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The Pelican
"The story goes into the uncomfortable territory of respect, compassion and one's right to choose how to live out one's life. It is beautifully written and very well executed."CINEQUEST
Because some parts of our past can never be buried deeply enough…
When Julia drags her suitcases onto the front porch one rainy day in April and closes the door on life as she knew it, her disappearance seems completely out of character, a snap decision that simply has to be a mistake. After all, life for Julia doesn’t just seem perfect—it actually is. A successful career, a husband whose smile, even after 25 years, still gives her tingles, and two kids who have grown into adults any parent would be proud of—Julia has it all.
Her disappearance, without any warning, trace, or credible explanation, leaves her family devastated. To them, nothing about it makes sense, while to Julia it is the only option. In fact, she is merely following through on a promise she made to herself half a lifetime ago. While she had hoped and prayed that she would never have to put her plan into action, there is absolutely no way that she will let history repeat itself. But what in her past could possibly have left scars deep enough to make her leave the people she loves? What is she trying to protect them from? And why now, more than thirty years later?
While her family is reeling with questions, Julia finds refuge in a tiny beach community in Northern California. All she wants is to be left alone, but the kindness and empathy of the welcoming residents complicate things. With her determination starting to crumble, will Julia have the strength to go through with her plan? Will her family, divided by mixed reactions to being abandoned, come together to look for her? Will they find a way to track her down? Most of all, will they get there before it is too late? And what is the deal with the persistent bird that simply will not leave her alone?
Only time will tell—and time is the one thing Julia does not have.
Editor’s Note
"The Pelican is a deeply moving look at how intensely personal decisions are never only personal and how consequences of decisions affect everything around us. The author assembles a group of profoundly different characters, each with their own stories, which showcase the dangers of denial and the depth and value of human connection."
Because some parts of our past can never be buried deeply enough…
When Julia drags her suitcases onto the front porch one rainy day in April and closes the door on life as she knew it, her disappearance seems completely out of character, a snap decision that simply has to be a mistake. After all, life for Julia doesn’t just seem perfect—it actually is. A successful career, a husband whose smile, even after 25 years, still gives her tingles, and two kids who have grown into adults any parent would be proud of—Julia has it all.
Her disappearance, without any warning, trace, or credible explanation, leaves her family devastated. To them, nothing about it makes sense, while to Julia it is the only option. In fact, she is merely following through on a promise she made to herself half a lifetime ago. While she had hoped and prayed that she would never have to put her plan into action, there is absolutely no way that she will let history repeat itself. But what in her past could possibly have left scars deep enough to make her leave the people she loves? What is she trying to protect them from? And why now, more than thirty years later?
While her family is reeling with questions, Julia finds refuge in a tiny beach community in Northern California. All she wants is to be left alone, but the kindness and empathy of the welcoming residents complicate things. With her determination starting to crumble, will Julia have the strength to go through with her plan? Will her family, divided by mixed reactions to being abandoned, come together to look for her? Will they find a way to track her down? Most of all, will they get there before it is too late? And what is the deal with the persistent bird that simply will not leave her alone?
Only time will tell—and time is the one thing Julia does not have.
Editor’s Note
"The Pelican is a deeply moving look at how intensely personal decisions are never only personal and how consequences of decisions affect everything around us. The author assembles a group of profoundly different characters, each with their own stories, which showcase the dangers of denial and the depth and value of human connection."
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2017
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 11, 2019
Julia finds out she has cancer and decides to keep a promise to herself, made years before when watching her mother struggle through cancer, chemo and ultimately her death.
She decides to disappear, to deal with her own cancer, her mortality, alone. She wants to spare her husband and family the heartache of watching her fade away.
This is an incredibly emotional tale, (which I personally found a difficult read due to my own health….I’m currently undergoing treatment for stage 4 malignant melanoma) and I can fully understand her reasoning, to protect those closest to you, but also to protect yourself……trying to cope with your own emotions is tough enough without having to think of others too at an incredibly difficult time.
A story of utter selflessness with the intent on sparing her family pain and the unhappy memories. Wonderfully emotive writing…… have a box of tissues with you, when you read this..……you’ll need them.
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
She decides to disappear, to deal with her own cancer, her mortality, alone. She wants to spare her husband and family the heartache of watching her fade away.
This is an incredibly emotional tale, (which I personally found a difficult read due to my own health….I’m currently undergoing treatment for stage 4 malignant melanoma) and I can fully understand her reasoning, to protect those closest to you, but also to protect yourself……trying to cope with your own emotions is tough enough without having to think of others too at an incredibly difficult time.
A story of utter selflessness with the intent on sparing her family pain and the unhappy memories. Wonderfully emotive writing…… have a box of tissues with you, when you read this..……you’ll need them.
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
April 16, 2019
The Pelican is a beautifully written novel which pulled at the emotions as you would expect from the subject matter. Tissues are required but it is not a maudlin story but one of love, taking control of your own death but how life always brings you the unexpected. Julia had always planned to live by the sea so when she was told she has cancer this was where she retreated to. The descriptions of the stunning scenery made it is easy for me to imagine being on the coast, watching the sunset with the meditative sound of the waves lapping on the shore and a lone pelican waddling towards me. He was a wonderful, captivating character and helped immerse me in the story. As I got to know Julia and her past I could understand her reasoning for dying alone but found it difficult at times when other perspectives were told. It made me consider what I would do in the same position.
It is a memorable thought-provoking story which would be ideal for book club discussions and the pelican has a special place in my heart
It is a memorable thought-provoking story which would be ideal for book club discussions and the pelican has a special place in my heart
May 16, 2019
Thank you to the author and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. So it has been a while since I have found myself crying through a book (which is a tad unusual as I do tend to cry pretty easily) but this was an incredibly well-written tear-jerker of a story! By the first chapter, I was emotionally invested and I really wanted to find out how Julia would continue to handle everything. This is a story that confronts one’s mortality, as well as how a serious illness affects yourself and those closest to you, it shows that no decision is easy, and all the different ways different people react to situations. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to read a book that will take you on one hell of a rollercoaster of emotions.
A powerful four out of five stars read
Rating: 4/5
Would I read again: Yes
Would I Recommend: Yes
Would I read another book from this author: Yes
Wow. So it has been a while since I have found myself crying through a book (which is a tad unusual as I do tend to cry pretty easily) but this was an incredibly well-written tear-jerker of a story! By the first chapter, I was emotionally invested and I really wanted to find out how Julia would continue to handle everything. This is a story that confronts one’s mortality, as well as how a serious illness affects yourself and those closest to you, it shows that no decision is easy, and all the different ways different people react to situations. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to read a book that will take you on one hell of a rollercoaster of emotions.
A powerful four out of five stars read
Rating: 4/5
Would I read again: Yes
Would I Recommend: Yes
Would I read another book from this author: Yes
April 3, 2019
When Julia finds out she is poorly she takes extreme steps to try and spare her children and her husband what she went through when she lost her Mum to cancer.
I found this a deeply moving story of how your own experience of loss can affect your decisions when the scenario is reversed. Julia plans to leave everything behind, but life and the Pelican she befriends has other ideas and she finds herself making new friends.
A story of selflessness to try and spare her family pain and unhappy memories. An emotional read that takes you on a journey with Julia and makes you contemplate what is the link between The Pelican and death at these beach huts.
I found this a deeply moving story of how your own experience of loss can affect your decisions when the scenario is reversed. Julia plans to leave everything behind, but life and the Pelican she befriends has other ideas and she finds herself making new friends.
A story of selflessness to try and spare her family pain and unhappy memories. An emotional read that takes you on a journey with Julia and makes you contemplate what is the link between The Pelican and death at these beach huts.
August 1, 2019
The writing is good and engages you. But I wanted a little more from the story - I wanted more 'happy' to it. But I would definitely read future books by new author M. Naidoo.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews