Genre: Historical / Contemporary / Romance
Book Type: Physical
Author: Kristin Hannah
Pages: 384
Publisher: Ballantine Books; First Edition (September 27, 1995)
Book Description:
She doesn’t remember who she is or how she came to the mansion on the isolated Maine coast. Lost in a strange world filled with even stranger faces, Selena finds comfort in a man whose eyes reflect her own aloneness.
He is Ian Carrick, a brilliant physician turned recluse, hiding from life in the anonymity of this small sanctuary, haunted by a telepathic gift that has destroyed his desire to heal.
Selena comes to him, the only person he’s ever met who is immune to his psychic powers. A mesmerizing innocent, she turns his life upside down, bringing light into the darkness and laughter into the silence. For her, he begins to believe in life again, to believe in himself. And then a mysterious figure from the past arrives, threatening to destroy their glorious love and the fantasy world they have created together….
Thoughts:
Confession: I have never read @kristinhannahauthor before but I CANNOT WAIT to read more!!!
This was an incredible story about a doctor (Ian), who is making waves in the medical field in the 1890s, when something happens and he stops practicing medicine. At that time, he goes to live with his mom (who has dementia), and takes on a few other “patients” that society as outcast for various reasons, as they do not fit the societal norms. During this time, he is brought Selena, who has suffered a massive brain injury and needs his medical treatment. Although he hadn’t been practicing, he works day and night to save this woman, and when she awakens, she has no memory of who she was beforehand, but she has the most positive outlook on life and people that rubs off on anyone she comes in contact with.
This was one of the most beautifully written pieces of work I have read in a long time! The sense of family, belonging, redemption, love, compassion, understanding, acceptance, healing and struggle are present on every page of this book. It was the most perfect #bookclub selection and it provided a lot of excellent discussion. The way Hannah was able to show a universal desire for love and acceptance was profoundly moving and touching in this novel. As she so beautifully put it:
“I know you get used to people rejecting you. You’ve come to expect it. But it never stops hurting. You spend your whole life looking for someone – just one person – who sees past your scar.”
*** cue the sobs ***
I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to tackle the other 10 books I’ve acquired of hers! I struggled with the rating because I don’t normally do historical books so the beginning was slightly harder to get into – but I was instantly hooked on her writing and the story picked up quickly.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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