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If I came back from Hell
Frank McGovern has a problem. He’s dead, and he doesn’t know it - yet! Frank has been given the opportunity to review his life and as the story unfolds, he finds he was someone abhorrent. Someone who used people who were closest to him - people who loved him. Yet, despite witnessing the canvas of his life being painted in front of him, he still refuses to believe he could have been that person until he eventually realizes that his past actions will have horrible consequences.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 11, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 31, 2018
‘You’ve been in a horrific accident. You’re luck to be alive. You’ve suffered a cerebral hemorrhage’
Irish born Bernie Donnelly formed his own software company at the age of 29 and had operations in Ireland, England, and India. Following the sale of his business in 2000, he spent many years traveling around the world finally establishing his roots in Florida and became a US citizen in 2014
The concept of memory loss post trauma, especially to the brain, is well established and studied by the medical community. What has not been explored sufficiently is the process between the trauma that begins the memory loss and that tortuous, mysterious trial of regaining memory. Is that memory inclusive of all reality, or does the lapse in time alter memory, introducing fantasy or heightening moments of the past – or creating a new world in which the victim can begin conscious life again?
Bernie Donnelly addresses this avenue of questions with a superb novel that involves a man injured in an accident who awakens to a world that may not be truly altered, but perceived with a fresh look at how a life before loss of memory truly operated.
The man of the story is one Frank McGovern and the plot synopsis provides a condensed version of the book will take us – ‘Frank McGovern sees his life coming back at him in stages. It’s a life he finds impossible to reconcile. We witness his wife Jane and his son Jeff, who have had to come to terms with a man who was never the quintessential husband or father. There are the Taylor and Sampson families who are polar opposites. Billy Taylor is a controlling person whose wife and daughter have different approaches to living with him. He is oblivious to his human faults until his life comes crashing down around him. Maggie Sampson never had any doubts about her faith as her strength comes from her mother and someone else who is central to her life. You will also meet Fr. Tony Spencer who led a tarnished and unfulfilling life until he came across the Helper. The story will open your mind to your own life, making you wonder could you be like one of these people? If you got the chance to take a long hard look at yourself - would you want to change anything? If you came back from Hell, would you have a different perspective?’
The story raised many questions about how we live our lives, our perception of how we interact with others, and the contrasting realities that may be just as valid. ‘If I could do it all over again, what would I change?’ This is what the author addresses in a sensitive, thoughtful book that bears attention.
Irish born Bernie Donnelly formed his own software company at the age of 29 and had operations in Ireland, England, and India. Following the sale of his business in 2000, he spent many years traveling around the world finally establishing his roots in Florida and became a US citizen in 2014
The concept of memory loss post trauma, especially to the brain, is well established and studied by the medical community. What has not been explored sufficiently is the process between the trauma that begins the memory loss and that tortuous, mysterious trial of regaining memory. Is that memory inclusive of all reality, or does the lapse in time alter memory, introducing fantasy or heightening moments of the past – or creating a new world in which the victim can begin conscious life again?
Bernie Donnelly addresses this avenue of questions with a superb novel that involves a man injured in an accident who awakens to a world that may not be truly altered, but perceived with a fresh look at how a life before loss of memory truly operated.
The man of the story is one Frank McGovern and the plot synopsis provides a condensed version of the book will take us – ‘Frank McGovern sees his life coming back at him in stages. It’s a life he finds impossible to reconcile. We witness his wife Jane and his son Jeff, who have had to come to terms with a man who was never the quintessential husband or father. There are the Taylor and Sampson families who are polar opposites. Billy Taylor is a controlling person whose wife and daughter have different approaches to living with him. He is oblivious to his human faults until his life comes crashing down around him. Maggie Sampson never had any doubts about her faith as her strength comes from her mother and someone else who is central to her life. You will also meet Fr. Tony Spencer who led a tarnished and unfulfilling life until he came across the Helper. The story will open your mind to your own life, making you wonder could you be like one of these people? If you got the chance to take a long hard look at yourself - would you want to change anything? If you came back from Hell, would you have a different perspective?’
The story raised many questions about how we live our lives, our perception of how we interact with others, and the contrasting realities that may be just as valid. ‘If I could do it all over again, what would I change?’ This is what the author addresses in a sensitive, thoughtful book that bears attention.
June 8, 2018
I found this idea of this novel to be very compelling and couldn’t wait to see what I was in store for. The novel covers a few characters and the little tid bits in their life that really aren’t that abnormal. The point of this is to help people relate and see themselves in the people so that the point of the book comes across greater. I love the philosophical element as well as the author’s use of spiritual elements without being too preachy. I was wondering how this book was going to work based on the concept and I think the author put a lot of thought into it to make it work out properly. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves stories that actually encourage you to think and evaluate your own life. You may find yourself making a few changes when you are finished with this book.
July 5, 2018
If I came back from Hell is a Christian moralistic story. The story tells us that belief in God as well as leading a good and pious life can have a beneficial effect for us. A true believer and follower of Christianity can always feel God by his or her side. It tells how God shows us many signs to deal with things and problems in life even before a problem actually occurs. The story also deals with many types of modern day problems such as embezzlement, drug abuse, and leading a faulty life, and the outcome in each of those instances is a bad one.
The story is interesting and manages to keep the interest of the readers. The characterization is good and there are many different types of characters, but I feel that they needed a bit more development. The best thing about it is that the author has managed to include many small plots into few pages and made them one complete whole.
The story is interesting and manages to keep the interest of the readers. The characterization is good and there are many different types of characters, but I feel that they needed a bit more development. The best thing about it is that the author has managed to include many small plots into few pages and made them one complete whole.
June 21, 2018
Very thought provoking!
If I Came Back From Hell by Bernie Donnelly is a very thought provoking story. It tells the story of Frank McGovern when he finds himself in the hospital having no idea who is. The story goes back and forth between Franks current situation of sitting in the hospital and Franks memories of his past. As the story goes on Frank discovers that he doesn’t like a lot of what he is remembering. I like that this story is very real. Often it takes a near miss situation that makes us look back on our past selves and decide if that is the route we want to continue going down. We don’t always like what we see in ourselves but we always have the ability to change so we don’t repeat the past. Donnelly does a very good job creating his story and his characters. It’s relatable and genuine. Sometimes the story did move a little slow for me but aside from that I enjoyed it and loved the reminder that it doesn’t need to be a life threatening experience to take a look at where I’ve been in life and decide if I need to take a different route.
If I Came Back From Hell by Bernie Donnelly is a very thought provoking story. It tells the story of Frank McGovern when he finds himself in the hospital having no idea who is. The story goes back and forth between Franks current situation of sitting in the hospital and Franks memories of his past. As the story goes on Frank discovers that he doesn’t like a lot of what he is remembering. I like that this story is very real. Often it takes a near miss situation that makes us look back on our past selves and decide if that is the route we want to continue going down. We don’t always like what we see in ourselves but we always have the ability to change so we don’t repeat the past. Donnelly does a very good job creating his story and his characters. It’s relatable and genuine. Sometimes the story did move a little slow for me but aside from that I enjoyed it and loved the reminder that it doesn’t need to be a life threatening experience to take a look at where I’ve been in life and decide if I need to take a different route.
May 31, 2018
Waking up in a hospital, Mr. McGovern is at first disoriented and suffering from amnesia. As his memories slowly come back, he is informed he was hit by a truck and has a long road of recovery ahead of him with two broken legs amongst his injuries. The story switches between his memories and the hospital room, where he interacts with the nurse Fiona the most as well as his wife Jane and various other people in his life who come to visit such as his mother Harriett. As he sifts through his memories of his past actions he realizes that he isn’t that nice of a person to those around him.
I suppose this story is one to make you think about your own life and role in this world, your actions and the consequences of them. I felt the story moved to slowly sometimes and I did not really find Frank McGovern to be that likeable. The writing is good and there were no errors in the spelling or sentence structure, so the editing was very good. Other than that, its an okay story.
I suppose this story is one to make you think about your own life and role in this world, your actions and the consequences of them. I felt the story moved to slowly sometimes and I did not really find Frank McGovern to be that likeable. The writing is good and there were no errors in the spelling or sentence structure, so the editing was very good. Other than that, its an okay story.
June 1, 2018
Bernie Donnelly’s, “If I Came Back from Hell,” is all about looking at one’s self and trying to understand where the characters stand in terms of their humanity or lack there of. We are introduced to various characters, those religious or not, families: mothers, fathers, and children. All of these individuals hold a certain perception of themselves and the relationships they have with one another, which leads into them becoming more conscious of how the way they view themselves may be skewed and most definitely biased, and this realization comes at the cost of coming potentially too late and being unable to reconcile that with their family and friends. It is very interesting to see the backgrounds of the characters and connect how their development led to the viewpoints that they held. As the reader, it makes you question if you are living a delusional lie like these characters and if you need to be brought to a true reality.
June 14, 2018
The book is at heart a parable, or a collection of parables woven together, presented to be both engaging and thought-provoking.
For me, it was thought-provoking, but never quite made me so invested in the story as I would have hoped. Now, I am not necessarily the most empathetic of people, so it often takes a skilled author to draw me into their world in such a fashion.
To this end, it could be that what I didn’t find to enjoy it so much as some of the other reviewers has perhaps more to do with me than with the work; certainly it is, as others have said, well-composed and well-written. I find no complaint to make about style or substance; it just didn’t speak to me.
I do not doubt for a moment that more sensitive readers than I am would get more out of this book than I did.
For me, it was thought-provoking, but never quite made me so invested in the story as I would have hoped. Now, I am not necessarily the most empathetic of people, so it often takes a skilled author to draw me into their world in such a fashion.
To this end, it could be that what I didn’t find to enjoy it so much as some of the other reviewers has perhaps more to do with me than with the work; certainly it is, as others have said, well-composed and well-written. I find no complaint to make about style or substance; it just didn’t speak to me.
I do not doubt for a moment that more sensitive readers than I am would get more out of this book than I did.
May 30, 2018
An adventure that you won't believe
This is a story of Frank McGovern and his journey back from the flames. Frank finds himself in the hospital with several injuries and no memory. Slowly, his memory begins to return and the experience may break him. This story is well written with good character development and a story that keeps you turning the pages to see what will happen next. Will Frank be able to accept his life? Will he be able to change for the better? Check this one out and see what you think. I definitely recommend this one for anyone who loves a good mystery adventure.
This is a story of Frank McGovern and his journey back from the flames. Frank finds himself in the hospital with several injuries and no memory. Slowly, his memory begins to return and the experience may break him. This story is well written with good character development and a story that keeps you turning the pages to see what will happen next. Will Frank be able to accept his life? Will he be able to change for the better? Check this one out and see what you think. I definitely recommend this one for anyone who loves a good mystery adventure.
May 31, 2018
If I Came Back From Hell by Bernie Donnelly tells the tale of man who wakes up in a hospital not knowing who he is. He is in a panic, but soon learns that he is Frank McGovern, married to his wife Jane, and with a 19 year old son Jeff. This is a riveting story, that reveals the depths to which one man goes to learn more about himself. The story shifts focus between Frank being in the hospital and his memories, including his childhood. Frank doesn't always like what he remembers, but will it be enough for him to change? This is a contemplative book that looks at who people really are, deep down, and the effect that has on their lives. Highly recommend for an inspiring and distinctive book.
June 8, 2018
Interesting Perspective!
Thoughtful novel with deeper meaning than what it reads is how I would describe it. It’s not light hearted, so need time to read and understand. To me, it’s about life, looking back at it, closer to death experience, relationship with loved ones, care and responsibilities for your own actions. The author has contrasted 3 families life from different angles with the help of varied character traits. It does generate questions about what could you change in your life history? Or should you care what others think about you?
Thoughtful novel with deeper meaning than what it reads is how I would describe it. It’s not light hearted, so need time to read and understand. To me, it’s about life, looking back at it, closer to death experience, relationship with loved ones, care and responsibilities for your own actions. The author has contrasted 3 families life from different angles with the help of varied character traits. It does generate questions about what could you change in your life history? Or should you care what others think about you?
June 26, 2018
The books of Bernie Donnelly are always thoughtful, and often include spiritual elements that leave readers with hard questions at the end of the story. In If I Came Back from Hell, the author takes another leap forward into the realm of philosophical narrative with a powerful tale that will give you shivers. Looking back on your life is something we often associated with the moments before death when it flashes by in a mere second, but this story leans to the opposite extreme, making for an unforgettable novel.
Frank McGovern has not lived a traditionally "good" life, being disloyal to his wife and a distant father to his son. However, when an accident befalls him and his existence is transformed overnight, something rather miraculous happens. In the struggle to find his way back into the light of the living, he must also traverse the long road that brought him to this point. These realizations come back in fits and starts, worked in expertly by the author, so readers are essentially rebuilding the puzzle of McGovern's life right along with him.
The peripheral characters, including his wife, Jane, and their son, Jeff, are well-developed foils that play an important part in both the flashbacks and the present events, in which Jeff is dangerously close to falling into a life of crime and complete separation from his family. Interestingly, this novel has a number of focal points, or equally strong storylines, offering readers a broad range of perspectives and ensuing moral questions. This comprehensive level of storytelling keeps the energy up and maintains a good pace, while also providing emotional outlets for readers dealing with all different sorts of trauma and difficulty.
As with Donnelly's other books, the story has a universal quality that will speak to everyone, even if readers don't consider themselves to be overly religious. There is a spiritual and philosophical aspect to the points he is making, and the beliefs that the characters hold, rather than overtly religious - the potential to change your behavior and improve the path you make through the world is something to which everyone can aspire. Donnelly is both inspiring and gut-wrenching at the same time, capable of making readers laugh through tears and take a hard look at their own life story.
As a whole, If I Came Back from Hell is a creative, thought-provoking, and passionate book by an author who is constantly finding new ways to probe the marrow of the human spirit.
Frank McGovern has not lived a traditionally "good" life, being disloyal to his wife and a distant father to his son. However, when an accident befalls him and his existence is transformed overnight, something rather miraculous happens. In the struggle to find his way back into the light of the living, he must also traverse the long road that brought him to this point. These realizations come back in fits and starts, worked in expertly by the author, so readers are essentially rebuilding the puzzle of McGovern's life right along with him.
The peripheral characters, including his wife, Jane, and their son, Jeff, are well-developed foils that play an important part in both the flashbacks and the present events, in which Jeff is dangerously close to falling into a life of crime and complete separation from his family. Interestingly, this novel has a number of focal points, or equally strong storylines, offering readers a broad range of perspectives and ensuing moral questions. This comprehensive level of storytelling keeps the energy up and maintains a good pace, while also providing emotional outlets for readers dealing with all different sorts of trauma and difficulty.
As with Donnelly's other books, the story has a universal quality that will speak to everyone, even if readers don't consider themselves to be overly religious. There is a spiritual and philosophical aspect to the points he is making, and the beliefs that the characters hold, rather than overtly religious - the potential to change your behavior and improve the path you make through the world is something to which everyone can aspire. Donnelly is both inspiring and gut-wrenching at the same time, capable of making readers laugh through tears and take a hard look at their own life story.
As a whole, If I Came Back from Hell is a creative, thought-provoking, and passionate book by an author who is constantly finding new ways to probe the marrow of the human spirit.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews