Max & Pip are the strongest couple you know. Only now they're facing the most important decision of their lives - and they don't agree.
As the consequences of an impossible choice threaten to devastate them both, nothing will ever be the same again.
But anything can happen
AFTER THE END....
Max & Pip Adams are one of the strongest couples they know, that is until their son Dylan is diagnosed with a life limiting illness. He has spent months in PICU after surgery and treatment for a brain tumour. He has seizures and is unlikely to ever walk and has considerable brain damage and no other treatments available to him. Doctors have advised Max & Pip that Dylan should be given best supportive care and allowed to die and whilst Pip believes that her son has been through enough and agrees with the hospital, Max does not and wishes his son to travel to the States for Proton Beam Therapy. Proton Beam Therapy is not the usual treatment for this type of brain tumour and whilst may prolong his life ultimately there is no cure. With the parents unable to agree the hospital goes to court for a definitive decision. There will be no winner in this case and its whether the decision will bring them closer together or tear them apart.
I have read all of Claire Macintosh's novels and loved them all. Her latest novel is split into three sections. The first section begins with Max & Pip attending court whilst taking you through their journey to this point, about their lives prior to Dylan becoming ill. Allowing you to think about how you would make a decision like this about a child you love.
Section two was after the court case and at first I found it a little confusing at first as I couldn't quite understand the direction it was taking. I then realised that you were being given two scenario's the first should the decision be made to allow Dylan to die and how this would impact on Max & Pips relationship. The second being how their lives would unfold if Dylan were to receive Proton Beam Therapy and the impact of having a disabled child and the care he would need knowing that ultimately you would still loose him at some point in the future.
The third section takes you back to learning the decision of the court and how this will change the lives of Max & Pip forever and ultimately what happens to them both after loosing their son.
Like all Clare Macintosh novels it is very well written and each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the main characters of which there are three over a period of 8 years. |Its no only thought provoking but also takes you on a very emotional journey and may have you reaching for the tissues. If my last book took me six weeks to complete this one took me six days and I would highly recommend it.
I have read all of Claire Macintosh's novels and loved them all. Her latest novel is split into three sections. The first section begins with Max & Pip attending court whilst taking you through their journey to this point, about their lives prior to Dylan becoming ill. Allowing you to think about how you would make a decision like this about a child you love.
Section two was after the court case and at first I found it a little confusing at first as I couldn't quite understand the direction it was taking. I then realised that you were being given two scenario's the first should the decision be made to allow Dylan to die and how this would impact on Max & Pips relationship. The second being how their lives would unfold if Dylan were to receive Proton Beam Therapy and the impact of having a disabled child and the care he would need knowing that ultimately you would still loose him at some point in the future.
The third section takes you back to learning the decision of the court and how this will change the lives of Max & Pip forever and ultimately what happens to them both after loosing their son.
Like all Clare Macintosh novels it is very well written and each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the main characters of which there are three over a period of 8 years. |Its no only thought provoking but also takes you on a very emotional journey and may have you reaching for the tissues. If my last book took me six weeks to complete this one took me six days and I would highly recommend it.
Mx
Sounds like a great read. It was discussed on Woman's Hour some two weeks ago, the author was in the studio. You might enjoy this, the interview gives an insight into why she chose this topic (I don't want to spoil it for you, in case you are going to listen to the podcast).
ReplyDeleteThank you Christina I may well have a listen on Friday on my day off. I know she has written in the authors notes about the decision her and her husband made in about 2005/6. She didn't go into great detail about her son but may do in the podcast.
DeleteMx
I didn't know that Claire Mackintosh has a new book out. I've read her previous three and enjoyed them but this seems totally different to the things she usually writes about. I'm intrigued though and will put it on my books to read list.
ReplyDeleteI just happened to spot it in Sainsbury's last week otherwise I wouldn't of known either. Its very different topic to her usual style of writing but was very good.
DeleteMx
I haven't seen any of her books over here, I'll have to keep my eye out for any.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a kindle or ipad you could down load the kindle app to then you would be able to get them through amazon. Or you may be able to find them at the library possibly. They are worth reading.
DeleteMx
It sounds like an interesting, if slightly harrowing, read. I've enjoyed a couple of her previous books, so I 'll keep an eye open at the library for this one. x
ReplyDeleteIt is different to her usual topic of writing but very good and worth reading.
DeleteMx