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Proof of Heaven
“ Proof of Heaven belongs on any keeper shelf. It’s beautifully written, mesmerizing and tragic, thought-provoking, and a reaffirmation of faith….I loved this book.”
—Shelley Shepard Gray Proof of Heaven by Mary Curran Hackett is an astonishing debut—a moving, inspiring, and wise first novel that explores beautifully the meaning of family, faith, and love. The story of a mother’s unshakable belief, a child’s bravery, and a doctor’s dedication to healing, this is extraordinarily compelling contemporary fiction certain to appeal to fans of the acclaimed works of Alice McDermott, Mary Karr, Ann Lamott, and Jodi Picoult; to readers who made the inspirational novel The Shack a phenomenal success; and to all of us with questions of life, death, God, and the afterlife at the forefront of our minds.
—Shelley Shepard Gray Proof of Heaven by Mary Curran Hackett is an astonishing debut—a moving, inspiring, and wise first novel that explores beautifully the meaning of family, faith, and love. The story of a mother’s unshakable belief, a child’s bravery, and a doctor’s dedication to healing, this is extraordinarily compelling contemporary fiction certain to appeal to fans of the acclaimed works of Alice McDermott, Mary Karr, Ann Lamott, and Jodi Picoult; to readers who made the inspirational novel The Shack a phenomenal success; and to all of us with questions of life, death, God, and the afterlife at the forefront of our minds.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
92 people are currently reading
1658 people want to read
About the author
Mary Curran Hackett
4 books40 followersMary Curran Hackett is the mother of two children and is married to Greg Hackett. She received an MA in English Literature from the University of Nebraska and a BA from the University Honors Program at Catholic University in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Danbury, CT, she has traveled extensively and lived in various places throughout the U.S., but her favorite place in the world is home with her kids, husband, and her stacks of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
November 14, 2011
Apparently some people feel as if I gave away some of the book, so don't read this review unless you want to know so of what happens, although if anyone reads the few first pages you will figure it out for yourself.
I really enjoyed this book, but the last few chapters had me not wanting to pick it up. It just bored me. I already knew Colm didn't believe in God, and I know Cathleen is searching for anything to save her son. I knew Dr Basu is going to fall in love with Cathleen --
I really loved learning new information about this whole heart/brain combo not working together and I really wanted to like the characters but they were just missing that extra special umf for me to give it 5 stars.
At the end I feel lost and not really fulfilled, which leaves me in a bit of a state because I really enjoyed most of the book. It goes back and forth between people at a moment's notice and sometimes I found myself re-reading because I had to figure out who was talking since it shifted halfway through the paragraph.
With a bit of more fine tuned editing this could have been an excellent book instead of an OK book. This author has promise though! I look forward to more!
Received my free copy courtesy of Amazon Vine Program.
I really enjoyed this book, but the last few chapters had me not wanting to pick it up. It just bored me. I already knew Colm didn't believe in God, and I know Cathleen is searching for anything to save her son. I knew Dr Basu is going to fall in love with Cathleen --
I really loved learning new information about this whole heart/brain combo not working together and I really wanted to like the characters but they were just missing that extra special umf for me to give it 5 stars.
At the end I feel lost and not really fulfilled, which leaves me in a bit of a state because I really enjoyed most of the book. It goes back and forth between people at a moment's notice and sometimes I found myself re-reading because I had to figure out who was talking since it shifted halfway through the paragraph.
With a bit of more fine tuned editing this could have been an excellent book instead of an OK book. This author has promise though! I look forward to more!
Received my free copy courtesy of Amazon Vine Program.
October 10, 2011
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com...
Proof of Heaven is a book about a mother and a child and the lengths any parent would go to save a sick child. It is also a book about beliefs - as the title suggests - about god and what happens after death. Cathleen is a young single mother trying to care for Colm, her very young but very sick child. Due to his illness, Colm has "died" many times in his life and then returned.
The book touches on different points of view on heaven and what happens after death - the absolute believer in heaven, the nonbeliever, the one torn between belief and nonbelief, and the believer who no longer believes. Ultimately, the book is about a mother's love and her desire to take any path that will mean a cure for her son.
The topic of the book is an interesting one that has been discussed in so many contexts. The first half of the book develops the different points of view and depicts them through individual characters in the book. The characters are at some points likable and at some points really not. The story is well told at this point and interesting to read.
The latter half of the book unfortunately goes beyond that. To me, it becomes melodramatic. Colm is age seven towards the end of the book. The statements attributed to him come across as much older sounding. Perhaps, that is maturity attained through living with illness, but it does not always ring true. It seems to be there to make the point of the book.
Whether or not the book gives proof of heaven, I leave you to discover.
*** Reviewed for LibraryThing Early Reviewer ***
Proof of Heaven is a book about a mother and a child and the lengths any parent would go to save a sick child. It is also a book about beliefs - as the title suggests - about god and what happens after death. Cathleen is a young single mother trying to care for Colm, her very young but very sick child. Due to his illness, Colm has "died" many times in his life and then returned.
The book touches on different points of view on heaven and what happens after death - the absolute believer in heaven, the nonbeliever, the one torn between belief and nonbelief, and the believer who no longer believes. Ultimately, the book is about a mother's love and her desire to take any path that will mean a cure for her son.
The topic of the book is an interesting one that has been discussed in so many contexts. The first half of the book develops the different points of view and depicts them through individual characters in the book. The characters are at some points likable and at some points really not. The story is well told at this point and interesting to read.
The latter half of the book unfortunately goes beyond that. To me, it becomes melodramatic. Colm is age seven towards the end of the book. The statements attributed to him come across as much older sounding. Perhaps, that is maturity attained through living with illness, but it does not always ring true. It seems to be there to make the point of the book.
Whether or not the book gives proof of heaven, I leave you to discover.
*** Reviewed for LibraryThing Early Reviewer ***
November 9, 2011
"Faith is the recognition of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
Colm Francis Magee had died seven times before his seventh birthday. Cardiac arrest. Not to be mistaken for a heart attack in which clogged arteries prevent blood from reaching the heart and then the muscle withers. There was nothing wrong with Colm's strength of heart. No, Colm Francis Magee's heart simply and inexplicably stopped beating at the most inopportune moments.
And that is the beginning of Mary Curran Hackett's latest novel, Proof of Heaven. Wow! What does a parent do when faced with those overwhelming situations? You do what Cathleen Magee does as a single mom, you do whatever it takes to find the answers to what you son, suddenly with very little warning, has his heart stop beating and dies until they can revive him. After visiting so many doctors and compiling a massive medical file, no one has been able to successfully diagnosis the reason why this happens. Cathleen fears that if she doesn't find an answer soon, one of these times, Colm may never wake up again.
When she is referring to Dr. Gaspar Basu, she immediately notices quite a few things are different about him. For one, he is very young, mid thirties at least, well dressed and above all speaks very little to her but mostly to Colm. He is very tuned in to what he has to say, how he feels before his attacks happen and what he feels upon waking up. He immediately suggests that Colm receive a pacemaker to help keep his heart beating when his body refuses to do so on its own. Confused and bitter after making this suggestion after just a few minutes, Cathleen is doubtful that he knows what he is talking about especially when he has ordered no tests like all the others.
Asking for time to consider this option, she heads to talk to her brother Sean. Being able to offer very little as far as advice goes, Sean suggests that she do it, at least it may help keep him alive and offer a sense of normalcy that neither of them have now. It's only when Colm has another attack that leaves him "dead" for 10 minutes, Cathleen is willing to do whatever it takes to keep him alive, only she's not sure is Colm will have much brain function after being clinically dead that long.
I received this book compliments of TLC Book Tours for my honest review and LOVED it. This book will completely grab the reader by the heart strings and never let go. You are caught between a mother's unconditional love to do whatever it takes to make sure her son doesn't die and Colm's strange notion that he understands more than he can tell his mom. He knows he isn't getting any better and is fearful of what will happen to him "after." Hands down this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars in my personal opinion but a word of caution, once you begin this one, you'll be committed til the very end.
Colm Francis Magee had died seven times before his seventh birthday. Cardiac arrest. Not to be mistaken for a heart attack in which clogged arteries prevent blood from reaching the heart and then the muscle withers. There was nothing wrong with Colm's strength of heart. No, Colm Francis Magee's heart simply and inexplicably stopped beating at the most inopportune moments.
And that is the beginning of Mary Curran Hackett's latest novel, Proof of Heaven. Wow! What does a parent do when faced with those overwhelming situations? You do what Cathleen Magee does as a single mom, you do whatever it takes to find the answers to what you son, suddenly with very little warning, has his heart stop beating and dies until they can revive him. After visiting so many doctors and compiling a massive medical file, no one has been able to successfully diagnosis the reason why this happens. Cathleen fears that if she doesn't find an answer soon, one of these times, Colm may never wake up again.
When she is referring to Dr. Gaspar Basu, she immediately notices quite a few things are different about him. For one, he is very young, mid thirties at least, well dressed and above all speaks very little to her but mostly to Colm. He is very tuned in to what he has to say, how he feels before his attacks happen and what he feels upon waking up. He immediately suggests that Colm receive a pacemaker to help keep his heart beating when his body refuses to do so on its own. Confused and bitter after making this suggestion after just a few minutes, Cathleen is doubtful that he knows what he is talking about especially when he has ordered no tests like all the others.
Asking for time to consider this option, she heads to talk to her brother Sean. Being able to offer very little as far as advice goes, Sean suggests that she do it, at least it may help keep him alive and offer a sense of normalcy that neither of them have now. It's only when Colm has another attack that leaves him "dead" for 10 minutes, Cathleen is willing to do whatever it takes to keep him alive, only she's not sure is Colm will have much brain function after being clinically dead that long.
I received this book compliments of TLC Book Tours for my honest review and LOVED it. This book will completely grab the reader by the heart strings and never let go. You are caught between a mother's unconditional love to do whatever it takes to make sure her son doesn't die and Colm's strange notion that he understands more than he can tell his mom. He knows he isn't getting any better and is fearful of what will happen to him "after." Hands down this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars in my personal opinion but a word of caution, once you begin this one, you'll be committed til the very end.
July 14, 2012
I will tell you right now that as a parent of two children this book hit home. Not because I have an ill child or have ever had to experience making decisions all the while knowing that your child is still going to die you just have to make him comfortable on that journey, but because I know what it is like to love a child so fiercely that you would do anything to make it all better. Nobody can ever understand what it's like to love a child like a mother can- between carrying that child and knowing that it's solely you nurturing the baby to existence and then knowing that you can't always protect them is something you can't experience unless you've done it. So with that, I knew reading this book my heart would break and I would hug my kids extra tight and thank my stars that I have been so fortunate with good health and happy hearts.
What I liked about this book is that you know upfront how it's going to end and that a child's untimely death is really maybe timely and purposeful. It sounds terrible but I think that every death is timely- we are all meant to go when we go, but if you don't take something from that death then it makes it tragic. So with Colm's death as sad as you know it's going to be, I think the story the author weaves around him is beautiful. He wasn't meant to live a long life, but he was meant to change the lives he was a part of and he does that.
I will be honest, the part of the story where he questions heaven breaks my heart. To think of a child as young as him questioning whether heaven is real or not is sad. Maybe that's what I found to be the saddest part of the book for me. Not so much that we was going to die, but that he is more worried about what will happen to him and what will happen to his mother. It breaks my heart to think of that because Colm reminded me a lot of my own Jackson.
I don't want to go into too much of the book but I really encourage you to read it. It will break your heart, it will make you cry, it will make you thankful but above all- I think it makes you look at those in your life and really think about their purpose in your life. A quote that is in the book that is remarked as belong to C.S Lewis was, "Prayer doesn't change God, it changes me." It's food for thought.
What I liked about this book is that you know upfront how it's going to end and that a child's untimely death is really maybe timely and purposeful. It sounds terrible but I think that every death is timely- we are all meant to go when we go, but if you don't take something from that death then it makes it tragic. So with Colm's death as sad as you know it's going to be, I think the story the author weaves around him is beautiful. He wasn't meant to live a long life, but he was meant to change the lives he was a part of and he does that.
I will be honest, the part of the story where he questions heaven breaks my heart. To think of a child as young as him questioning whether heaven is real or not is sad. Maybe that's what I found to be the saddest part of the book for me. Not so much that we was going to die, but that he is more worried about what will happen to him and what will happen to his mother. It breaks my heart to think of that because Colm reminded me a lot of my own Jackson.
I don't want to go into too much of the book but I really encourage you to read it. It will break your heart, it will make you cry, it will make you thankful but above all- I think it makes you look at those in your life and really think about their purpose in your life. A quote that is in the book that is remarked as belong to C.S Lewis was, "Prayer doesn't change God, it changes me." It's food for thought.
January 28, 2012
The beginning of this book seemed so promising of it being a unique and interesting story! A young boy collapses and his heart stops beating. He seems to be dead....but then he is revived and seems back to normal. This happens several times, baffling the doctors and immensely worrying his single mom. Then comes chapter after chapter of the mom and her brother arguing and fighting, the boy doubting that God and Heaven are real, the doctor getting personally involved in this patient's life.....and all of that seemed to drag on and on, making me feel stuck and think I would never get to the end! This is a story that started out great, hit rock bottom, and then had an ok ending, finally!
January 22, 2012
I'm going to justify this by saying this book was a Christmas Gift and I felt a certain obligation to read it as the friend who gave it to me is a relative of the author. Coupled with this fact I have zero to nil connections with any writer so there's a certain smugness in mentally noting along the lines of- 'oh, I guess It behooves me dig in here as I've a passing connection with this writer', like as if my perusal/review drives the NYT book review meeting its deadline this Sunday.
The tragedy is that I read this on a train in Ireland over the holiday and I was mortified for fear somebody would take an interest in what I was reading. That said, it would be a cold day in hell before this rubbish would make it to a book shelf in Ireland - even a book shelf for delinquents who speak English as a fourth language. So, no fear that anybody would have even heard of it.
The book just notched up another series of Irish stereotypes but do allow me to check the boxes in case you ever missed Darby O'Gill and the Little People. -
Religious Fanatic mom (ie, Catholic)
'strong' female
Female clearly inherited strength from even stronger (dead) mother
Both strong daughter and even stronger dead mother with cross to bear (widowed/sick son)
Bearing cross (only known by single irish women) is heart wrenching but done with such stoic pride.
Intruding Parish Priest - in everybody's business.
Alcoholic Brother
Alcoholic Brother who's single
Alcoholic Brother, who's single, and good looking in a single alcoholic brother sort of way (never actually stated but silent, strong, manly and can, mostly, hold his liquor).
Single Alcoholic good looking brother intensely impacted by death of mother ( = alcoholic)
Single Alcoholic good looking brother with oedipal complex now working as a NY Fireman
Single Alcoholic good looking brother with oedipal tendencies conducting outburst with annoying priest, demonstrating personal conflict over strong sister's fanatical appreciation of Catholicism. All works out good though as Priest is oblivious to Alcoholic brother's personal dilemma (phew).
Dead Father
Dead Father who was a cop/fireman (can't remember which but feel free to pick either profession)
I'm almost sure somebody had red hair but can't 100% confirm
I'm also almost sure somebody quoted an Irish prayer in their time of need.
The tragedy is that I read this on a train in Ireland over the holiday and I was mortified for fear somebody would take an interest in what I was reading. That said, it would be a cold day in hell before this rubbish would make it to a book shelf in Ireland - even a book shelf for delinquents who speak English as a fourth language. So, no fear that anybody would have even heard of it.
The book just notched up another series of Irish stereotypes but do allow me to check the boxes in case you ever missed Darby O'Gill and the Little People. -
Religious Fanatic mom (ie, Catholic)
'strong' female
Female clearly inherited strength from even stronger (dead) mother
Both strong daughter and even stronger dead mother with cross to bear (widowed/sick son)
Bearing cross (only known by single irish women) is heart wrenching but done with such stoic pride.
Intruding Parish Priest - in everybody's business.
Alcoholic Brother
Alcoholic Brother who's single
Alcoholic Brother, who's single, and good looking in a single alcoholic brother sort of way (never actually stated but silent, strong, manly and can, mostly, hold his liquor).
Single Alcoholic good looking brother intensely impacted by death of mother ( = alcoholic)
Single Alcoholic good looking brother with oedipal complex now working as a NY Fireman
Single Alcoholic good looking brother with oedipal tendencies conducting outburst with annoying priest, demonstrating personal conflict over strong sister's fanatical appreciation of Catholicism. All works out good though as Priest is oblivious to Alcoholic brother's personal dilemma (phew).
Dead Father
Dead Father who was a cop/fireman (can't remember which but feel free to pick either profession)
I'm almost sure somebody had red hair but can't 100% confirm
I'm also almost sure somebody quoted an Irish prayer in their time of need.
September 20, 2011
Religious undertones and metaphors abound in this tale of a terminally ill young boy who is searching for his father (are we all searching for OUR FATHER?). The biblical aspects of the story are evident in the representation of each character. Cathleen, the mother represents Mary, her brother Sean is a composite of Joseph (the foster-father) and John (a disciple), Dr. Gaspar Basu embodies the characteristics of the Magi bringing the gifts of wisdom, love and protection to the young Colm (Jesus?). Conversly, from a strictly earthly standpoint each person could be said to represent one of the elements. Pragmatic Dr. Basu is solid earth, the ever ebbing, flowing and evolving Cathleen is water, while angry, explosive Sean exudes fire, and Colm is the gently blowing wind that brings a quiet pleasure to our days.
Like many good people each of the characters struggle to understand the “why” of what has happened in their lives and their personal re-examination ultimately leads each to meaningful answers. In a lot of fiction, when someone is facing death it’s all gloom and doom and there’s a tendency to romanticize the anticipated event. The thing that keeps PROOF OF HEAVEN from sinking into a desperate sadness is Mary Curran Hackett’s skilled depictions of love, be it maternal, familial and romantic. She is almost always successful in keeping her eye on a beautiful idea while holding despair at bay.
This novice writer has managed to create a special world designed for hope that brings readers to the realization that life is a journey, that everything you believe (or don’t believe) can change in the blink of an eye and that sometimes heaven is a place of your own making.
Like many good people each of the characters struggle to understand the “why” of what has happened in their lives and their personal re-examination ultimately leads each to meaningful answers. In a lot of fiction, when someone is facing death it’s all gloom and doom and there’s a tendency to romanticize the anticipated event. The thing that keeps PROOF OF HEAVEN from sinking into a desperate sadness is Mary Curran Hackett’s skilled depictions of love, be it maternal, familial and romantic. She is almost always successful in keeping her eye on a beautiful idea while holding despair at bay.
This novice writer has managed to create a special world designed for hope that brings readers to the realization that life is a journey, that everything you believe (or don’t believe) can change in the blink of an eye and that sometimes heaven is a place of your own making.
April 29, 2013
The description of the book was very misleading - there was hardly any "search" for a proof of heaven. The premise of the book, a child with an unheard of disease, and keeps dying over and over, was a bit hard to swallow. Then, the trip to search for a miracle cure in Assisi was not well developed, almost senseless, and left me wanting more. Next, the author completely switched gears and the boy went looking for his real dad, and the whole entourage of people are able to travel cross country with this boy? The medical treatments were expensive, but were never explained how this woman could take all this time off from a low-paying job, and pay hundreds of thousands of dollars. The ending was extremely unbelievable, and this "proof" was no proof at all. The author attempted, but did not succeed, in bringing in snippets of religion, atheism, and agnosticism, but was never convincing with any of it. In its entirety, I was very disappointed in this book, and would caution anyone who is looking for a book similar to "Heaven Is For Real", this is not for you.
November 6, 2011
Wow, read this in one sitting and loved it. I couldn't believe the author wrote it in two weeks! but in the afterword you find out that she and her loved ones share a lot of similarities with the characters so maybe that's why she was able to write it so quickly. It was an amazing story that kept me thinking long after I finished it. I did think the boy was inordinately mature for his age (five through seven in the story). Some of the things he said seemed a bit unrealistic to me but didn't detract from the story. This is a hard one to put down.
June 5, 2011
Great Story with great characters. Tackles some of the "big" questions in a unique way. Couldn't put it down!
September 2, 2011
A must read... A touching story with a surprising ending.
November 22, 2011
Original review posted here
I’m not even joking – I devoured this book in three hours. I could not put it down. Out of tea? Oh well. Cold and need to move to the bed to get under electric blanket? Nope. Don’t wanna stop reading.
Yet this book was so filled with such emotionally corny scenes I’m a bit ashamed of myself.
This goes back to that idea of entertainment. Was Proof of Heaven a challenging, literary read that had me pausing to collect my thoughts and ponder over the wonders contained in those pages? No. It wasn’t. But it was entertainment, and it made me “aw” a little, and it made me think about faith, and love, and hope, and joy, and sadness and all sorts of other human ideas and feelings.
While parts of the story did feel contrived (I’m sorry, I understand why the author was wanting her 5 – 7 year old boy to be that insightful, it was just a bit too jarring), there were parts that were beautiful as well – specifically the exploration of the relationships. Each character’s connection with Cathleen was unique and beautiful, in their own ways. I felt the frustration and the anger of Sean, the faithful steadfastness of the Cathleen’s priest, and sympathized with the Doctor as he grew closer to the small family he was helping.
While this isn’t one of those summery beach reads, it is a perfect read for a chilly winter day – provided your mug of hot tea doesn’t rudely empty itself before you can finish the book.
I’m not even joking – I devoured this book in three hours. I could not put it down. Out of tea? Oh well. Cold and need to move to the bed to get under electric blanket? Nope. Don’t wanna stop reading.
Yet this book was so filled with such emotionally corny scenes I’m a bit ashamed of myself.
This goes back to that idea of entertainment. Was Proof of Heaven a challenging, literary read that had me pausing to collect my thoughts and ponder over the wonders contained in those pages? No. It wasn’t. But it was entertainment, and it made me “aw” a little, and it made me think about faith, and love, and hope, and joy, and sadness and all sorts of other human ideas and feelings.
While parts of the story did feel contrived (I’m sorry, I understand why the author was wanting her 5 – 7 year old boy to be that insightful, it was just a bit too jarring), there were parts that were beautiful as well – specifically the exploration of the relationships. Each character’s connection with Cathleen was unique and beautiful, in their own ways. I felt the frustration and the anger of Sean, the faithful steadfastness of the Cathleen’s priest, and sympathized with the Doctor as he grew closer to the small family he was helping.
While this isn’t one of those summery beach reads, it is a perfect read for a chilly winter day – provided your mug of hot tea doesn’t rudely empty itself before you can finish the book.
September 16, 2013
**SPOILER ALERT** This book really let me down. I had high expectations of it and thought that perhaps there would be some meaning behind the title but unfortunately there's not. A little boy is slowly dying and his strong willed, religious mother is doing everything she can do prevent the inevitable. What's so frustrating is that the boy has an obvious lack of faith in the prospect of life after death yet his mother is portrayed to be some crazy catholic who over prays and forces her religious beliefs on others which doesn't gel too well at all. What I don't understand is what happens at the end; the little boy dies and he is taken to heaven where he sees a whole lot of people who have passed before him is this right? Does this also mean that his father (Pierce) is dead seeing as he saw him as well? I really feel that that needed to be explained better, especially seeing as Pierce was a common thread in the story line. What makes me question whether Colm did in fact die or not is when someone was pulling him away from heaven, saying it wasn't his time. Can someone please explain what happened there? Especially seeing as it didn't appear he came back to life either. The book just left me really confused and didn't really show me somebody's proof of heaven at all!
December 17, 2011
Wow, what a sensitive and honest presentation of one of life's biggest philisophical questions. As a bereaved parent I was forced to read it slowly as I could only take in so much at a sitting. But I am the richer for having read every word. At the same time the book is not without it's flaws. A few (very few) times it seemed I was reading a passage that was an unnecessary side bar, a tangent that was added after the book was written, perhaps to appease the more traditional reader. That aside, the characters were well drawn and vivid. Colm character was a little over the top, I suppose the way many mothers view their young sons. The book was so very REAL! Though my most personal loss was 12 years ago and I no longer agonize over the big questions surrounding the afterlife I could resonate with the perspective of each character, even the Monsignor.
For me, the last two chapters did not do justice the rest of the book. I guess the need to provide comfort prevailed.
I would say this is not a book for those who think they have the answers. To those who think they have the answers, wait until you realize you don't to read this book.
For me, the last two chapters did not do justice the rest of the book. I guess the need to provide comfort prevailed.
I would say this is not a book for those who think they have the answers. To those who think they have the answers, wait until you realize you don't to read this book.
June 24, 2014
Cathleen, abandoned by her boyfriend upon learning she was pregnant, is raising her young son, Colm, as a single mother. Colm suffers from a rare and fatal heart condition. Cathleen, raised in a strict Irish Catholic family clings to the hope that through prayer, Colm may be healed by a miracle. Sean, her older brother, is skeptical, having lost his faith following 9/11. Colm does not believe in God, but attends mass with his mother to offer her solace and a chance for hope. When Cathleen brings Colm to Dr. Basu, there is an immediate connection, as Dr. Basu sees in Colm redemption for the death of his own son. He offers the voice of medical science into the possibility of a "miracle". Together they bond into the role of a family for one another. As a mother, Cathleen will do anything for her son, going to any length to do all she can for him, even if it comes to letting him go.
The author drew from her own medical history to give credibility to Colm's illness. The story also draws depth from the conflicts and doubts in their struggles with their faith.
The author drew from her own medical history to give credibility to Colm's illness. The story also draws depth from the conflicts and doubts in their struggles with their faith.
January 30, 2012
I blame Books-a-Million for my subjection to this fatuous rubbish; they (for reasons both unknown an inexplicable) distinguished "Heaven" as their January book club selection, and I capitulated. Broadly, the novel is both mawkish and hackneyed, and the plot devolves into utter absurdity thanks to the disjointed pilgrimage to Assisi and the equally expedient cross-country tour intended to emblematize a quest for spiritual reconciliation and salvation. Also in contention are copious, ham-handed Biblical allusions and allegory, delivered with all the tender, tactful finesse of a death-blow from a viking's mace. Let's just say this author tells ALL and shows exceptionally little. Oh, and the dialogue? In a word, atrocious. The characters' exchanges sound as though they've been roughly translated from a foreign language or lifted directly from a 1960s-era public service announcement.
October 24, 2011
I am half way through and I have to say this book started off with so much promise and then it just ran out of gas. The conversations were not real, the story became contrite and not believable. Colm was saying things that a 40 year old would say. It is almost as if two separate people wrote it. I need a good book..
I am finished. I think in reviewing a book that has such religious content is a slippery slop, that I do not want to slid down. No matter what I say I will offend. I do not want to do that. I will just say that this is not a book that I would purchase off the shelf...I think books find us and we are drawn to read them. This would not be a book that would draw me.
It is an easy, if not predictable read, and I am sure many will be happy with it.
I am finished. I think in reviewing a book that has such religious content is a slippery slop, that I do not want to slid down. No matter what I say I will offend. I do not want to do that. I will just say that this is not a book that I would purchase off the shelf...I think books find us and we are drawn to read them. This would not be a book that would draw me.
It is an easy, if not predictable read, and I am sure many will be happy with it.
September 24, 2012
I just kept waiting for...something more. I couldn't stand any of the characters. Cathleen used her religion (and I'm a VERY devout Catholic myself) to hide from the world but had really no faith in it at all. Sean ended up having no redeeming qualities even though I kept thinking he would come to his senses. Dr. Basu was an annoying, egotistical jerk who didn't love Cathleen at all, he just loved the idea of having another chance at having a son. And Colm was a spoiled rotten brat. I know this sounds harsh, but I kept wanting to like them, and the more I read, the more is disliked them all!
November 12, 2011
I found myself profoundly touched by this book...I definitely shed a few tears! I've never read a book like this -- I would call it a spiritual novel. I thought it was a beautiful story, and incredible that so much of the author was in it, too. I think it's a must-read for any parent, but also anyone who has questioned their faith at some point in their lives.
September 1, 2020
I thought it was a little too surface-level about the whole faith issue. After reading the author's note I know why, I really don't like books when they are a very thinly concealed memoir. Either write a memoir or write a fiction story. I do think the ending redeemed the tale though, it was a good conclusion.
Read
October 11, 2011this book sounds amazing and i can't wait to read it. i'm curious to see how this book will affect me. the storyline sounds great, but i hope it doesn't end up being too overly emotional or anything. i'm also curious to see how faith and religion will play in this book. i don't normally read books with religious overtones but this one sounded too good to pass up.
November 2, 2011
Yep, read it in one day! So happy for my friend, Mary. This book is a heartwarming story and a moving read for all the mothers and fathers out there. Colm Francis Magee reminded me how truly amazing our children are!
June 20, 2015
This book is truly amazing! It is heartbreaking, and emotional. It shows a mothers never ending hope and love. and the strength and courage of one sick little boy on a journey to have just one dream come true.... to find his father whom abandoned him. beautifully written and heart felt.
September 18, 2011
Sentimental, of course, but I read the whole thing.
November 14, 2011
Was a goodreads winner of this book. I really enjoyed it. Was very touching and inspirational.
Want to read
November 10, 2011Won in First Reads giveaway! Full review coming soon =]
Read
August 3, 2013Great Story!
August 5, 2024
really enjoyed this book until it got closer to the end. a lot of the dialogue was unrealistic for a 7 year old boy, and i didn’t feel like the story wrapped up in a satisfying way
January 17, 2012
As children, we often go through a time where we question what happens when we die. Is there truly a heaven, or do we simply fade away? This is just one hurdle that the characters of Proof of Heaven try to clamber over. It’s boring, I know. It’s a question for adults who wear bow ties, and who are in possession of a PH. D to discuss. However, Mary Curran Hackett, the author of Proof of Heaven, makes this question, among others, touchable for teenagers who are struggling to maintain even a 90 average. Proof of Heaven is a staggering novel, a result of the way the author fills you with a sense of wonder when you finish the book, how she entwines you into the character’s struggles and successes, and keeps you entranced all the way to the end.
Proof of Heaven is an inspiring novel, because of the way the author fills you with a sense of wonder. Throughout the book, you are struck time and again emotionally by the fervor in which the characters search for their hearts desire. A non-existent cure for a undiagnosed disease, heaven, love, and even just a new purpose in life. At various moments throughout the story, one character or another will find what they were looking for, all but a doting mother, Cathleen, and a dying son, Colm (coh-lum). "'You have to believe. To hope. To know that there is always a chance, a way to fix you. … You’re my miracle Colm'" (291). A lot of the time, we tend to believe that there are no such things as miracles. Though this book is fiction, and very much so, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe miracles do exist. On a quest to find the father he never knew, Colm finds that his father never wanted to know him. While collapsing on the beach, yet again, Colm hears his uncle, mother and doctor calling out to him through his daze. Colm “dies” continuously throughout the book, always rising again after his heart beat flat-lines. Cathleen, Colm’s mother, has spent her life trying to find a miracle for her son, taking him to a holy city in Italy, paying to see countless doctors, and it becomes evident in this segment of how three dimensional these characters are. You become inspired by the character’s journey, and at the end of the book, you become filled with a sense of wonder and hope.
Another reason why Proof of Heaven is a thrilling novel is because of how you become entwined in the character’s personal stories; you can’t help but care about them. Proof of Heaven’s story line is composed of a tangled web of journeys that come together at the end of the book. The most prominent story you follow in this book is that of a desperate mother. From the first time that her son Colm died, Cathleen’s purpose in life became nothing else but to save her son. She had lost her father, mother and husband, and she didn’t want to lose Colm as well. Cathleen does everything for her son, becoming so desperate as to force her son to believe in a God he just doesn’t see. Her relentless, even smothering attempts to make him believe drive him away from his home and those who love him. "'She’s given up her whole god-damn life for you … she’s been praying to god to save you … she spent her whole life trying to protect you – trying to protect that sorry-ass father of yours. Trying to protect you from the sad, horrible truth'"(224). Colm’s uncle Sean explodes at Colm, trying to make him see that he doesn’t need his father, that he has everything – and that above all, he has broken his mother’s heart. “He held him because he knew better than anyone what is was like to grow up wondering about the father … he thought about how much harder it was for Colm, because his father chose to leave him, while his own was taken, consumed by fire "(266). Another thing you notice about the characters is how Hackett uses them to strengthen each other. You become awestruck by how seamlessly the characters interact, as though you were in their shoes, or even just in the story with them, following their every move, every thought. You feel their emotions, their fears, and you start to feel compassion or even hatred occasionally for the characters as well.
The last reason why Proof of Heaven is such an intriguing novel is because how you are entranced from the first page all the way to the last. "Colm Francis Magee had died seven times before his seventh birthday"(1). From the first page, you are captivated by Hackett’s writing style. She sets up the story in a short strange sentence that makes you question what the book will be about. Personally, I’ve never read a book that starts in this way, with such a bold sentence, and from the moment I read that sentence, I couldn’t put the book down. Hackett “stuns” you with an unordinary sentence that grabs you into the story, and won’t spit you out until you turn the last page. "Gaspar came running and before she knew it, he was standing next to her, staring, as she was at Colm’s empty bed"(162). Hackett ends chapter 19 with this sentence. While you know that Colm is missing, hence the empty bed, you don’t know where he’s gone. He might be eating a snack, or actually gone. Hackett ends many of her chapters with a cliffhanger, others simply just with a sense of closure. Either way she ends the chapters, you just cannot put the book down, because the book is so touching, and the story line never drags.
When I showed my friends this book, they saw the word “heaven”, and looked at me and went: “uh…. Interesting…” Contrary to what your first impressions may be, I can tell you that if you are turning away form this book because of the word “heaven”, you might want to reconsider. This book is not only about a search for heaven, or an afterlife, it’s about searching for meaning, and hope, and it’s amazing because of how well the characters are described, and how as a result, you feel compassion for them, and you just can’t turn away. It’s also stunning because of how you finish the book, not with a new view on religion, but instead on what life is about, and what it means to live. The main character Colm, dies unexpectedly several times, but rises every time. No one expects to die, but for him, it’s a fact of his everyday life. It’s captivating because of how Hackett draws you in and holds you there. Proof of Heaven is indeed, the teensiest bit depressing, but also hopeful. Depressing in the sense where you begin to develop an aching pain for Colm, as he tries to prove to himself that he will go to heaven after he dies, something that we often try to convince ourselves. I’d say that this book if for anyone who doesn’t mind a sappy novel here and then, but wants a realistic one for a change. This book is easy to relate to, because it centers on ideas and questions that almost every person faced at one point in their life, whether they were young or old.
Proof of Heaven is an inspiring novel, because of the way the author fills you with a sense of wonder. Throughout the book, you are struck time and again emotionally by the fervor in which the characters search for their hearts desire. A non-existent cure for a undiagnosed disease, heaven, love, and even just a new purpose in life. At various moments throughout the story, one character or another will find what they were looking for, all but a doting mother, Cathleen, and a dying son, Colm (coh-lum). "'You have to believe. To hope. To know that there is always a chance, a way to fix you. … You’re my miracle Colm'" (291). A lot of the time, we tend to believe that there are no such things as miracles. Though this book is fiction, and very much so, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe miracles do exist. On a quest to find the father he never knew, Colm finds that his father never wanted to know him. While collapsing on the beach, yet again, Colm hears his uncle, mother and doctor calling out to him through his daze. Colm “dies” continuously throughout the book, always rising again after his heart beat flat-lines. Cathleen, Colm’s mother, has spent her life trying to find a miracle for her son, taking him to a holy city in Italy, paying to see countless doctors, and it becomes evident in this segment of how three dimensional these characters are. You become inspired by the character’s journey, and at the end of the book, you become filled with a sense of wonder and hope.
Another reason why Proof of Heaven is a thrilling novel is because of how you become entwined in the character’s personal stories; you can’t help but care about them. Proof of Heaven’s story line is composed of a tangled web of journeys that come together at the end of the book. The most prominent story you follow in this book is that of a desperate mother. From the first time that her son Colm died, Cathleen’s purpose in life became nothing else but to save her son. She had lost her father, mother and husband, and she didn’t want to lose Colm as well. Cathleen does everything for her son, becoming so desperate as to force her son to believe in a God he just doesn’t see. Her relentless, even smothering attempts to make him believe drive him away from his home and those who love him. "'She’s given up her whole god-damn life for you … she’s been praying to god to save you … she spent her whole life trying to protect you – trying to protect that sorry-ass father of yours. Trying to protect you from the sad, horrible truth'"(224). Colm’s uncle Sean explodes at Colm, trying to make him see that he doesn’t need his father, that he has everything – and that above all, he has broken his mother’s heart. “He held him because he knew better than anyone what is was like to grow up wondering about the father … he thought about how much harder it was for Colm, because his father chose to leave him, while his own was taken, consumed by fire "(266). Another thing you notice about the characters is how Hackett uses them to strengthen each other. You become awestruck by how seamlessly the characters interact, as though you were in their shoes, or even just in the story with them, following their every move, every thought. You feel their emotions, their fears, and you start to feel compassion or even hatred occasionally for the characters as well.
The last reason why Proof of Heaven is such an intriguing novel is because how you are entranced from the first page all the way to the last. "Colm Francis Magee had died seven times before his seventh birthday"(1). From the first page, you are captivated by Hackett’s writing style. She sets up the story in a short strange sentence that makes you question what the book will be about. Personally, I’ve never read a book that starts in this way, with such a bold sentence, and from the moment I read that sentence, I couldn’t put the book down. Hackett “stuns” you with an unordinary sentence that grabs you into the story, and won’t spit you out until you turn the last page. "Gaspar came running and before she knew it, he was standing next to her, staring, as she was at Colm’s empty bed"(162). Hackett ends chapter 19 with this sentence. While you know that Colm is missing, hence the empty bed, you don’t know where he’s gone. He might be eating a snack, or actually gone. Hackett ends many of her chapters with a cliffhanger, others simply just with a sense of closure. Either way she ends the chapters, you just cannot put the book down, because the book is so touching, and the story line never drags.
When I showed my friends this book, they saw the word “heaven”, and looked at me and went: “uh…. Interesting…” Contrary to what your first impressions may be, I can tell you that if you are turning away form this book because of the word “heaven”, you might want to reconsider. This book is not only about a search for heaven, or an afterlife, it’s about searching for meaning, and hope, and it’s amazing because of how well the characters are described, and how as a result, you feel compassion for them, and you just can’t turn away. It’s also stunning because of how you finish the book, not with a new view on religion, but instead on what life is about, and what it means to live. The main character Colm, dies unexpectedly several times, but rises every time. No one expects to die, but for him, it’s a fact of his everyday life. It’s captivating because of how Hackett draws you in and holds you there. Proof of Heaven is indeed, the teensiest bit depressing, but also hopeful. Depressing in the sense where you begin to develop an aching pain for Colm, as he tries to prove to himself that he will go to heaven after he dies, something that we often try to convince ourselves. I’d say that this book if for anyone who doesn’t mind a sappy novel here and then, but wants a realistic one for a change. This book is easy to relate to, because it centers on ideas and questions that almost every person faced at one point in their life, whether they were young or old.
March 24, 2021
Well, I learned how to pronounce the name “Colm,” which I had been mispronouncing all these years (it’s like the word “column”, not “comb” with an ‘l’ in the middle). There’s a lot of talk about faith in this novel about a single mother raising a son with an incurable condition. The mother, Cathleen, had grown up Catholic, rejected it for a time, and then returned to her faith when the father of her unborn child deserted them both. Cathleen’s brother, Sean, once felt called to be a priest, but when their mother died, he was unmoored, became an alcoholic with a deep cynicism about God. The doctor to whom Cathleen brings Sean, Gaspar Basu, is from India. He, too, has rejected his Hindu faith when his wife committed suicide after their young son died. Colm himself has decided that God isn’t real and that the only thing he desperately wants before he dies is to see his father, whom he has built up in his mind as one who would love him if only they could meet. All this adds up to a road trip from east to west coast with these four main characters, each having their own fears about Colm’s condition, the impact of him possibly meeting his father, and what part faith has to play in any of this.
It was a compelling story, to be sure, but in the end, I was a little disappointed in how malleable and undefined “faith” ended up being. It seemed very subjective, based on the feelings of each of the main characters, rather than being something that was objectively true. God is who we want him to be; the afterlife is what we want it to be. That’s not very comforting, even if it has a temporary appeal.
It was a compelling story, to be sure, but in the end, I was a little disappointed in how malleable and undefined “faith” ended up being. It seemed very subjective, based on the feelings of each of the main characters, rather than being something that was objectively true. God is who we want him to be; the afterlife is what we want it to be. That’s not very comforting, even if it has a temporary appeal.
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