I just finished this book (it took me forever; it was nearly 900 pages). Anyway, I read Wally Lamb's first book, She's Come Undone, and really enjoyed that one, and figured I'd enjoy this one as well. She's Come Undone was rather odd, but this one, was poignant. Yes, a strange word to describe a book, but very poignant. By the way, it happened to be an Oprah recom., which nearly assured me I would enjoy it. I won't ruin the story just in case you find an old copy to read (it's been out for quite some time; someone gave me a copy) but I can tell you that it's disturbing, compelling, but mostly, satisfying.

A long, long time ago, when Dr. Laura was the craze and I was a faithful listener, she preached over and over again about the power of turning a damaging circumstance in your life, or a painful experience, into a positive. In other words, we all have baggage that occurred in our lives, and nothing, and I mean nothing, seems to heal it. In order to begin the healing process, turn it around.... Make sure it never happens to anyone else. Take that energy, and turn it into a positive. Fill yourself up with spreading good things, not bad. Begin healing by reaching out, and helping someone. By doing so, you'll be helping yourself to fill that void, and heal that wound that has been hurting for such a long time.

The character in this book portrays the essence of that lesson so beautifully. You'll cry for him and his family and you'll be so sad when you turn that last page, and realize it's the end. I kept the book at work, and read it during breaks and lunches, and when I finished, I sat at my desk, with a sandwich in one hand and a tissue in the other, and cried and cried - A good cry, knowing that the human spirit can go from the very lowest of lows, to the highest high, and can heal, no matter what.

I have a copy in case anyone wants to borrow it.

Have a GREAT week!