Grace Period: A Novel

by Gerald W. Haslam

Grace Period is a novel about living with serious illness. Set in the cultural and natural riches of Sacramento and California's Central Valley, it is the story of two divorced, middle-aged cancer survivors, Marty Martinez and Miranda Mossi, who fall in love and resolve to make the most of whatever remains of their lives.
The story begins when Mexican American journalist Marty thinks his life can't get any his beloved son has died of AIDS, his wife has divorced him and joined a cult, his daughter blames him for the disintegration of her parents' marriage, and he is estranged from his brothers and sisters. Then a chance medical examination reveals that he has prostate cancer.
Marty faces his bewildering new role as a cancer patient with awkward grit and touching desperation. He copes with fear and the painful, sometimes embarrassing, treatment of his disease, but instead of winding down his life he finds fresh purpose. He renews his faith in a Catholic Church as troubled as he is, and he meets Miranda, another cancer survivor, and falls in love. He brings new intensity to his newspaper career as he investigates far-reaching political scandals and pedophile priests. And he finds the courage to face his siblings and his angry daughter and to reunite the family.

300 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2006

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the first book in a LONG time whose ending made me want to cry. The main protagonist is living with prostate cancer and his wife is dying of breast cancer. It sounds very depressing, but it surprisingly uplifted me. The story is tender and loving, but realistic and pragmatic and smart. I plan to keep this book so I can reread it for hope and strength when I get older and quite likely will be experiencing the death and deterioration of my loved ones as well as that of my own body. I recommend this novel to anyone. It is packed full of other interesting stuff, too – the protagonist is a Mexican-American journalist and he’s also Catholic. Lots of interesting hot button topics.

[Robin O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a look into the love of two people and the pain of dealing with chronic illness. I would recommend this book to every person middle age and older. It is a rare gem of lives journey.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've been told his short story collection is pretty great, but this novel reads like a self-help book. I think he let the topic (prostate cancer) get in the way of the writing.