Parentheses: A Memoir of My Life Before, During and After My Death

by Fredrick Swan

Two days before he would die from a cardiac arrest and be resuscitated following a routine medical procedure, Fred Swan wrote a skeptical prayer in a journal. Discouraged and depressed he asked the Universe, he asked a “higher power” that he might wake from his upcoming procedure a “changed man, a man with a differing view” of his life. Days later a physician cautioned his family, “Before we start worrying about how he will climb the stairs, let us first determine if he has brain function.” A portion of Swan’s sight and his ability to comprehend the passage of time did not accompany his eventual journey back up the hill to his house. Ten months later the same physician that had both saved his life and cautioned Swan’s family about the potential of brain damage, was summoned to perform open heart surgery on Swan’s wife.

A story of childhood, a story of aging, Parentheses sensitively explores a life on the other side of a “miracle,” a life on the other side of the “light,” where all things are not clear and peaceful, where all truths, all insight has not been revealed.

This beautifully constructed and experimental memoir provides a rare and sensitive glimpse into the heart and the mind of a man as he searches through his troubled childhood, his quest as an adult to meet a birth parent, his life as a father and a husband, his questions about the existence of God and the psychological debris left from a catastrophic physical event.

Parentheses: My Life Before, During and After My Death, is a story of hope and a story of the resiliency of the human spirit. It takes a journalistic, introspective and spirited path that will resonate with readers who, despite the enormous losses and challenges we all eventually encounter, continue to hope and who continue to aspire to use to the fullest any day and any potential they are given.

385 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2014

About the author

Fredrick Swan is an artist and an author whose career has encompassed
years of working as a child and family counselor, an individual therapist
and serving as a field instructor at a graduate school of social work.

Aware that he is one of the few people on earth who has lived to explore the meaning of their own death in the context of their life, he is currently writing a blog to help others reimagine their lives.

He writes and paints beside a creek just outside the diverse river port city of Portland, Oregon. The father of four, his art work and blog can be found at www.fredrickswan.com.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an advanced reader copy of Parentheses, a memoir of an average human, experiencing an almost unheard of miracle. In this honest and brave portrayal, Swan, leads us on a journey thru two life changing events and in doing so, holds up a mirror to our own lives. The unique language gives the reader a new perception of time with which to view expectation, fear, and passion. Rarely has a book had so much impact on my daily life, and changed, positively, my definitions of love, family, and the liquid nature of hope and miracles.

[Patti Helander · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I both read an advance copy of this book. The book is a very intimate look into the life of the author. Neither my husband or I could imagine what is must have been like to have your doctors and all of the nurses involved say that you had died during a routine procedure. The author's way of telling his story of before his death, during and after his death is wonderful. But in the end, the book was a true love story between the author and his wife Kathy and his complete devotion to her. A really good read.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that PARENTHESES: A MEMOIR OF MY LIFE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER MY DEATH by Fredrick Swan is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Fredrick Swan]

Review by Diane Donovan Senior Reviewer Mid West Book Reviews, May Issue
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/...

[June Hyjek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Fred Swan’s book, “Parentheses,” is about his near-death experience and miraculous recovery, I found this heart-warming and thoughtful story to be less about how he nearly died and more about how he chose to live. After a fairly routine surgery, Fred experienced major complications and “died.” CPR was performed for a significant amount of time, much longer than most medical staff would normally ever try because of the high risk of brain function damage. But they did try, and they succeeded, leaving Fred viewing his life and the world differently – something he prophesied and asked God for before the surgery. Fred was left with the inability to determine and understand the passage of time – a difficult concept in our linear and sequential world! His story is written from this perspective, with flashbacks and changes of direction, as he draws from his childhood and relationships to form connections with his current experience – seemingly random, but with continued underlying purpose. While this seemed a little difficult at first to follow, I soon was able to appreciate his style in doling out the story, especially when I realized that this is how Fred experiences time and life. I willingly became a patient reader, surrendering to this masterful storyteller. Fred’s writing style is exquisite, with beautifully chosen words, unique turns of phrase, descriptions that awe, and metaphors that inspire. Sure, he tells us what it’s like to almost die, but I came away seeing that’s dying is not what his story is about. He shares not only what happened, but his wisdom and insights gained along the way.

While his story and experience was truly a difficult period in his life and one that brought lessons and struggles, Fred shows that it was just that – one chapter that did not change, determine or define his life. It was, as he puts it, a part of his life that is simply in “parentheses.”

Brilliantly told, this story will inspire you to do what Fred asked for himself – to see your world and your life differently.

[Veronica Esagui · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I opened Parentheses by Frederick Swan was page 27, I just wanted to have a glimpse of how it read. The paragraph I read made me realize that if I missed reading the first 27 pages I would be missing one of the greatest literary works I had ever read. I put the book in my purse and took it on a weekend trip to Eugene. I didn’t speed-read as I tend to do when I’m too busy. I read it slow. I read it with gusto. I read it like a leech lingering on each page, absorbing Mr. Swan narration, a rich world of description that takes in consideration all the senses. This very special quality that writers strive to develop called substantive writing is masterfully accomplished in Parentheses. This book is not just about beating death. It’s about the inner strength of our souls. It’s not about second chances. It’s about opening our eyes and seeing the light within the darkness and realizing what more can anyone want than what we already have every day of our lives. Parentheses is an inspirational book, but do not expect a self-pity kind of book, do not expect a sorrowful person writing a memoir about his suffering, this is a literary accomplishment of self-discovery. If you want to experience reading a book that deserves a Pulitzer or a Nobel Prize, read Parentheses by Frederick Sawn.

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the first few chapters and just couldn't get into it. I understand that the author has overcome tremendous difficulty to write this story and he does not comprehend time in the same way I do anymore, but this book was just too hard for me to follow. I am sad that I did not like it more. The first chapter was really confusing in jumping back and forth in time and place and explaining several things at once, but I guess it is an insight to the author's viewpoint of life and the chapter's title is called "Pile of Time," so I tried to keep reading. I feel this book is very disjointed and could benefit from a great editor to help it have more of a progressive flow. It doesn't need to be chronological exactly but it seemed every paragraph began a new story or inserted a random deep thought and the story didn't move along enough to keep my interest. Once I hit the F-word about three chapters in, I decided to put it down. I believe it has potential to entertain and/or inspire some people, but it isn't the book for me. I will rate it 2.5 stars and round up, knowing that I did not see it through to the end.

[Jean Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Parentheses, Swan offers more than the simple recounting of a medical miracle, a powerful story on its own. He uses his artist sensibilities and delightfully subtle wit to create a story of our human capacity to triumph over challenges, even when we don't recognize the challenges or the triumphs. I found myself taking notes and rereading some of his many hard-earned insights, one of my favorites, "certainty is the most vulnerable of anyone's beliefs." I highly recommend this book to…well, to everyone.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazingly heartfelt story was incredibly inspirational. The ability the author had to draw you in to his life, created a feeling of being submerged in his own personal experiences. His reflection on these events made it relatable to one's own life journey, and offered guidance in looking back on the past and thinking forward to the future. The landmarks throughout the book guide you down a road of thought-provoking questions and take you through a gamut of emotions. At the end, you walk away with a new perspective on life, and how lucky we are for each moment we are given.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a powerful book. It took me awhile to read this one because there is a lot of material, but definitely worth it. I was moved by the real life experiences of this author and I thought it showed a wonderful reminder that life isn't as simple or as perfect or as "on-track" as we would like it to be. I commend the author for writing such a personal journey.
A good read for those who are interested in memoirs or other autobiographies.
I won this book through goodreads first reads giveaway

[Dsherman]

Parentheses is a book of love, family devotion, friendship and a major medical miracle. A remarkable telling of a remarkable story. A story for all types of readers. Swan's honesty about his difficult childhood, his struggles to fit in, the support of his family and his incredible medical recovery, bring lessons to all ages.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad to have won a copy . It looks extremely interesting and I cant wait to READ AND REVIEW IT!