Genevieve: Based on a True Story of Pain, Perseverance, and Triumph

by Mary Laurienti, Jerry Laurienti

The irony of disease is that it often strikes the right person, not because she deserves to suffer or is unlucky, but because she can endure it. The deeper irony is that she is typically the one person who serves as a source of strength for those around her of lesser fortitude. Genevieve is a historical novel about Genevieve Patrick’s trials with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the death of her unborn child, and her triumph over the disease's damning impact on three generations of family. The novel takes place between 1937 and 1948, traversing Great Depression and World War II events that frame Genevieve’s struggle with MS. The novel is based on a true story and includes short interludes of biographical nonfiction commentary from the author.When Gen is stricken with MS at age 25—newly married and pregnant—she musters the inner strength to bounce back to near normalcy only to suffer a debilitating MS attack several years later, an event that forces her husband, parents, a sibling, and the Church to fiercely debate and choose the fate of her unborn child. Near death, Gen endures an interstate voyage in the bed of her father’s truck to undergo surgery that ultimately terminates her pregnancy but saves her life. Faced with a multi-year recovery, a strained marriage over the loss of her child, a husband drafted into military service, and the dispersal of her three children with family members, Gen relies on nothing more than her unyielding character to mend literal and figurative wounds, rebuilding her life and the lives of those around her.

Genres: Historical Fiction

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2013

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biography of a woman written by her daughter and grandson. Genevieve was 25 y.o. and in her first trimester of her first pregnancy when she was struck with Multiple Sclerosis. This was in the 1930's when little was known about M.S. She was unconscious for a period of time and had a very long recovery. She did carry the pregnancy to term and had a heathy baby boy. She had a few uneventful years with only a few residuals, mainly blurry vision, left from the M.S. attack. When she was pregnant with her 4th child she had another very severe attack which left her unconscious for months, and involved a prolonged recovery that lasted a few years. She went on to recover but was left with residual deficits in vision and ambulation but lived a relatively normal life through the 50's and 60's as a mother and wife. The story covers primarily the first 10 years of her life with M.S. In the1970's she began having attacks again and ended up eventually in a wheelchair. Her marriage remained strong, se and her husband celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. When she died in her 80's she had lived longer than any other person with M.S. She sounds like the kind of person I would have liked to have known.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the story is intriguing and heartfelt, the writing is lacking and does the subject a disservice. There are entirely too many minute details in the book.

The overarching story has the potential to make a good book. Genevieve, the main character, discovers she has MS around the 1930s. She and her family learn how to live with MS while dealing with day to day family issues. She often used the phrase "Mr./Mrs. Can't never tried," to encourage her children to try. She conquered many things in her life.

Unfortunately the editor did a disservice to the author and did not cut out the minutiae.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to know Gen, though I was too young to understand her triumphs. I fondly remember visiting her as a child & she always insisted on spoiling me with treats & she was always so lively & animated. She always made me laugh. Every time I would visit her, I would eagerly anticipate her opening that hall closet which is where she stored building blocks! Even as a child, I could feel her passion & enthusiasm for life! It is obvious to me after reading her story, that her zeal for life was knowing everyday was a gift!

[Kathy DeShong · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Genevieve: Based on a true story of pain, perseverance and triumph" by Mary Laurienti was a predictable, and slow paced novel based on the sad situation of the author's Mother, Gen. It was sad and she made the best of her plight, but it still was slow. It's difficult to write about something exciting when Gen is living in her own hell and making the best of it. I have friends with MS and it is an insidious disease but they experience their exacerbations and remissions and keep persevering on.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't remember how I came across this book, but the reason I purchased it is because someone in our family has MS. I know everyone who has MS suffer though different things in many different ways but I was interested to hear this story and learn more about the illness. The story was very good and kept me interested throughout. I laughed and I cried reading this book. A good read for sure.

[Janet Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

True story as told by Genevieve's daughter about a strong woman who was stricken with MS as a young wife and how she managed to raise her children and take care of her family with the horrible disease as it progressed even more in her middle years.

[Fran Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story.

Very nice story. Would have been better had it been effectively proofread for correct usage of words as well as for spelling. Unfortunately, the obvious errors distracted from the story.

[Lori Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

this is a great true story of struggles, love, and family. the strength of this family is unbelievable. highly recommend