Seven Letters

WOW. Where do I even begin! If I could give this book 25 starts I would, 5 stars doesn’t even do it justice. This was an emotional rollercoaster, but one I didn’t want to get off until I finished it and I couldn’t do that quickly enough. I just kept reading and reading, unable or unwilling to put it down till I had read the final page.

Sarah is a young woman with a 7-year-old daughter and pregnant with a son, one day she suddenly collapses. She has a brain injury and her husband, sister and dad get told she is brain dead. They argue over whether to let her go or try and keep her on the ventilator, so the baby has a chance to live.

This book is hard to read and it’s one that makes you think, life is normal and then in the blink of an eye it can change completely and for this family it did. How a family torn to pieces with grief cope with this, it is horrific, and the little daughter just devastated me, she was so convinced her mummy would wake up on her Holy Communion Day.

For me personally it was extremely hard to read, as not quite two years ago my family was that family, different situation, but the same life in limbo, waiting in the ICU. The turning off of the ventilator brought memories to the surface, though memories that are always there. But this was written so beautifully and thoughtfully, and it made me glad I had read it.

So many loving and annoying characters. Even though Adam was going through hell, I did really hate him at times. Anyone could sympathise yes, but my heart broke for Sarah’s sister and dad too.

I have read many books by this author, however, this one has to be my favourite and I would highly recommend it. It is beautiful, deep, thought provoking, harrowing, devastating, challenging and so much more.

I feel I should and could write lots more, but I will leave the rest to be read by you.

Submitted by Stephanie