice. So I suppose we readers come in all sorts and conditions
January 15, 2015
The premise was GREAT, I was expecting a real tearjerker just by reading the description and looking at the cover. I was wrong.
Characters were definitely not likable or relatable, I just felt sorry for Will because, well, his life sucks in any possible way and
People have written about the twist at the end, but halfway through the book (or before that), the author throws in one sentence that lets you know an important fact (no spoilers!) and you kind of expect what's going to happen.
Kind of crappy book, dissapointed :(
Characters were definitely not likable or relatable, I just felt sorry for Will because, well, his life sucks in any possible way and
People have written about the twist at the end, but halfway through the book (or before that), the author throws in one sentence that lets you know an important fact (no spoilers!) and you kind of expect what's going to happen.
Kind of crappy book, dissapointed :(
February 18, 2025
Setting: Glasgow, Scotland; modern day.
Single parent Will Marion is 47 and has twin daughters, Georgie and Kay. He has raised them since their mother, Cynthia, walked out on the family when the girls were three years old, tempted back to her drug addict lifestyle with former boyfriend Heath Jones.
As the girls turn 16, Will has long ceased to hope for any contact from Cynthia - but now both girls are diagnosed with life-threatening kidney disease, both having to undergo regular dialysis sessions whilst waiting for a suitable organ donor. Will assumes that he will be a match for the girls but cannot decide which to save as he can clearly only donate one kidney. Accordingly, he sets out on a search for his missing wife, hoping that she will be in a position to donate as well....
This was an enthralling read, full of moral dilemma but also quite a bit of humour in with the pathos and populated by some great characters, notably Preston, the private detective who Will employs to find his errant wife - and who has only started up his private investigation business because he likes to follow people and thinks it would be great to be actually paid for doing so! A couple of great twists in the tale as well make this an excellent read from this author - 9/10.
Single parent Will Marion is 47 and has twin daughters, Georgie and Kay. He has raised them since their mother, Cynthia, walked out on the family when the girls were three years old, tempted back to her drug addict lifestyle with former boyfriend Heath Jones.
As the girls turn 16, Will has long ceased to hope for any contact from Cynthia - but now both girls are diagnosed with life-threatening kidney disease, both having to undergo regular dialysis sessions whilst waiting for a suitable organ donor. Will assumes that he will be a match for the girls but cannot decide which to save as he can clearly only donate one kidney. Accordingly, he sets out on a search for his missing wife, hoping that she will be in a position to donate as well....
This was an enthralling read, full of moral dilemma but also quite a bit of humour in with the pathos and populated by some great characters, notably Preston, the private detective who Will employs to find his errant wife - and who has only started up his private investigation business because he likes to follow people and thinks it would be great to be actually paid for doing so! A couple of great twists in the tale as well make this an excellent read from this author - 9/10.
April 4, 2021
I read The Cry a few years ago and very much enjoyed it, but sadly this one didn't do it for me. None of the characters were likeable apart from Kay, so I didn't have any sympathy for them. The ending was as predictable but fitting, but was wrapped up rather quickly. I'm not going to let my experience of this put me put this off trying another though, as hopefully the next will be more like The Cry.
August 26, 2019
2.5 stars. Just average for me.
July 28, 2020
Slow start, and a bit confusing in places, but picked up a few chapters in and then I was hooked. Great twists throughout, glad I persevered through the first fifth of the book.
July 26, 2020
You should never judge a book by its cover. Unfortunately, when it comes to actual books, I'm afraid to say that I'm guilty of doing so and this The Donor attracted me on both counts. The title was enough to grab me, but after reading the blurb, I knew I just had to read it straight away. It's been said that this book is perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain and Sophie Hannah, all authors that I've enjoyed in the past. The premise sounded intriguing, it had so much potential, but sadly, this book didn't live up to my expectations at all.
It usually takes me a while to decide whether I like a book or not - I feel I should give them all a fair chance. It's rare that I take such a quick dislike to a book as much I did with this one. Initially, I wasn't a fan of the mix between first and third person narration but I did adjust to it quite quickly, so it didn't pose too much of an issue after I'd read through a quarter of the book. The main reason I didn't like the majority of this book was the pure 'trashiness' of it - I'm certainly not a prude or afraid of expletives but I felt that half of the things in this book were just thrown in for the sake of it. The whole book was littered with random sex scenes and encounters which seemed to hold no purpose whatsoever, not even adding to character relationships or development. There wasn't a chapter that didn't hold a multitude of swearing either, none of which had any real impact as it was just too frequent. Even excusing those first two issues, I had to draw the line at the derogatory language that was used for absolutely no real reason - at the point where one character offhandedly called autistic people 'windowlickers' for absolutely no reason, I had to stop myself from throwing the book across the room. It honestly felt like there was a teenager writing this book, just throwing in anything that they could to be rebellious - this may have benefitted Georgie's narration but it wasn't appropriate for third person.
With a book like this, it's especially important to connect to the characters and feel for them. We're introduced to Will, the unsuccessful parent of Kay and Georgie with a penchant for weed, alcohol and S&M with a married woman who lives nearby. He's probably the most likeable character of them all, showing equal parts of desperation and love for the twins. The twins, both in need of a donor, are polar opposites - Kay is the 'pretty', kind twin and Georgie is the twin that appears to shows only contempt and cruelness. Georgie's character seems to have more development than Kay as she is who narrates alternating chapters. Initially, I strongly disliked her but her character does develop slightly throughout the book. The other characters include Preston, a strange but admittedly intriguing character who is tasked with searching for the mother of the twins, Cynthia, a relentless drug addict with absolutely no redeeming qualities, and her equally dislikable partner, Heath.
Despite my issues with this book, it was a page-turner - it was very easy to read and it didn't have any long or drawn out sections - it didn't become boring, which is an extremely positive point. I got through The Donor very quickly in only a couple of sittings. The book did keep me entertained during the last half in particular. Whilst some of the occurrences in the book seemed slapstick and ridiculous, as simple entertainment, the action and the twists in the book weren't disappointing and kept me reading on, despite my issues with the writing. I believe that the bare bones of a good story are in this book, but unfortunately it's just not quite developed as it should be. Disappointing, but this was likely mostly due to my preconceptions.
It usually takes me a while to decide whether I like a book or not - I feel I should give them all a fair chance. It's rare that I take such a quick dislike to a book as much I did with this one. Initially, I wasn't a fan of the mix between first and third person narration but I did adjust to it quite quickly, so it didn't pose too much of an issue after I'd read through a quarter of the book. The main reason I didn't like the majority of this book was the pure 'trashiness' of it - I'm certainly not a prude or afraid of expletives but I felt that half of the things in this book were just thrown in for the sake of it. The whole book was littered with random sex scenes and encounters which seemed to hold no purpose whatsoever, not even adding to character relationships or development. There wasn't a chapter that didn't hold a multitude of swearing either, none of which had any real impact as it was just too frequent. Even excusing those first two issues, I had to draw the line at the derogatory language that was used for absolutely no real reason - at the point where one character offhandedly called autistic people 'windowlickers' for absolutely no reason, I had to stop myself from throwing the book across the room. It honestly felt like there was a teenager writing this book, just throwing in anything that they could to be rebellious - this may have benefitted Georgie's narration but it wasn't appropriate for third person.
With a book like this, it's especially important to connect to the characters and feel for them. We're introduced to Will, the unsuccessful parent of Kay and Georgie with a penchant for weed, alcohol and S&M with a married woman who lives nearby. He's probably the most likeable character of them all, showing equal parts of desperation and love for the twins. The twins, both in need of a donor, are polar opposites - Kay is the 'pretty', kind twin and Georgie is the twin that appears to shows only contempt and cruelness. Georgie's character seems to have more development than Kay as she is who narrates alternating chapters. Initially, I strongly disliked her but her character does develop slightly throughout the book. The other characters include Preston, a strange but admittedly intriguing character who is tasked with searching for the mother of the twins, Cynthia, a relentless drug addict with absolutely no redeeming qualities, and her equally dislikable partner, Heath.
Despite my issues with this book, it was a page-turner - it was very easy to read and it didn't have any long or drawn out sections - it didn't become boring, which is an extremely positive point. I got through The Donor very quickly in only a couple of sittings. The book did keep me entertained during the last half in particular. Whilst some of the occurrences in the book seemed slapstick and ridiculous, as simple entertainment, the action and the twists in the book weren't disappointing and kept me reading on, despite my issues with the writing. I believe that the bare bones of a good story are in this book, but unfortunately it's just not quite developed as it should be. Disappointing, but this was likely mostly due to my preconceptions.
July 17, 2012
Yeah, yeah, so I've gone soft OK. You're looking at that book cover and thinking "Is he reviewing Chick-Lit now?" Well I'm here to tell you, this aint no fluffy love story with a ridiculously overblown plot (girl meets guy, he's a bad boy, but she wants to tame him, they shag and he doesn't call, he realises he loves her, she forgives and forgets, they get together, get married and live happily ever after. The End.) 'The Donor' epitomises the phrase "Don't judge a book by its cover". And I'll tell you why...
This book has one of the best first 100 pages of a novel I've ever read. Flat-out barnstormingly brilliant opening. Sets up the plot excellently and introduces even small nuances of character in a few sentences. I have no idea how Helen Fitzgerald did that. She manages to give so much information about people, using around 8 words. I'm still trying to work out how she did it. Because I want to be able to do that and then sell the formula.
And this book is all about the people in it. The characters are the heart of 'The Donor'. Yeah, the story plays its part of course, but if you're not with these messed up, flawed and above all REALISTIC characters, there's something wrong with you. I mean how can you not sympathise with 'Will Marion' as he does everything he can to save his daughter's lives, or the two daughter's themselves 'Georgie' and 'Kay', who are so beautifully drawn, by the end you'll be cutting out your own kidney in a bath full of ice, in the hope they can take it.
In those first 100 pages, Fitzgerald manages to grab you by the collar and drag you into this story. Before I knew it, I'd read half the book. I finished it in a day. I couldn't tear my bloodshot, tired eyes away from the pages. I had to read. Fitzgerald writes from the heart, means every word, possibly carves those words into wood with her own blood...I'm not entirely sure.
I may have over identified with this book...maybe if you're a father of two daughters, who spends everyday worried he's going to be left alone to look after them for longer than a day (it's been five years and I still can't do my eldest daughters hair...I mean I can put it in a ponytail and five seconds later she's blowing hair out of her eyes. I just can't do it) you'll understand better. I don't think so however. I think if this book doesn't move you in some way, I mean affect you in a way you weren't expecting, then you have a heart made of moss covered stone. I was shocked at how much this book affected me. It's been a long time since I've read a book which has moved me as much as this one did.
It's all about Helen Fitzgerald's writing. She writes almost poetically, not a wasted word amongst the pages. It's beautifully horrific, takes you to dark places, with an undercurrent of gallows humour throughout. 'The Donor' is about normal people dealing with uncontrollable events. You can instantly identify with characters and feel every emotion they feel throughout. It contains scenes of drug taking, crime, sex and death, gloriously mixing them to make 'The Donor' one of the stand out novels of 2011.
'The Donor' is what fiction should be all about. Real people, believable dialogue, thrilling, emotional and funny. I'm making everyone I know read this book. That means you. Go buy it now. No, not later, now.
This book has one of the best first 100 pages of a novel I've ever read. Flat-out barnstormingly brilliant opening. Sets up the plot excellently and introduces even small nuances of character in a few sentences. I have no idea how Helen Fitzgerald did that. She manages to give so much information about people, using around 8 words. I'm still trying to work out how she did it. Because I want to be able to do that and then sell the formula.
And this book is all about the people in it. The characters are the heart of 'The Donor'. Yeah, the story plays its part of course, but if you're not with these messed up, flawed and above all REALISTIC characters, there's something wrong with you. I mean how can you not sympathise with 'Will Marion' as he does everything he can to save his daughter's lives, or the two daughter's themselves 'Georgie' and 'Kay', who are so beautifully drawn, by the end you'll be cutting out your own kidney in a bath full of ice, in the hope they can take it.
In those first 100 pages, Fitzgerald manages to grab you by the collar and drag you into this story. Before I knew it, I'd read half the book. I finished it in a day. I couldn't tear my bloodshot, tired eyes away from the pages. I had to read. Fitzgerald writes from the heart, means every word, possibly carves those words into wood with her own blood...I'm not entirely sure.
I may have over identified with this book...maybe if you're a father of two daughters, who spends everyday worried he's going to be left alone to look after them for longer than a day (it's been five years and I still can't do my eldest daughters hair...I mean I can put it in a ponytail and five seconds later she's blowing hair out of her eyes. I just can't do it) you'll understand better. I don't think so however. I think if this book doesn't move you in some way, I mean affect you in a way you weren't expecting, then you have a heart made of moss covered stone. I was shocked at how much this book affected me. It's been a long time since I've read a book which has moved me as much as this one did.
It's all about Helen Fitzgerald's writing. She writes almost poetically, not a wasted word amongst the pages. It's beautifully horrific, takes you to dark places, with an undercurrent of gallows humour throughout. 'The Donor' is about normal people dealing with uncontrollable events. You can instantly identify with characters and feel every emotion they feel throughout. It contains scenes of drug taking, crime, sex and death, gloriously mixing them to make 'The Donor' one of the stand out novels of 2011.
'The Donor' is what fiction should be all about. Real people, believable dialogue, thrilling, emotional and funny. I'm making everyone I know read this book. That means you. Go buy it now. No, not later, now.
August 17, 2014
Review can also be found here.
Warning: Spoilers
When I read the first chapter of the book, I thought ‘Crap, did Will kill himself in the end just to save his daughters?!’ and hurriedly proceeded to finish the whole story. Fortunately (sort of), he didn’t but I have to say that it’s the most messed up book that I’ve ever read. Not in the sense of storyline or the twists but rather, the confusing changes of POVs. I couldn’t even figure out who’s the other POV that I was reading until I read a good number of chapters. Georgie. It was Georgie that I had been reading about in the POV other than Will’s. Honestly, I could guess that it belonged to one of the twins since it had to be a girl’s POV, but I would’ve liked it better if their names were placed before each POV change because that would’ve save all the confusion I had reading.
On top of that, there’s a lot of drug-abuse, alcohol, sex and weirdos here. I placed it under “because the runaway mom’s a junkie”. Still, it was a rather disturbing read and honestly, I skipped a bunch of pages (mostly the sex scenes) so I saved myself from a handful of them. Though, even with a few parts missing from my mind, the characters—or well, the story is just messed up. I admit that I was surprised that Will’s not the blood father of Georgie and Kay (because I didn’t think as far as Cynthia was actually screwing Heath all along) but I love how they choose him as their real father no matter what…Okay fine, Heath as their chosen father would be a dumb choice because he’s a criminal but still, I liked how Georgie opened up to her father in the end. I liked how the twins got the kidneys they needed; I liked how they and Will were a better family in the end. Though, that doesn’t mean that Will is any less messed up. I mean, sure he’s a dedicated father who wanted to commit suicide just so he could save both his daughters but yearning the “perfect goodbye, the heart-wrenching note” which is actually Heath’s fake suicide note? Bloody hell!
You know what? I change my mind too. Everything about this book is messed up. Like some, I thought that I was buying a heart-breaking, beautiful story about family, love and loss, and boy, was I wrong. Although I don’t actually regret buying this book (I bought it for less than half the price anyway), it’s an entirely dark, twisted story. And, that’s just a nice way of putting it.
The harsher way? This book is so f-ed up. Seriously.
PS: 2 stars because I liked the things I stated and because I liked the description at the back of the book.
Warning: Spoilers
When I read the first chapter of the book, I thought ‘Crap, did Will kill himself in the end just to save his daughters?!’ and hurriedly proceeded to finish the whole story. Fortunately (sort of), he didn’t but I have to say that it’s the most messed up book that I’ve ever read. Not in the sense of storyline or the twists but rather, the confusing changes of POVs. I couldn’t even figure out who’s the other POV that I was reading until I read a good number of chapters. Georgie. It was Georgie that I had been reading about in the POV other than Will’s. Honestly, I could guess that it belonged to one of the twins since it had to be a girl’s POV, but I would’ve liked it better if their names were placed before each POV change because that would’ve save all the confusion I had reading.
On top of that, there’s a lot of drug-abuse, alcohol, sex and weirdos here. I placed it under “because the runaway mom’s a junkie”. Still, it was a rather disturbing read and honestly, I skipped a bunch of pages (mostly the sex scenes) so I saved myself from a handful of them. Though, even with a few parts missing from my mind, the characters—or well, the story is just messed up. I admit that I was surprised that Will’s not the blood father of Georgie and Kay (because I didn’t think as far as Cynthia was actually screwing Heath all along) but I love how they choose him as their real father no matter what…Okay fine, Heath as their chosen father would be a dumb choice because he’s a criminal but still, I liked how Georgie opened up to her father in the end. I liked how the twins got the kidneys they needed; I liked how they and Will were a better family in the end. Though, that doesn’t mean that Will is any less messed up. I mean, sure he’s a dedicated father who wanted to commit suicide just so he could save both his daughters but yearning the “perfect goodbye, the heart-wrenching note” which is actually Heath’s fake suicide note? Bloody hell!
You know what? I change my mind too. Everything about this book is messed up. Like some, I thought that I was buying a heart-breaking, beautiful story about family, love and loss, and boy, was I wrong. Although I don’t actually regret buying this book (I bought it for less than half the price anyway), it’s an entirely dark, twisted story. And, that’s just a nice way of putting it.
The harsher way? This book is so f-ed up. Seriously.
PS: 2 stars because I liked the things I stated and because I liked the description at the back of the book.
March 26, 2012
I found this thoroughly enjoyable and thought about it for a long time later. Something about the way the author chooses characters which are not easy to like and puts them in circumstances where they are forced to make a choice of personality really appealed to me.
It's a peculiar mixture of painful and funny, the humour as dark as it gets. The book confronts horrible questions such as who to save, why you hate your parent(s) and what love really involves.
Each individual has fallen into a pattern of behaviour and expects someone else to say them. Georgie thinks it will be the love of her life, or her mum. Will hopes it will be Cynthia, or the girls, or failing that, Janice, his penis-twisting neighbour. Cynthia knows there are only two who can save her and they both begin with H.
Will's awareness of his own failings make him a frustrating but likeable person, especially if you have a touch of the useless yourself. The book moves swiftly along Will's mental trajectory, making the reader cheer and cringe at his determination and ineptitude. The scene when he gets plastered and writes down the pros and cons of his twin daughters is moving and honest.
The scene that took me by surprise is Heath's observation of Georgie and Kay in the pub. The writer makes you absolutely convinced that this scumbag should never ever be allowed near those girls. What happens next had me appalled, alarmed and applauding.
I liked the style, the twist on expectation and admired the ending. It's short but drags you into to a situation you cannot help but consider. What if ...? This book feels like someone has peeled away the sanitary layers of normality and found something much more satisfying beneath.
It's a peculiar mixture of painful and funny, the humour as dark as it gets. The book confronts horrible questions such as who to save, why you hate your parent(s) and what love really involves.
Each individual has fallen into a pattern of behaviour and expects someone else to say them. Georgie thinks it will be the love of her life, or her mum. Will hopes it will be Cynthia, or the girls, or failing that, Janice, his penis-twisting neighbour. Cynthia knows there are only two who can save her and they both begin with H.
Will's awareness of his own failings make him a frustrating but likeable person, especially if you have a touch of the useless yourself. The book moves swiftly along Will's mental trajectory, making the reader cheer and cringe at his determination and ineptitude. The scene when he gets plastered and writes down the pros and cons of his twin daughters is moving and honest.
The scene that took me by surprise is Heath's observation of Georgie and Kay in the pub. The writer makes you absolutely convinced that this scumbag should never ever be allowed near those girls. What happens next had me appalled, alarmed and applauding.
I liked the style, the twist on expectation and admired the ending. It's short but drags you into to a situation you cannot help but consider. What if ...? This book feels like someone has peeled away the sanitary layers of normality and found something much more satisfying beneath.
January 1, 2014
One word review: Meh.
One sentence: A thoroughly predictable, slightly trashy quick read that still manages to maintain enough interest to keep you turning the pages.
One paragraph: Definitely not the tear-jerker I expected. I couldn't empathise with any of the characters, they were all very two dimensional and rarely if ever did anything that elevated them from their lazy stereotypes. As I said above, it was thoroughly predictable - I had the 'big' plot twist and the ending figured out the first time one particular character was introduced (if you've read it, you'll know which one I mean). It was well written, but I'm not sure that's what kept me reading; I think I just wanted to see if I was right (I was). Very fast paced, too much so if you ask me, and very easy to get through in an evening. To be honest, I probably wouldn't recommend it.
One sentence: A thoroughly predictable, slightly trashy quick read that still manages to maintain enough interest to keep you turning the pages.
One paragraph: Definitely not the tear-jerker I expected. I couldn't empathise with any of the characters, they were all very two dimensional and rarely if ever did anything that elevated them from their lazy stereotypes. As I said above, it was thoroughly predictable - I had the 'big' plot twist and the ending figured out the first time one particular character was introduced (if you've read it, you'll know which one I mean). It was well written, but I'm not sure that's what kept me reading; I think I just wanted to see if I was right (I was). Very fast paced, too much so if you ask me, and very easy to get through in an evening. To be honest, I probably wouldn't recommend it.
January 7, 2017
"Ο ΔΩΡΗΤΗΣ"Ε.ΦΙΤΖΕΡΑΛΝΤ
Ποσο δυσκολο είναι για έναν πατέρα να πρεπει να διαλέξει σε ποια απο τις δυο αρρωστες εφηβες κορες του θα δωσει το νεφρο του ,γιατι πασχουν απο νεφρικη ανεπαρκεια; Αυτο διαπραγματευεται αυτο το κοινωνικο μυθιστορημα,το οποιο θιγει ενα ιδιαιτερο θεμα με ζωντανη αλλα κατανοητη γραφη&επισης καταπιανεται με τα κακως κειμενα στις σχεσεις γονεων -παιδιων .Γονεας ειναι αυτος που μεγαλωνει με κοπο ενα παιδι&οχι καποιος που το γεννησε και το παρατησε.Η εγκληματικη αδιαφορια καποιων βιολογικων γονεων σοκαρει .Δυσκολο θεμα αλλα η συγγραφεας κατορθωσε να δωσει την καλυτερη λυση &ο καθενας να παρει ο,τι του αξιζει.Νεμεση,τιση,καθαρση για τους καθημερινους της ηρωες αλλα και για τον αναγνωστη που συμπασχει με τα κοριτσια αλλα εξοργιζεται με καποιους εγκληματιες που θελουν να λεγονται γονεις.Μου αρεσε,ενα βιβλιο πρωτοτυπο και διδακτικο
Ποσο δυσκολο είναι για έναν πατέρα να πρεπει να διαλέξει σε ποια απο τις δυο αρρωστες εφηβες κορες του θα δωσει το νεφρο του ,γιατι πασχουν απο νεφρικη ανεπαρκεια; Αυτο διαπραγματευεται αυτο το κοινωνικο μυθιστορημα,το οποιο θιγει ενα ιδιαιτερο θεμα με ζωντανη αλλα κατανοητη γραφη&επισης καταπιανεται με τα κακως κειμενα στις σχεσεις γονεων -παιδιων .Γονεας ειναι αυτος που μεγαλωνει με κοπο ενα παιδι&οχι καποιος που το γεννησε και το παρατησε.Η εγκληματικη αδιαφορια καποιων βιολογικων γονεων σοκαρει .Δυσκολο θεμα αλλα η συγγραφεας κατορθωσε να δωσει την καλυτερη λυση &ο καθενας να παρει ο,τι του αξιζει.Νεμεση,τιση,καθαρση για τους καθημερινους της ηρωες αλλα και για τον αναγνωστη που συμπασχει με τα κοριτσια αλλα εξοργιζεται με καποιους εγκληματιες που θελουν να λεγονται γονεις.Μου αρεσε,ενα βιβλιο πρωτοτυπο και διδακτικο
January 19, 2013
I was pleasantly surprised at this novel after reading the not brilliant Bloody Women. It's a good read actually!
The novel does rely on the experiences of one of the twins more heavily than the other but it's told with a black humour that, given the subject matter (transplant and death) was a refreshing change. You can actually see how in the circumstances you would have to laugh - or you'd go under! With any luck it may just make people in the UK sign the organ donor register thus making the all important wait, less for some people needing life saving transplants.
I'll keep reading Helen Fitzgerald for as long as she's writing good novels, and fortunately this was one of the better of late.
The novel does rely on the experiences of one of the twins more heavily than the other but it's told with a black humour that, given the subject matter (transplant and death) was a refreshing change. You can actually see how in the circumstances you would have to laugh - or you'd go under! With any luck it may just make people in the UK sign the organ donor register thus making the all important wait, less for some people needing life saving transplants.
I'll keep reading Helen Fitzgerald for as long as she's writing good novels, and fortunately this was one of the better of late.
January 3, 2013
This book is one which remained on my mind long after I finished it- dark, and very real, but the characters are amazing. It kept me hooked- I was very anti-social for a few days as I dedicated every spare second to devouring the next page, and the ending was great, too. I felt it did the book as a whole justice, and I liked the way in which the entire story was very real, the characters especially, with a certain depth which meant that I didn't feel able to form all encompassing judgements upon them. Fantastic!
May 9, 2014
I was surprised how much I liked this book. Usually I read true crime, fiction crime, self-help books or books themed Iran. This one just kind of fell into my lap and I gave it a shot.
The characters are thought out.
There are three 'voices' in the book who tell this story. The author, the father character and one of his twin daughters. Nicely done.
I wasn't sure how the story would end, but the author wrapped that ending up very well. It all seemed to fit and I wasn't left with questions.
Heavy subjects handled in a way and written with humor so it doesn't feel too heavy.
The characters are thought out.
There are three 'voices' in the book who tell this story. The author, the father character and one of his twin daughters. Nicely done.
I wasn't sure how the story would end, but the author wrapped that ending up very well. It all seemed to fit and I wasn't left with questions.
Heavy subjects handled in a way and written with humor so it doesn't feel too heavy.
May 20, 2012
When I say 'page-turner', I really mean it. I didn't even stop reading for mealtimes or to go to the loo; instead I carried the book with me, navigating with my peripheral vision. Sure, some of the dialogue was jarringly cheesy and the characters were cardboard cutouts (the junkie mother and bad-boy criminal in particular), but I was turning the pages so fast that I barely noticed! Great fun.
January 14, 2012
I found this book a little depressing in places but it was a very emotional read, covering a huge moral dilemma topic. Its very different from her other work but I'd recommend it, as long as you aren't looking for a light-hearted read!
April 29, 2019
It had such a fantastic premise and really could have been amazing, but it just fell flat from the off. Every character in this story is hideously unlikable, the story doesn't know what it wants to do with itself and the ending was appalling.
November 29, 2011
Was an ok book but very predictable . The ending seemed to all happen very suddenly , I even checked to see if there were pages missing at the end of the book !
September 29, 2016
Meh. It's a bit too cliche and soap-opera-ish for my taste. I loved The Cry, by the same author, but this felt a tad disappointing...
July 8, 2018
Η ζωη ειναι κυκλος. Ενα παιχνιδι με συμπαιχτη τα ζαρια, και ειναι δυσκολος συμαιχτης γιατι δε ξερεις ποτε τι θα σου φερει στο διαβα σου.
Όταν παίζεις αυτό το παιχνίδι από την μεριά του γονιού, τα πάντα ανατρέπονται. Υπάρχουν στιγμές ευτυχίας γεμάτες χρώματα αλλά ίσως ξημερώσει και η μέρα που θα αντικρίσεις το σκοτάδι και αν το αφήσεις θα σε καταπιεί, αν το παλέψεις ίσως βγεις νικητής.
Κάπως έτσι ξεκινά και η ιστορία του Γου όταν μαθαίνει ότι τα δυο υπέροχα πλάσματα του έχουν κατεστραμμένα νεφρά, ότι ίσως ο μονός συμβατός δοτής να είναι αυτός. Ποια μπορεί να σωσει;; Ποια πρέπει να σωθεί;
Μπαίνουν οι ζωές των παιδιών σου σε καλούπια;
Για ποια θα παίξει το ρόλο του δωρητή;
Το βιβλίο αυτό, το ξεκίνησα μη έχοντας προσδοκίες. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι στη αρχή πραγματικά δε καταλάβαιναν τι ακριβώς διάβαζα αλλά ευτυχώς το συνέχισα.
Επικεντρώθηκα στη ουσία του βιβλίου για να μπορέσω να κατανοήσω την αλήθεια του. Δε είναι άπλα ένα βιβλίο είναι μια πράξη ζωής και ως έτσι το είχα στο μυαλό μου διαβάζοντας το.
Βιώνοντας ένα περιστατικό με το μεγάλο μου παιδί όχι τόσο μεγάλο αλλά όχι και τόσο μικρό αν και δε έχει σημασία το μέγεθος του προβλήματος αλλά ο πόνος που σου κυριεύει το μυαλό, η δύναμη που πιστεύεις ότι γλιστρά σαν άμμος από τα χέρια σου, ενώ στη πραγματικότητα είσαι και παραμένεις δυνατός γιατί έχεις να δώσεις αγάπη, έχεις να δώσεις κουράγιο η με τους λάθος η με τους σωστούς τρόπους, γιατί πάνω από όλα είσαι γονιός. Πονάς, ματώνεις αλλά η δύναμη έρχεται από τα χαμόγελα των μαχόμενων παιδιών και ας μην βγαίνουν πάντα νικητές.
Γιατί ξέρουν να ελπίζουν ακόμη και αν χάσουν το πόλεμο εκείνα πάλεψαν για να κερδίσουν την μάχη.
Αυτό το βιβλίο μιλά για τη πατρική αγάπη, για τις σκέψεις ενός πάτερα που τα δίδυμα παιδιά του αισθάνονται την ερωτική ανάσα του θανάτου σε κάθε τους βήμα, σε κάθε ημέρα, σε κάθε τους σκέψη. Έναν πατέρα που παλεύει να βρει μια λύση. Έναν πατέρα που έγινε και μητέρα. Ένα βιβλίο γεμάτο μηνύματα. Ένα βιβλίο ζωής και πράξης αγάπης.
Δε έχει ροή, είναι αργό πολύ, δίνει περισσότερη βάση και δομή στη ψυχογραφήση των ηρώων. Δίνει ποιο πολύ συναίσθημα. Μα είναι ανθρώπινο. Κατά τη γνώμη μου δε θα έπρεπε να είναι διαφορετικό λόγω του θέματος του. Κλείνοντας και προσπαθώντας να μην σποιλαρω θα πω ότι η ανθρωπιά είναι ένα σπάνιο χάρισμα που σε αυτές τις καταστάσεις δε το έχουν όλοι. Αυτός ο πατέρας είναι ένα μάθημα ζωής που το μονό που κέρδισε και που δε αποζήτησε ποτέ ��ταν η αγάπη και η ευτυχία αυτών των δυο παιδιών και πάλεψε σκληρά για αυτό και όταν μυστικά ήρθαν στο φως δε έφυγε. Παραμένει εκεί για να σώσει ότι ήταν "δικό του" και ας μην ήταν
Δε έχουν όλοι την δύναμη να μείνουν, να αντέξουν και να βλέπουν τους ανθρώπους τους να σβήνουν κάθε μέρα λίγο λίγο άλλα εγώ αυτή τη μανά τη μίσησα με όλη μου την ψυχή
Στα αρνητικά θα βάλω το τέλος του βιβλίου που αν και συγκινητικό το βρήκα ψεύτικο και υπερβολικό.
Όταν παίζεις αυτό το παιχνίδι από την μεριά του γονιού, τα πάντα ανατρέπονται. Υπάρχουν στιγμές ευτυχίας γεμάτες χρώματα αλλά ίσως ξημερώσει και η μέρα που θα αντικρίσεις το σκοτάδι και αν το αφήσεις θα σε καταπιεί, αν το παλέψεις ίσως βγεις νικητής.
Κάπως έτσι ξεκινά και η ιστορία του Γου όταν μαθαίνει ότι τα δυο υπέροχα πλάσματα του έχουν κατεστραμμένα νεφρά, ότι ίσως ο μονός συμβατός δοτής να είναι αυτός. Ποια μπορεί να σωσει;; Ποια πρέπει να σωθεί;
Μπαίνουν οι ζωές των παιδιών σου σε καλούπια;
Για ποια θα παίξει το ρόλο του δωρητή;
Το βιβλίο αυτό, το ξεκίνησα μη έχοντας προσδοκίες. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι στη αρχή πραγματικά δε καταλάβαιναν τι ακριβώς διάβαζα αλλά ευτυχώς το συνέχισα.
Επικεντρώθηκα στη ουσία του βιβλίου για να μπορέσω να κατανοήσω την αλήθεια του. Δε είναι άπλα ένα βιβλίο είναι μια πράξη ζωής και ως έτσι το είχα στο μυαλό μου διαβάζοντας το.
Βιώνοντας ένα περιστατικό με το μεγάλο μου παιδί όχι τόσο μεγάλο αλλά όχι και τόσο μικρό αν και δε έχει σημασία το μέγεθος του προβλήματος αλλά ο πόνος που σου κυριεύει το μυαλό, η δύναμη που πιστεύεις ότι γλιστρά σαν άμμος από τα χέρια σου, ενώ στη πραγματικότητα είσαι και παραμένεις δυνατός γιατί έχεις να δώσεις αγάπη, έχεις να δώσεις κουράγιο η με τους λάθος η με τους σωστούς τρόπους, γιατί πάνω από όλα είσαι γονιός. Πονάς, ματώνεις αλλά η δύναμη έρχεται από τα χαμόγελα των μαχόμενων παιδιών και ας μην βγαίνουν πάντα νικητές.
Γιατί ξέρουν να ελπίζουν ακόμη και αν χάσουν το πόλεμο εκείνα πάλεψαν για να κερδίσουν την μάχη.
Αυτό το βιβλίο μιλά για τη πατρική αγάπη, για τις σκέψεις ενός πάτερα που τα δίδυμα παιδιά του αισθάνονται την ερωτική ανάσα του θανάτου σε κάθε τους βήμα, σε κάθε ημέρα, σε κάθε τους σκέψη. Έναν πατέρα που παλεύει να βρει μια λύση. Έναν πατέρα που έγινε και μητέρα. Ένα βιβλίο γεμάτο μηνύματα. Ένα βιβλίο ζωής και πράξης αγάπης.
Δε έχει ροή, είναι αργό πολύ, δίνει περισσότερη βάση και δομή στη ψυχογραφήση των ηρώων. Δίνει ποιο πολύ συναίσθημα. Μα είναι ανθρώπινο. Κατά τη γνώμη μου δε θα έπρεπε να είναι διαφορετικό λόγω του θέματος του. Κλείνοντας και προσπαθώντας να μην σποιλαρω θα πω ότι η ανθρωπιά είναι ένα σπάνιο χάρισμα που σε αυτές τις καταστάσεις δε το έχουν όλοι. Αυτός ο πατέρας είναι ένα μάθημα ζωής που το μονό που κέρδισε και που δε αποζήτησε ποτέ ��ταν η αγάπη και η ευτυχία αυτών των δυο παιδιών και πάλεψε σκληρά για αυτό και όταν μυστικά ήρθαν στο φως δε έφυγε. Παραμένει εκεί για να σώσει ότι ήταν "δικό του" και ας μην ήταν
Δε έχουν όλοι την δύναμη να μείνουν, να αντέξουν και να βλέπουν τους ανθρώπους τους να σβήνουν κάθε μέρα λίγο λίγο άλλα εγώ αυτή τη μανά τη μίσησα με όλη μου την ψυχή
Στα αρνητικά θα βάλω το τέλος του βιβλίου που αν και συγκινητικό το βρήκα ψεύτικο και υπερβολικό.
August 24, 2017
Mijn eerste boek van Fitzgerald en toch al een teleurstelling.
Will, een nogal besluiteloze scriptschrijver, voedt zijn tweelingdochters, Kay en Georgie, alleen op. Hun moeder, Cynthia, heeft hun verlaten toen ze 3 jaar oud waren, om terug te keren naar haar grote liefde Heath, een crimineel. Als de tweeling 16 jaar oud is blijkt dat ze beide aan een erg dodelijke nierziekte lijden en zo snel mogelijk een nieuwe nier nodig hebben. Maar omdat ze een zeldzame bloedgroep hebben is het niet eenvoudig een donor te vinden. Will gaat ervan uit dat hij wel een nier kan afstaan en als ze Cynthia terugvinden kan die ook een nier afstaan aan de andere dochter. Strak plan dus zou je als lezer denken.
Wat volgt is een weergave van de zoektocht naar Cynthia, een relaas van wat er ondertussen met Cynthia en Heath is gebeurd, hoe Georgie omgaat met de vervelende dialysetherapie, hoe Will toenadering zoekt tot een andere moeder (Linda), enz.
Een prima uitgangspunt dus maar de uitwerking vond ik niet geslaagd.
Het overgrote deel van het boek handelt in de derde persoon en meestal draait het dan om Will, Cynthia of Heath. Maar sommige delen worden in de eerste persoon verteld door Georgie. Het stoorde me niet echt maar het maakte het verhaal er niet beter door.
Noch Will, noch Georgie wekken veel sympathie op bij mij door hun gedrag. Will omdat hij zo besluiteloos is (hij maakt al heel zijn leven lijstjes van allerlei zaken die hij moet doen maar hij komt er niet toe die dingen dan ook te doen) en Georgie omdat ze zo’n cliché van een losgeslagen puber is. En van Kay komen we alleen maar onrechtstreeks dingen te weten: zij zou de sympathiekste moeten zijn maar bij mij kwam dat allemaal nogal flauw over.
Veel dingen vond ik overbodig zoals de romance (als je dat zo kan noemen) tussen Will en Linda, het nogal vreemde gedrag van de detective die Cynthia moet zoeken, …
Vanaf een bepaald moment weet je als lezer al waar het op zal uitdraaien. En als dan blijkt dat je het bij het rechte eind had is de term ‘thriller” wel teveel eer. Bovendien zijn sommige zaken echt ongeloofwaardig.
Maar er zitten ook wel een paar aardige vondsten in en het gedrag van een aantal personages is zelfs lachwekkend.
Een boekje dat wel geschikt is om luierend aan een zwembad in een all-inclusive hotel te lezen. Spijtig genoeg was dat bij mij niet het geval.
Will, een nogal besluiteloze scriptschrijver, voedt zijn tweelingdochters, Kay en Georgie, alleen op. Hun moeder, Cynthia, heeft hun verlaten toen ze 3 jaar oud waren, om terug te keren naar haar grote liefde Heath, een crimineel. Als de tweeling 16 jaar oud is blijkt dat ze beide aan een erg dodelijke nierziekte lijden en zo snel mogelijk een nieuwe nier nodig hebben. Maar omdat ze een zeldzame bloedgroep hebben is het niet eenvoudig een donor te vinden. Will gaat ervan uit dat hij wel een nier kan afstaan en als ze Cynthia terugvinden kan die ook een nier afstaan aan de andere dochter. Strak plan dus zou je als lezer denken.
Wat volgt is een weergave van de zoektocht naar Cynthia, een relaas van wat er ondertussen met Cynthia en Heath is gebeurd, hoe Georgie omgaat met de vervelende dialysetherapie, hoe Will toenadering zoekt tot een andere moeder (Linda), enz.
Een prima uitgangspunt dus maar de uitwerking vond ik niet geslaagd.
Het overgrote deel van het boek handelt in de derde persoon en meestal draait het dan om Will, Cynthia of Heath. Maar sommige delen worden in de eerste persoon verteld door Georgie. Het stoorde me niet echt maar het maakte het verhaal er niet beter door.
Noch Will, noch Georgie wekken veel sympathie op bij mij door hun gedrag. Will omdat hij zo besluiteloos is (hij maakt al heel zijn leven lijstjes van allerlei zaken die hij moet doen maar hij komt er niet toe die dingen dan ook te doen) en Georgie omdat ze zo’n cliché van een losgeslagen puber is. En van Kay komen we alleen maar onrechtstreeks dingen te weten: zij zou de sympathiekste moeten zijn maar bij mij kwam dat allemaal nogal flauw over.
Veel dingen vond ik overbodig zoals de romance (als je dat zo kan noemen) tussen Will en Linda, het nogal vreemde gedrag van de detective die Cynthia moet zoeken, …
Vanaf een bepaald moment weet je als lezer al waar het op zal uitdraaien. En als dan blijkt dat je het bij het rechte eind had is de term ‘thriller” wel teveel eer. Bovendien zijn sommige zaken echt ongeloofwaardig.
Maar er zitten ook wel een paar aardige vondsten in en het gedrag van een aantal personages is zelfs lachwekkend.
Een boekje dat wel geschikt is om luierend aan een zwembad in een all-inclusive hotel te lezen. Spijtig genoeg was dat bij mij niet het geval.
March 12, 2019
Really rather enjoyable (which, after the preceding book having emotionally drained me somewhat, was welcome) this started off slightly worrying me, but ended up improving substantially.
I was initially a little concerned that this short novel - about a father bringing up teenage twin daughters who both develop serious kidney disease - would be too twee, too Richard & Judy book club, too obvious family drama for my liking. This particularly disappointed me to start with as I had enjoyed the dark and shocking nature of a the two previous Helen Fitzgerald books I had read. In the end though this was full of dark humour and unusual wittiness, a few twists and turns that kept me absorbed. Yes, it did get a little silly in places and there were a few characters who I would have happily had less off at the expense of other characters I felt were somewhat under-done, but it overall entertained and amused.
I was initially a little concerned that this short novel - about a father bringing up teenage twin daughters who both develop serious kidney disease - would be too twee, too Richard & Judy book club, too obvious family drama for my liking. This particularly disappointed me to start with as I had enjoyed the dark and shocking nature of a the two previous Helen Fitzgerald books I had read. In the end though this was full of dark humour and unusual wittiness, a few twists and turns that kept me absorbed. Yes, it did get a little silly in places and there were a few characters who I would have happily had less off at the expense of other characters I felt were somewhat under-done, but it overall entertained and amused.
April 8, 2020
Another great read from Helen. Finished it in one day an easy read for me. It's every parents worst nightmare. What can we do? Are they going to make it? Who should he chose?
Let me tell you now this family is far from normal... We have a mother who doesn't care and leaves for drugs and a thug. A dad who doesnt know what to do and drinks a lot. Twin Kay is the perfect member of the family the only character I actually liked. Then the other twin Georgie is off the rails and has an attitude problem and lives on the wild side. Every single character wound me up in some way except Kays.
We get an unexpected, shocking outcome towards the end but personally I felt a lot of the good stuff was happening towards the end and then it was suddenly cut short, open to the readers interpretation of what happens next.
I awarded three stars as for me I enjoyed her other books miles more than this one but this was still a great read which I devoured in a day.
Let me tell you now this family is far from normal... We have a mother who doesn't care and leaves for drugs and a thug. A dad who doesnt know what to do and drinks a lot. Twin Kay is the perfect member of the family the only character I actually liked. Then the other twin Georgie is off the rails and has an attitude problem and lives on the wild side. Every single character wound me up in some way except Kays.
We get an unexpected, shocking outcome towards the end but personally I felt a lot of the good stuff was happening towards the end and then it was suddenly cut short, open to the readers interpretation of what happens next.
I awarded three stars as for me I enjoyed her other books miles more than this one but this was still a great read which I devoured in a day.
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