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Between Two Eternities
It’s the early 1970s, a time before cell phones, computers, and e-mail—a time when tenderness trumps technology. Robert and Marcie Silver are young and even more in love than they were when they married nine years ago. He’s caught up in the intrigue of academic politics at New York City’s Seward College, where he teaches English literature and is hoping to earn tenure.
She, at home, is caught up in taking care of their two adorable children while she tries to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming an illustrator of children’s books. There are struggles, but love and high spirits have always seen them through. Life is good, and it seems them that it can only get better.
Then Marcie begins to suffer from nausea, fatigue, headaches. At first, they think she may be pregnant again. When this proves false, she visits their internist, who identifies the condition as anemia combined with young-mother fatigue. The diagnosis appears to be correct, for the symptoms disappear before very long, and Robert and Marcie take off with the children for summer in a rented cottage at the beach. It’s an idyllic interval of brilliant sun and cool ocean breezes, of frolicking with the children by day and hand-in-hand strolls in the moonlight at night. In between, Robert labors on the book he must write to gain tenure, and Marcie works at her easel on the winsome paintings that are bound to bring her recognition as an artist. All seems to be right with their world once again. Until Marcie’s symptoms return.
Back home in Brooklyn, the doctor sends Marcie to the hospital for two long days of tests. Still puzzled, he adds another day of tests. Specialists are brought in for in-depth consultations. Then Robert is summoned to the doctor’s office, where he receives the heart-shattering Marcie has an inoperable brain tumor. Her life will be over in less than a year. The doctor has told Robert first so that Robert can be better prepared to help Marcie when she learns the devastating contents of his report.
But Robert cannot bear to let Marcie know the truth. There was so much he had longed to give her, things that will now and forever be impossible. The least he can do is make her last days happy and free from the knowledge that death is hovering over her. Despite the doctor’s strong objections, Robert insists that Marcie be given a false and hopeful diagnosis.
And so begins the spinning of the web of love lies. How long will Robert be able to keep Marcie entwined in it? She is a bright and curious woman. As her symptoms intensify, will she search for, and find, the truth on her own? And if she does, how will she react to the truth? And react to Robert, who has been hiding it from her? And how long will it be before Robert begins to feel strangled within his web of deception?
Between Two Eternities is the heartrending story of a young husband’s struggle to protect his wife from a terrible truth, and then of their desperate search to find together the courage to live with it. It is the haunting account of their quest for answers to life’s most painful questions. And it is the unforgettable chronicle of the breathless romance that comes to mean more than life itself—and that suddenly demands the ultimate sacrifice from both of them.
“The facts are cold; the story that unravels is warm and extremely moving... Brett handles it impeccably.”—Publishers Weekly
“This is one book that everyone should read to understand that time is short and we need to live and love life to the fullest because you just never know. Author Barbara Brett presents many issues that so many will debate after reading this heartbreaking and enlightening novel. Some portraits will change and others we know will last for eternity if just in our hearts and minds.”
--Fran Lewis, Just Reviews
She, at home, is caught up in taking care of their two adorable children while she tries to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming an illustrator of children’s books. There are struggles, but love and high spirits have always seen them through. Life is good, and it seems them that it can only get better.
Then Marcie begins to suffer from nausea, fatigue, headaches. At first, they think she may be pregnant again. When this proves false, she visits their internist, who identifies the condition as anemia combined with young-mother fatigue. The diagnosis appears to be correct, for the symptoms disappear before very long, and Robert and Marcie take off with the children for summer in a rented cottage at the beach. It’s an idyllic interval of brilliant sun and cool ocean breezes, of frolicking with the children by day and hand-in-hand strolls in the moonlight at night. In between, Robert labors on the book he must write to gain tenure, and Marcie works at her easel on the winsome paintings that are bound to bring her recognition as an artist. All seems to be right with their world once again. Until Marcie’s symptoms return.
Back home in Brooklyn, the doctor sends Marcie to the hospital for two long days of tests. Still puzzled, he adds another day of tests. Specialists are brought in for in-depth consultations. Then Robert is summoned to the doctor’s office, where he receives the heart-shattering Marcie has an inoperable brain tumor. Her life will be over in less than a year. The doctor has told Robert first so that Robert can be better prepared to help Marcie when she learns the devastating contents of his report.
But Robert cannot bear to let Marcie know the truth. There was so much he had longed to give her, things that will now and forever be impossible. The least he can do is make her last days happy and free from the knowledge that death is hovering over her. Despite the doctor’s strong objections, Robert insists that Marcie be given a false and hopeful diagnosis.
And so begins the spinning of the web of love lies. How long will Robert be able to keep Marcie entwined in it? She is a bright and curious woman. As her symptoms intensify, will she search for, and find, the truth on her own? And if she does, how will she react to the truth? And react to Robert, who has been hiding it from her? And how long will it be before Robert begins to feel strangled within his web of deception?
Between Two Eternities is the heartrending story of a young husband’s struggle to protect his wife from a terrible truth, and then of their desperate search to find together the courage to live with it. It is the haunting account of their quest for answers to life’s most painful questions. And it is the unforgettable chronicle of the breathless romance that comes to mean more than life itself—and that suddenly demands the ultimate sacrifice from both of them.
“The facts are cold; the story that unravels is warm and extremely moving... Brett handles it impeccably.”—Publishers Weekly
“This is one book that everyone should read to understand that time is short and we need to live and love life to the fullest because you just never know. Author Barbara Brett presents many issues that so many will debate after reading this heartbreaking and enlightening novel. Some portraits will change and others we know will last for eternity if just in our hearts and minds.”
--Fran Lewis, Just Reviews
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First published April 1, 2000
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About the author
Barbara Brett
6 books3 followersBarbara Brett’s lively and colorful publishing career includes stints as a proofreader for Esquire magazine and as the meat-and-poultry editor of a trade magazine. For several years she was the editor of, consecutively, True Romance and True Confessions magazines, the nation’s leading confession publications. During this time, she began writing mainstream novels, and after the publication of two of them, Between Two Eternities and Love After Hours, she was named vice president and publisher of Thomas Bouregy & Company, where she oversaw the company’s hardcover fiction line for libraries, Avalon Books, and its softcover reprints of the classics, Airmont Classics. In 1993 she left to establish her own publishing company, devoted to hardcover inspirational nonfiction. The first book she published was the international bestseller Where Angels Walk by Joan Wester Anderson, which was on The New York Times bestseller list for over a year and has sold over two million copies.
Time constraints forced Barbara to give up her writing after first joining Bouregy and later running her own company. No longer willing to make that sacrifice, she has now closed her company and is returning to what has always been her first love—writing. Converting Between Two Eternities, which was originally published by Avon Books, into an e-book is her first labor of love. She plans to follow it with her other novels, and she hopes that you will watch for the e-book debuts of Love After Hours, Sizzle, and Promises to Keep,which she wrote with her husband, Hy Brett. In the meantime and in-between time, she is hard at work on a new novel.
Time constraints forced Barbara to give up her writing after first joining Bouregy and later running her own company. No longer willing to make that sacrifice, she has now closed her company and is returning to what has always been her first love—writing. Converting Between Two Eternities, which was originally published by Avon Books, into an e-book is her first labor of love. She plans to follow it with her other novels, and she hopes that you will watch for the e-book debuts of Love After Hours, Sizzle, and Promises to Keep,which she wrote with her husband, Hy Brett. In the meantime and in-between time, she is hard at work on a new novel.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 28, 2013
Between Two Eternities
Barbara Brett
The portrait of a family should include all of its members. Each one distinctly painted, colors vividly depicted and smiles beaming at their unknown audience as each face has its own expression that they want to leave when they are gone. But, portraits as is life never last forever, as the paint fades, the colors blend and the faces that were once young have aged and the final scene that many see after so many years differs from the original But, what happens when one member in this portrait is caught or blindsided by fate, has no idea that the next painting will not have their image or face and the world as they knew it and would see for just a short time is about to come to an end? Between Two Eternities will leave readers with many ethical questions, debates that some have had over the issues brought to light in this novel and unanswered questions that many would have liked to ask the characters themselves.
Robert and Marcie Silver lived what they thought was an idyllic life. Not rich but comfortable Robert a college professor and Marcie an artist in her own right. Hoping to create illustrations for Bambi every child’s favorite storybook little does Marcie know that her life span as some might say has not been cut short but is complete. Although only 32 and the mother of two children we do not decide how much time we have on earth but it is up to each one of us to use it wisely, embrace the good times and manage to hard ones. Some feel that death is more than just losing a spouse and a mother. Understanding that “no life can be cut short before it is complete, that death, evil and tragedy are all a part of living,” can be difficult to comprehend. When Marcie starts to feel tired, looks pale and finds it hard to function she ignores the symptoms and feels that it might be a virus that will eventually go away. As we meet her and Robert attending a function of one of his faculty members, we learn to what lengths she will go in order to help Robert attain tenure, deal with some difficult people and even handle one that would like more than just his attention. Dictionary.com defines eternity as: “infinite time; duration without beginning or end. Eternal existence, especially as contrasted with mortal life: the eternity of God.
Theology: the timeless state into which the soul passes at a person's death.” But, Marcie and Robert faced more than just understanding the meaning of eternity or everlasting. Robert faced and made a decision that brings to light what the role of a doctor is when having to tell a patient they are terminal. As we get to know Dr. Halpern he seems callous, cold and not accessible nor is his partner. Almost like trying to avoid the inevitable and when he does the conversation between him and Robert just might leave the reader cold. An inoperable brain tumor with no chance of survival told to him by her internist. Claiming that his best neuro men looked at the results and gave him the final diagnosis still should have sent Robert elsewhere looking for answers but it did not as Dr. Halpern convinced him that all roads would lead back to him. But, what happens next is totally questionable as Robert demands and pleads that Marcie not be told. This is where ethics comes into play and where her final wishes if she had a Living Will or DNR should have been respected.
Told she had a virus and not really concerned Robert began noticing little changes within her and rather than face them what he does will surprise the reader as their closeness was one thing that most thought would never falter and the temptations placed in front of him should have been ignored. But, being what some say is only human what happens creates more than just a wide rift between him and Marcie. His children are so precious and her mother so supportive yet no one seems to realize what is happening to Marcie and Robert is hiding from the truth, as you will learn from his actions.
Marcie is astute, resourceful and definitely one to be trifled with as a major outburst that she cannot explain or control sends her to finding out what is wrong with her and as the doctor states: all roads led back to him. So, what happens when the lies, truths and falsehoods come out and how do they deal with the final outcome? Robert and Marcie are special and when she learns the truth they decide to live life to the fullest, take chances and enjoy the time they had. With the help of her courageous mother, her two children and one special weekend Marcie will get to not only live out a special dream but hopefully enjoy her time on earth.
With references to the Torah and definitions that will help the reader understand more we learn that there are two kinds of immortality: “ there’s the finite kind right here on earth, where we live on in the hearts and memories of those who loved us; there’s the infinite kind, where our souls return to God, who created them.” The reader learns more about the traditions the author shares and the feelings of both characters, Robert and Marcie come through loud and clear as each one voices his/her thoughts about the final outcome. As Marcie comes full circle with her feelings, her final wishes expressed quite clearly will Robert respect what she says. When trying to give her a special weekend the thoughts that are shared will bring tears to your eyes and hope that some kind of miracle will occur. But, truths are told, facts are real and the end result you will have to decide for yourself whether you agree with the final outcome. Do you respect the wishes of someone even when they are given verbally and not written down? What are the rights of the patient? What are the rights of the family? What role do the doctors and nurses have? Why did all of the medical personnel seem so cold and unfeeling? What happens when people need compassion? What happens when one man is torn between two eternities? This is one book that everyone should read to understand that time is short and we need to live and love life to the fullest because you just never know. Author Barbara Brett presents many issues that so many will debate after reading this heartbreaking and enlightening novel. Some portraits will change and others we know will last for eternity if just in our hearts and minds.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Barbara Brett
The portrait of a family should include all of its members. Each one distinctly painted, colors vividly depicted and smiles beaming at their unknown audience as each face has its own expression that they want to leave when they are gone. But, portraits as is life never last forever, as the paint fades, the colors blend and the faces that were once young have aged and the final scene that many see after so many years differs from the original But, what happens when one member in this portrait is caught or blindsided by fate, has no idea that the next painting will not have their image or face and the world as they knew it and would see for just a short time is about to come to an end? Between Two Eternities will leave readers with many ethical questions, debates that some have had over the issues brought to light in this novel and unanswered questions that many would have liked to ask the characters themselves.
Robert and Marcie Silver lived what they thought was an idyllic life. Not rich but comfortable Robert a college professor and Marcie an artist in her own right. Hoping to create illustrations for Bambi every child’s favorite storybook little does Marcie know that her life span as some might say has not been cut short but is complete. Although only 32 and the mother of two children we do not decide how much time we have on earth but it is up to each one of us to use it wisely, embrace the good times and manage to hard ones. Some feel that death is more than just losing a spouse and a mother. Understanding that “no life can be cut short before it is complete, that death, evil and tragedy are all a part of living,” can be difficult to comprehend. When Marcie starts to feel tired, looks pale and finds it hard to function she ignores the symptoms and feels that it might be a virus that will eventually go away. As we meet her and Robert attending a function of one of his faculty members, we learn to what lengths she will go in order to help Robert attain tenure, deal with some difficult people and even handle one that would like more than just his attention. Dictionary.com defines eternity as: “infinite time; duration without beginning or end. Eternal existence, especially as contrasted with mortal life: the eternity of God.
Theology: the timeless state into which the soul passes at a person's death.” But, Marcie and Robert faced more than just understanding the meaning of eternity or everlasting. Robert faced and made a decision that brings to light what the role of a doctor is when having to tell a patient they are terminal. As we get to know Dr. Halpern he seems callous, cold and not accessible nor is his partner. Almost like trying to avoid the inevitable and when he does the conversation between him and Robert just might leave the reader cold. An inoperable brain tumor with no chance of survival told to him by her internist. Claiming that his best neuro men looked at the results and gave him the final diagnosis still should have sent Robert elsewhere looking for answers but it did not as Dr. Halpern convinced him that all roads would lead back to him. But, what happens next is totally questionable as Robert demands and pleads that Marcie not be told. This is where ethics comes into play and where her final wishes if she had a Living Will or DNR should have been respected.
Told she had a virus and not really concerned Robert began noticing little changes within her and rather than face them what he does will surprise the reader as their closeness was one thing that most thought would never falter and the temptations placed in front of him should have been ignored. But, being what some say is only human what happens creates more than just a wide rift between him and Marcie. His children are so precious and her mother so supportive yet no one seems to realize what is happening to Marcie and Robert is hiding from the truth, as you will learn from his actions.
Marcie is astute, resourceful and definitely one to be trifled with as a major outburst that she cannot explain or control sends her to finding out what is wrong with her and as the doctor states: all roads led back to him. So, what happens when the lies, truths and falsehoods come out and how do they deal with the final outcome? Robert and Marcie are special and when she learns the truth they decide to live life to the fullest, take chances and enjoy the time they had. With the help of her courageous mother, her two children and one special weekend Marcie will get to not only live out a special dream but hopefully enjoy her time on earth.
With references to the Torah and definitions that will help the reader understand more we learn that there are two kinds of immortality: “ there’s the finite kind right here on earth, where we live on in the hearts and memories of those who loved us; there’s the infinite kind, where our souls return to God, who created them.” The reader learns more about the traditions the author shares and the feelings of both characters, Robert and Marcie come through loud and clear as each one voices his/her thoughts about the final outcome. As Marcie comes full circle with her feelings, her final wishes expressed quite clearly will Robert respect what she says. When trying to give her a special weekend the thoughts that are shared will bring tears to your eyes and hope that some kind of miracle will occur. But, truths are told, facts are real and the end result you will have to decide for yourself whether you agree with the final outcome. Do you respect the wishes of someone even when they are given verbally and not written down? What are the rights of the patient? What are the rights of the family? What role do the doctors and nurses have? Why did all of the medical personnel seem so cold and unfeeling? What happens when people need compassion? What happens when one man is torn between two eternities? This is one book that everyone should read to understand that time is short and we need to live and love life to the fullest because you just never know. Author Barbara Brett presents many issues that so many will debate after reading this heartbreaking and enlightening novel. Some portraits will change and others we know will last for eternity if just in our hearts and minds.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
January 26, 2024
Since "Love Story" had already been written, there was no reason for this poor imitation.
June 6, 2013
BETWEEN TWO ETERNITIES by BARBARA BRETT * * * * *
People lie for various reasons: to protect themselves, to make them seem larger or smaller than they are, or because they're afraid to tell the truth. Robert Silver's reason is simple and humane: he lies to keep his wife, Marcie, alive.
Robert and Marcie Silver seem to have, if not a perfect life, then something pretty close to it. Robert's on the fast track to becoming a professor of English in a Manhattan college and Marcie, a stay-at-home mom with two children, is slowly putting herself on a path to part-time success as an illustrator of children's books.
And that's where BETWEEN TWO ETERNITIES, begins -- a loving couple with dreams and hopes for the future until Robert is told by the doctor that his beloved Marcie's headaches are symptoms of a much more serious nature: Marcie is dying.
Barbara Brett tells us the story of a love so strong that in order to maintain that strength one person has to lie...has to keep the truth from the dying partner and, in some way, perhaps, to also protect himself from the reality of the inevitable.
Brett's skillful handling of the 1970's setting, its steadfast rules and regulations, its mores and its concept of how and when to live and die, takes us back to another time and place and Robert's final act of love -- his farewell to Marcie -- will leave you in tears but also with a sense of finality and a question: would you, could you, have done the same?
People lie for various reasons: to protect themselves, to make them seem larger or smaller than they are, or because they're afraid to tell the truth. Robert Silver's reason is simple and humane: he lies to keep his wife, Marcie, alive.
Robert and Marcie Silver seem to have, if not a perfect life, then something pretty close to it. Robert's on the fast track to becoming a professor of English in a Manhattan college and Marcie, a stay-at-home mom with two children, is slowly putting herself on a path to part-time success as an illustrator of children's books.
And that's where BETWEEN TWO ETERNITIES, begins -- a loving couple with dreams and hopes for the future until Robert is told by the doctor that his beloved Marcie's headaches are symptoms of a much more serious nature: Marcie is dying.
Barbara Brett tells us the story of a love so strong that in order to maintain that strength one person has to lie...has to keep the truth from the dying partner and, in some way, perhaps, to also protect himself from the reality of the inevitable.
Brett's skillful handling of the 1970's setting, its steadfast rules and regulations, its mores and its concept of how and when to live and die, takes us back to another time and place and Robert's final act of love -- his farewell to Marcie -- will leave you in tears but also with a sense of finality and a question: would you, could you, have done the same?
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