The Story of Us

by Marcia Preston

"Sometimes the dreams were unspeakably sweet -Nathan as a little boy, full of energy. Then she'd wake to the crashing knowledge of his violent death and it was like losing him again."After the tragic death of her son, Nathan, Claire lost her reason for living. However, with the discovery of a forgotten letter, Claire feels she's been given a chance to reconnect with her child.According to the letter, the man who received her son's heart is a happily married father-to-be. Perhaps if she could meet him and his family, Nathan's death would finally have some meaning...This is a searing novel about love, loss and the strange and unexpected ways we connect with others.

Genres: Family

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2011

About the author

Marcia Preston (M.K. Preston) grew up on a wheat farm in central Oklahoma. From her father she learned the art of storytelling; from her mother, a reverence for books; and from Oklahoma's red earth, a love of wildlife and the outdoors.

Reviews

[Liz Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off thinking I wasn't going to like it, but then got caught up with the plot and the characters. Interesting read. Reminiscent of Jodi Picoult in its treatment of an ethical / medical situation.

[Diane Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read 'The Butterfly House' by Marcia Preston and loved it. What would you do if your only son was involved in a fatal accident and his heart gives life to another. Grieving is taking its toll and she knows she needs to move on.

This is the story of Claire who finds a letter she put aside after her son was killed. It was from the wife of the man who received her son's heart. She decides to follow this up and goes out of her way to see if she can find out more about him without him knowing. This takes her on a journey she isn't sure of how she will react if she does find him. Should she meet with him and tell him that he has something that means so much to her.

Mason McKinnon is a musician and she tracks him down, but his life has changed and she doesn't like the way he is living his life and not looking after her son's heart. The tale continues and she eventually takes on the challenge of making him see sense and improving his health, stop smoking etc. which she can't understand why he should do this having been given an second chance with a new heart. Their relationship is a rocky one but slowly Mason comes round to her way of thinking and eventually he begins to see sense.

There are other characters too, Hob, the man responsible for the fatal accident, and the guilt he has carried around. Win, Claire's ex husband. Her friends back home who worry about her and what she is attempting to find out. I found this a touching read of love, loss, grieving and having to let go and moving on with life, but also finding love again through time. It made me wonder how on earth one would cope if this were to happen to a beloved child of your own.

[Amal Jamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting over the death of somebody who's dearly loved is very difficult that it requires great willpower to overcome the never-ending sadness. Nathan's mom finds the man who receives Nathan's heart wasting his life like he doesn't appreciate what has been donated to him; her son's vital organ. The hardwork that the mother puts on (spying on the man, making sure that he doesn't smoke & eat healthily, enjoying his life better by pursuing his interest in life; playing the violin again) is only to make sure that her son's heart is used well.

In life, we have to remind ourselves that our health, wealth, happiness & well-being might not stay with us forever. To live our life to the fullest is to live safely & be prepared for the worst thing that could happen. Appreciate the pleasures that God gives us & be thankful, every day.

[Nathalie Enda Zileta Depari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite love the idea of the story: a mom who look for a person who has her son's heart. But i find this book has too many plots and figures with no strong point in it. Hob with what he did caused Nathan's death, Lindsey with her love life, Win with his regretness, Claire's brother death, Claire's father life... I'm quite sure it will be a good story if the author make it as series movie or so. It will be more interesting to focus on Claire and Mason (or maybe Win). I don't see any point to tell the reader such a long story about Lindsey, for example (well it's interesting but I just don't see the point).
But anyway, I like this book. And also the thema. Thank you for writing it :)

[Janeen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok book. I found it quite unrealistic...especially the second half of the book in Santa Fe. The author could have improved the depth of the main character as well. She seemed a little shallow.

[Rosslyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about coming to terms with the death of a child. It is full of understanding and insight though not as enthralling as the Butterfly house.