Clawback – Gemma Rice – 5*

Although I have tagged this with “Christianity” and “faith” it’s not what I would describe as a religious book.  I have added these tags due to one line when Steffani is getting a tatoo of a cross done on her hip –

Sometimes we’re nailed to that cross; sometimes we’re carrying that cross; sometimes we find salvation and peace through that cross.

She describes how she is into symbols and that this is the reason she is getting the cross tatoo, and this quote really stood out for me.

I’ve also tagged this as being “controversial” and “may be disturbing to some”, this book records the story of Steffani being in an abusive relationship and details the cheating, isolation and fear that she experiences and goes on to show the good new life she forms for herself when she is finally able to break free completely and become a survivor.

I normally struggle when reading stories about domestic violence as I have been there.  However, I have to admit that this story was so accurate and believable, making me want to continue reading to find out how the story ended.  There wasn’t masses of detail about the types of abuse that Steffani experienced, but it clearly showed the way a person slowly and surely becomes the centre of your world and isolates you from everyone else you know and everything you like.

This is one of the few books that has made it to a 5* rating with me, and one that I will definitely re-read.

They say that every story has an element of truth to it, and I just pray that the writer of this book wasn’t modelling her character on herself.  It was written in a way that makes you wonder if she has personally been there.  If she has been there, it certainly looks like she has come out the other side – but then is this just a fantasy of how she would like it to end; her hopes and dreams?  I do not know and would not like to make something of nothing, but there is an accurate truth and insight with this story.

So many people wonder why when someone is in an abusive relationship that the person doesn’t just get up and leave – this book explains it perfectly and would be a real insight to someone who hasn’t been through it personally or by knowing someone who has gone through it.

Diary of the Displaced – Glynn James 5*

I have to admit this is not the typical kind of book I would normally consider reading.  However, I have an ‘addiction’ to downloading the free books from www.amazon.co.uk for my Kindle.  I have found some amazing new authors by allowing this ‘addiction’ to take hold.  It’s not an addiction that makes me feel bad, because I’m not spending anything to feed it.

Anyway back to this book.  Zombies, dog-like creatures and ghosts fill the pages of this book, but it is written in a way that is fascinating and makes you want to keep turning the pages.  Although there are details of zombie killings and fighting, it’s not overly graphic.  Glynn has the art of leaving enough out to leave your imagination to really soar and creat the scenes in your head.

The story charts the struggle for survival and escape, the bond between a man and his ‘dog’, a faith in your own capabilities and a belief in a life after this one.

Led by intuition, and friendships with the ghosts and ‘dog’, James (the central character) learns to survive.  The majority of the time, I felt like I was actually there with James, and I could feel his emotions and struggles as he learnt how to be self-sufficient and live off nature.

The development of the storyline was believable and at a pace that was easy to keep up with.  There was sufficient detail in the writing to know what was being described and experienced, but not so much that it detracted from the plot and gave your own mind plenty to feed on

Assisted suicide

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16410118

Well it’s something I think everyone knew would come about at some point.  There have been many people who have sought clarification of the current laws regarding assisted suicide and the possibility for criminal prosecution for those who have aided loved ones, either by supporting them at home or by helping them to travel to the countries where it is legal.

Fundamentally I disagree with a form of killing, including abortion and euthanasia, however, I am moved by the stories of people who wish to end their life with dignity and to lessen the suffering that their illnesses/ conditions will inevitably bring as they progress.  I belive that people should be given the choice, but that it should be an informed, rational and reasonable given their prognosis.

There is a very strong argument that we show more compassion for animals and that when they are suffering we humanely put them to sleep for them to suffer no more.  I am not in any way trying to equate human life with animals.  However, we do get attached to our pets and class them as part of our families, we mourn them in just the same way that we would mourn the passing of a parent, spouse, sibling, child or friend.

My biggest worry about assisted suicide is the rules and regulations that will be made to govern the whole issue.  I think we are heading on the right track to limit it to people with only 1 year left to live and I also think that it’s great that there is the proposal that 2 doctors would have to be convinced of the state of mind of the person requesting assisted suicide.

Another worry is regarding who decides there is only 1 year left to live?  Sometimes the medical profession simply gets things wrong.  Take the example of the Lockerbie bomber for instance; released on compassionate grounds due to having incurable cancer that would take his life within 1 year, some 2+ years later (although still very ill) he is very much alive.  And what about medical/ scientific advances? What if a cure was found that would reverse the illness or have given the person suffering a new lease of life?

Whatever your view on assisted suicide, it looks like we are a step closer to it happening.  All we can do is pray for those people who will be affected by this, pray that no person feels compelled to it out of a feeling of ‘duty’ and fear of being a burden.  But most of all pray for the people who are going to be debating and writing these laws and for the minds of the medical professionals who will ultimately be responsible for ending the life of another person.