Saving Sebastian

by Hazel McHaffie

Time is running out for four-year-old Sebastian Zair. A rare blood disorder means that a stem-cell transplant is his only hope of surviving past childhood. His mother places her trust in the Pemberton Fertility Centre and a controversial IVF procedure which will allow her to select an embryo that is the same tissue type as Sebastian - to create a saviour sibling. But what she doesn't know is that the sword of Damocles is hanging over the Pemberton. A Nigerian couple, the Opakanjos, have just given birth to twins through IVF, but only one is their biological child. Someone has made a monumental mistake. With a major enquiry under way and pro-life campaigners on the warpath, both families are faced with agonising personal choices as well as the intrusions of an unscrupulous journalist. Will they break under the strain? Will Sebastian survive? There are very few novels which deal with the issues of contemporary medical ethics in the lively and intensely readable way which Hazel McHaffie's books do. ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH McHaffie's books are skillfully written to bring out the complex ethical issues we as doctors, nurses, patients, or relatives, may face in dealing with difficult issues... These books are a welcome development of what has been called the narrative turn in medical ethics. THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[Rachel L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy novels with multiple storylines and seeing events from different characters' perspectives. The three main plots were well orchestrated, and kept my attention. I wanted to know how events unfolded for each of the main families, and the mysterious scandal at the Center developed with just the right amount of tension.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm...
Well it sounded interesting, but the story line seemed to fall apart and the writing...it all seemed so banal - over descriptive and full of stuff that didn't move the plot along at all. I trudged through the last part, just determined to finish it. The only reason I have given it two stars, is because it did make me stop and think about the rights and wrongs of medical advancement. Not recommended at all.