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The Fraud Or Miracle #2
The Healer
When advertising executive Erica Whittaker is diagnosed with terminal cancer, western medicine fails her. The only hope left for her to survive is controversial healer Arpan. She locates the man whose touch could heal her but finds he has retired from the limelight and refuses to treat her. Erica, consumed by stage four pancreatic cancer, is desperate and desperate people are no longer logical nor are they willing to take no for an answer. Arpan has retired for good reasons, casting more than the shadow of a doubt over his abilities. So begins a journey that will challenge them both as the past threatens to catch up with him as much as with her. Can he really heal her? Can she trust him with her life? And will they both achieve what they set out to do before running out of time?
- GenresMedical Thriller
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2015
About the author
Christoph Fischer
50 books470 followersChristoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small town in West Wales. He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.
Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; 'Sebastian' in May 2013 and 'The Black Eagle Inn' in October 2013 - which completes his 'Three Nations Trilogy'. "Time to Let Go", his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions”, another contemporary novel, in October 2014. The sequel “Conditioned” was published in October 2015. His medical thriller "The Healer" was released in January 2015 and his second thriller “The Gamblers” in June 2015. He published two more historical novels “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015 and “Ludwika” in December 2015.
He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.
Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; 'Sebastian' in May 2013 and 'The Black Eagle Inn' in October 2013 - which completes his 'Three Nations Trilogy'. "Time to Let Go", his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions”, another contemporary novel, in October 2014. The sequel “Conditioned” was published in October 2015. His medical thriller "The Healer" was released in January 2015 and his second thriller “The Gamblers” in June 2015. He published two more historical novels “In Search of a Revolution” in March 2015 and “Ludwika” in December 2015.
He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
March 10, 2018
This book was a wonderful insight into the world of alternative healing and the conflict between holistic medicine and Western medicine. Maria Miller, aka Erika Whittaker, seeks out a previously famous healer, Arpan, after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Maria has already undergone chemotherapy, which has failed her, and, with a remaining life expectancy of only a few weeks, she has nothing to lose by investing her faith in Arpan. Arpan retired from healing twenty years previously and has been leading a life of austere solitude ever since. When he meets Maria, however, she is able to convince him to help her and he agrees to treat her.
Over the course of her treatment, Maria learns to face the internal fears and emotional shortcomings that Arpan believes have lead to her cancer. The descriptions of the various treatments is very detailed and convincing and I really grew to like Arpan for his goodness and forgiving nature. I became very fond of Maria too as you view the intense healing process through her eyes and almost suffer with her.
As the book progresses, the reason why Maria changed her name prior to seeking Arpan help unfolds, together with Arpan's reasons for retiring and dropping out of the public eye so many years previously.
I found The Healer to be a fast paced and well written book with a number of twists and surprises. The ending really surprised me.
I rated this book five out of five stars.
Over the course of her treatment, Maria learns to face the internal fears and emotional shortcomings that Arpan believes have lead to her cancer. The descriptions of the various treatments is very detailed and convincing and I really grew to like Arpan for his goodness and forgiving nature. I became very fond of Maria too as you view the intense healing process through her eyes and almost suffer with her.
As the book progresses, the reason why Maria changed her name prior to seeking Arpan help unfolds, together with Arpan's reasons for retiring and dropping out of the public eye so many years previously.
I found The Healer to be a fast paced and well written book with a number of twists and surprises. The ending really surprised me.
I rated this book five out of five stars.
March 27, 2015
This book is very repetitive. "Heal me!" "No, I don't want to. Fuck off." "Come on, heal me please!" "No. Eat a dick." "But but... I've got shit tons of money!" "Fine, give it to me. Now, kindly fuck off."
This book is about a healing guru who is hiding out in the country on an old farm. He has no interest in practicing medicine anymore, because he was discredited many years ago. He used to heal people for ridiculous amounts of money. He'd literally require his clients to give him half of their net worth.
Of course, this screams 'SCAM ARTIST'. But this stupid cunt, Erica, thinks he's the real deal. She's dying of cancer, and has plenty of money, and is happy to part with half of it, if this fucking hippy can actually cure her. So she seeks him out, and finds his farm only to be told ever so kindly to 'fuck off'.
Because the healer doesn't want to have anything to do with healing anymore. He's done with that shit. It got him in so much trouble in the past that he's not even the slightest bit interested in healing just one more person. But Erica is a persistent little cunt.
She argues with The Healer over and over, assuring him that she wouldn't possibly tell anyone about his magical healing powers. No, she wouldn't do that, no way. And she's some powerful ad exec who doesn't take no for an answer, so she just keeps at it, until he finally caves.
"Fine," he says. "Give me all your money. Every last fucking penny. Then maybe I'll treat you. Until I've got the cash, kindly fuck off." So she gets the cash, and he does treat her, by injecting her with his magic jizz juice. No, he doesn't actually fuck her. That would have made the story much more interesting. He just injects her with his magic jizz with a needle. Taking all the fun out of it. Fucking bastard.
But is his magic jizz really magic? Or is it just a cleverly disguised saline solution? Who's to say. But he does cure her, and she goes on her merry way, broke as fuck.
Then there's this whole conspiracy thing, about some drug company that wants to secure the rights to The Healer's magic jizz juice. But of course, he wants no part of it. So there are lawsuits and blackmail, and all sorts of sneaky business going on.
Then Erica's cancer comes back. Fucking great. Now we get to do all this shit all over again. Fuck me sideways. So no, I didn't care for this book at all. It had some interesting plot twists in the end, but it was too little too late.
The entire time reading this, all I wanted was for someone to shoot that fucking twat Erica in her goddamn face. Because that's really what she deserves. Cancer is just too good for her.
This book is about a healing guru who is hiding out in the country on an old farm. He has no interest in practicing medicine anymore, because he was discredited many years ago. He used to heal people for ridiculous amounts of money. He'd literally require his clients to give him half of their net worth.
Of course, this screams 'SCAM ARTIST'. But this stupid cunt, Erica, thinks he's the real deal. She's dying of cancer, and has plenty of money, and is happy to part with half of it, if this fucking hippy can actually cure her. So she seeks him out, and finds his farm only to be told ever so kindly to 'fuck off'.
Because the healer doesn't want to have anything to do with healing anymore. He's done with that shit. It got him in so much trouble in the past that he's not even the slightest bit interested in healing just one more person. But Erica is a persistent little cunt.
She argues with The Healer over and over, assuring him that she wouldn't possibly tell anyone about his magical healing powers. No, she wouldn't do that, no way. And she's some powerful ad exec who doesn't take no for an answer, so she just keeps at it, until he finally caves.
"Fine," he says. "Give me all your money. Every last fucking penny. Then maybe I'll treat you. Until I've got the cash, kindly fuck off." So she gets the cash, and he does treat her, by injecting her with his magic jizz juice. No, he doesn't actually fuck her. That would have made the story much more interesting. He just injects her with his magic jizz with a needle. Taking all the fun out of it. Fucking bastard.
But is his magic jizz really magic? Or is it just a cleverly disguised saline solution? Who's to say. But he does cure her, and she goes on her merry way, broke as fuck.
Then there's this whole conspiracy thing, about some drug company that wants to secure the rights to The Healer's magic jizz juice. But of course, he wants no part of it. So there are lawsuits and blackmail, and all sorts of sneaky business going on.
Then Erica's cancer comes back. Fucking great. Now we get to do all this shit all over again. Fuck me sideways. So no, I didn't care for this book at all. It had some interesting plot twists in the end, but it was too little too late.
The entire time reading this, all I wanted was for someone to shoot that fucking twat Erica in her goddamn face. Because that's really what she deserves. Cancer is just too good for her.
August 3, 2016
Because I’m a fairly prolific reader I stumble across quite a few gems on an annual basis. The Healer is among those fortunate finds and is on my shortlist of favorite books read over the last few years. Granted I’m a sucker for a tale that interweaves the spiritual and metaphysical with the earthly and mundane, but even if I weren’t, the excellent writing on display here would have sucked me in.
Our heroine, suffering from Stage 4 cancer, having exhausted all that traditional medicine can do for her, finds herself at the mercy of a faith healer, a practitioner of alternative medicine, energy medicine and Qi Gong, Reiki, and much more. But his unique abilities go far beyond his adeptness with esoteric practices; he has the gift as it were. He presents as a guru type who is a lot more than mere hype, going from the well documented success stories working with people who were never suckers for New Age medicine. Quite the opposite. They were inclined like our heroine to be entirely skeptical and to have marched their way in and out of his care with an army of scientists to demonstrate that their incurable cancer had indeed been cured. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it kinda is.
The mysterious figure who she entrusts her life to is a complex, not exactly trustworthy figure. He reminded me of the spiritual guide in the Carlos Castaneda books who can’t be taken at face value, and who may be willing to teach and heal as much through treachery, menace, misuse of power, and whatever other entirely Machiavellian measures he deems necessary. And he is a man of some ego, no shortage of moodiness. And if there is something larger than life about him, there’s also something all too painfully human about him, and not in a good way. In short, I wouldn’t want to have to trust my life to this guy. He’s quite scary. And his actual motivations for getting involved with her therapy are never entirely clear. Is he a noble ends-justifies-the-means kind of guy, capable of thus rationalizing his totally unsavory tactics? Or are his ends every bit as uninspiring as his means?
Only through reading the book and taking the heroine’s journey with her can you come to truly know the answers to these questions. And as you do just that, you experience the terror along with her, the emotional doubts and insecurities, the ups and downs, the kaleidoscope of emotions on display that is dealing with death and dying in a truly self-transformative way; a way that forces self-transcendence to some degree, win, lose, or draw. You begin to wonder early on if her anxiety attacks, the parade of misgivings and paranoid ideation are part of the intense healing of mind, body and spirit that can only be accomplished with total surrender to a spiritual master—as legends tell us. Or if they’re simply entirely sane reactions to this bizarre healer and her fears are entirely justified.
I’ve read quite a few books penned by spiritual masters, including an unusual Russian figure by the name of Gurdjieff, and P. D. Ouspensky, one of his disciples who wrote heavily about him. Students’ accounts of Gurdjieff and what it was like to deal with the man and the healer were quite similar to what our heroine undergoes with her faith healer. Does that mark him as the genuine article? Or just another nut case, to whom she’s just signed over all of her wealth and belongings? Once again, you just have to take the journey to find out, and very possibly, in taking it with her, you’ll be more than just fascinated, you’ll undergo some healing, some transformation, and some self-transcendence yourself. Which I think is very much the point in a novel of this sort.
One of the best-in-class books I’ve ever read in this sub-genre of spiritual fiction. That also goes for books on people dealing with cancer and or some other terminal illness, and struggling with the self-transformative process that implies. So, needless to say, highly recommended.
Our heroine, suffering from Stage 4 cancer, having exhausted all that traditional medicine can do for her, finds herself at the mercy of a faith healer, a practitioner of alternative medicine, energy medicine and Qi Gong, Reiki, and much more. But his unique abilities go far beyond his adeptness with esoteric practices; he has the gift as it were. He presents as a guru type who is a lot more than mere hype, going from the well documented success stories working with people who were never suckers for New Age medicine. Quite the opposite. They were inclined like our heroine to be entirely skeptical and to have marched their way in and out of his care with an army of scientists to demonstrate that their incurable cancer had indeed been cured. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it kinda is.
The mysterious figure who she entrusts her life to is a complex, not exactly trustworthy figure. He reminded me of the spiritual guide in the Carlos Castaneda books who can’t be taken at face value, and who may be willing to teach and heal as much through treachery, menace, misuse of power, and whatever other entirely Machiavellian measures he deems necessary. And he is a man of some ego, no shortage of moodiness. And if there is something larger than life about him, there’s also something all too painfully human about him, and not in a good way. In short, I wouldn’t want to have to trust my life to this guy. He’s quite scary. And his actual motivations for getting involved with her therapy are never entirely clear. Is he a noble ends-justifies-the-means kind of guy, capable of thus rationalizing his totally unsavory tactics? Or are his ends every bit as uninspiring as his means?
Only through reading the book and taking the heroine’s journey with her can you come to truly know the answers to these questions. And as you do just that, you experience the terror along with her, the emotional doubts and insecurities, the ups and downs, the kaleidoscope of emotions on display that is dealing with death and dying in a truly self-transformative way; a way that forces self-transcendence to some degree, win, lose, or draw. You begin to wonder early on if her anxiety attacks, the parade of misgivings and paranoid ideation are part of the intense healing of mind, body and spirit that can only be accomplished with total surrender to a spiritual master—as legends tell us. Or if they’re simply entirely sane reactions to this bizarre healer and her fears are entirely justified.
I’ve read quite a few books penned by spiritual masters, including an unusual Russian figure by the name of Gurdjieff, and P. D. Ouspensky, one of his disciples who wrote heavily about him. Students’ accounts of Gurdjieff and what it was like to deal with the man and the healer were quite similar to what our heroine undergoes with her faith healer. Does that mark him as the genuine article? Or just another nut case, to whom she’s just signed over all of her wealth and belongings? Once again, you just have to take the journey to find out, and very possibly, in taking it with her, you’ll be more than just fascinated, you’ll undergo some healing, some transformation, and some self-transcendence yourself. Which I think is very much the point in a novel of this sort.
One of the best-in-class books I’ve ever read in this sub-genre of spiritual fiction. That also goes for books on people dealing with cancer and or some other terminal illness, and struggling with the self-transformative process that implies. So, needless to say, highly recommended.
December 8, 2015
This story revolves around Erica, a woman diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, and the man they call The Healer, whom she seeks out in a final attempt to save her own life. The Healer works holistically with meditation, hands on healing, and with an elixir. The story proceeds with Erica's quest for a cure, and gradually into a cat and mouse, hide and seek mission. While Erica is being treated, The Healer is battling Big Pharma, who are seeking to destroy his reputation by blackmailing him for his elixir so they can capitalize on his 'cure'. He finds himself bargaining with the devil as his conscience has him worrying about the many people he, himself, can save. The story contains cover up schemes, spying, and false documentation in medical records, all courtesy of the Big Pharma while trying to get their hands on the precious elixir. Without giving away spoilers,
the question remains in the reader's mind, "Will this elixir be a great cure, or does it have any positive value without the administration of the healer?" This story will keep you eager to find out right until the very last sentence.
the question remains in the reader's mind, "Will this elixir be a great cure, or does it have any positive value without the administration of the healer?" This story will keep you eager to find out right until the very last sentence.
January 19, 2015
The Healer is a most entertaining ride. Don’t peek because the ending will leave you astounded. The characters are tangible as much as they are unique, the human emotion of loss, betrayal, despair and hope. Erica/Maria grows, suffers, heals, wins and fails as the reader is compelled to know it all.
Christoph Fischer is such a masterful storyteller and he honors the intelligence of his readers with clever information as to make the ride believable. A truly clever work of fiction, my reaction? Can I possibly find enough superlatives for this review?
Christoph Fischer is such a masterful storyteller and he honors the intelligence of his readers with clever information as to make the ride believable. A truly clever work of fiction, my reaction? Can I possibly find enough superlatives for this review?
January 7, 2015
I have read several books by this author, enjoyed all of them but 'The Healer', by far, is my favorite. In this novel, author Christoph Fischer, tackles a subject near and dear to my heart; the medical profession and the impact of physician decision making on individuals particularly those with severe medical conditions and diseases.
In Fischer's novel, we meet Erica in the aftermath of a round of chemotherapy intended to treat her pancreatic cancer. Readers learn very quickly that Erica is seeking the impossible; healing. We empathize with Erica knowing that she has one of the most painful and fatal forms of cancer. While Erica's "hair had not fallen out from the chemo...it turned gray and made her look much older than she was. People used to think of Erica as at least five years younger than she actually was, now people thought she was five years older. She looked tiny and felt thin and weak."
Out of desperation and the advice of her assistant, Erica searches for a renown spiritual guru known for his non-traditional unusual treatment protocols and more importantly for his fees. She persuades recluse Arpan self re-named Amesh to use his gift to heal her body in exchange for emptying her bank account.
Believing she's fully healed, Erica returns to her job basically broke but thankful for her life and ability to go forward.
Without spoilers, the author convincingly creates a story line, over and above the medical treatment issues, that revolves around core concepts such as faith, trust, relationships, integrity and more. He craftily develops the plot to allow for suspicion, anticipation and 'in the box' conclusions. While it could be easy for many readers to neatly make certain assumptions and form a simple conclusion, I was unable to do so. Perhaps it is because of my familiarity and extreme sensitivity (I must admit) to many of the topics raised in this outstanding novel, I completed the book having a myriad of questions and thoughts. I'd love for the author to have a sequel to this book. If he'd already written it, I would purchase it today!
Congratulations Christoph Fischer on another great book! Keep them coming.
In Fischer's novel, we meet Erica in the aftermath of a round of chemotherapy intended to treat her pancreatic cancer. Readers learn very quickly that Erica is seeking the impossible; healing. We empathize with Erica knowing that she has one of the most painful and fatal forms of cancer. While Erica's "hair had not fallen out from the chemo...it turned gray and made her look much older than she was. People used to think of Erica as at least five years younger than she actually was, now people thought she was five years older. She looked tiny and felt thin and weak."
Out of desperation and the advice of her assistant, Erica searches for a renown spiritual guru known for his non-traditional unusual treatment protocols and more importantly for his fees. She persuades recluse Arpan self re-named Amesh to use his gift to heal her body in exchange for emptying her bank account.
Believing she's fully healed, Erica returns to her job basically broke but thankful for her life and ability to go forward.
Without spoilers, the author convincingly creates a story line, over and above the medical treatment issues, that revolves around core concepts such as faith, trust, relationships, integrity and more. He craftily develops the plot to allow for suspicion, anticipation and 'in the box' conclusions. While it could be easy for many readers to neatly make certain assumptions and form a simple conclusion, I was unable to do so. Perhaps it is because of my familiarity and extreme sensitivity (I must admit) to many of the topics raised in this outstanding novel, I completed the book having a myriad of questions and thoughts. I'd love for the author to have a sequel to this book. If he'd already written it, I would purchase it today!
Congratulations Christoph Fischer on another great book! Keep them coming.
January 20, 2015
The Healer by Christoph Fischer is a compelling read. I should say another compelling read by the author since I have loved all of his books. This one is right up there in quality and entertainment value. This book swept me off my feet from the first page. I love the authors use of language and natural dialog. I am a big fan and would read anything he wrote at this point.
Mr. Fischer's passion comes across in his writing as well as his attention to the human spirit. He writes with his heart and moves me as a reader.
The Healer is a powerful story, one with turn of events I didn't see coming. As I read, the story kept on getting better and better... Without giving away any secrets. This story had my heart pumping and my mind racing! Nothing better than a suspenseful dramatic escape. I was hooked from the start of this intriguing mystery.
Quote ~
"She eased gladly now into the inevitable and for the first time in her life 'enjoyed' being ill. There was something oddly therapeutic in her surrender, a rewarding sensation in becoming one with the disease and its effects. She embraced it with all her might. Whereas before she had tried to stop it and fight it, she now felt as if she was merely hanging on to the rails of a fast moving roller coaster ride, but was now one with its motion and content with wherever it might take her.”
February 21, 2015
Splendid
I took a punt on a new author to me and I was delighted that I did. This a book has an original plot that at the same time makes you feel like you already know the chief protagonists. From the opening page you are immersed into the story and what a story. I like to be drawn into a book but I need to be kept interested and I most certainly was.
No chance of spoilers from me, I would ruin the book for you if I did. All I will say is that the story centres around Erika, who choses to seek alternative treatment for her cancer. The alternative treatment she seeks and the deceit, plot twists and intrigue that follows, just mount up. I wanted to put the book away several times but kept going back for just one more chapter. You will love the flow of this book. Perfectly paced for me, a well balanced study in character I have become a Christoph Fischer fan today. If you are the sort of person who is afraid to take a risk with a new author, you need not worry, you are in safe hands. Pick this book up and look for his next one.
I took a punt on a new author to me and I was delighted that I did. This a book has an original plot that at the same time makes you feel like you already know the chief protagonists. From the opening page you are immersed into the story and what a story. I like to be drawn into a book but I need to be kept interested and I most certainly was.
No chance of spoilers from me, I would ruin the book for you if I did. All I will say is that the story centres around Erika, who choses to seek alternative treatment for her cancer. The alternative treatment she seeks and the deceit, plot twists and intrigue that follows, just mount up. I wanted to put the book away several times but kept going back for just one more chapter. You will love the flow of this book. Perfectly paced for me, a well balanced study in character I have become a Christoph Fischer fan today. If you are the sort of person who is afraid to take a risk with a new author, you need not worry, you are in safe hands. Pick this book up and look for his next one.
January 18, 2015
Erica has cancer. When Western medicine fails to cure her, she resolves to somebody her rational mind would've never allowed if it weren't that her own life is at stake: desperate to get rid of her cancer, Erica hunts down a "retired" healer, Arpan. As she undergoes his new, alternative treatment -- something completely different from the chemio and other therapies she has gone through before -- Erica struggles to understand who Arpan really is and what secrets he is hiding from her. In the end, Erica will have to heal from a lot more than just cancer. Reminiscent of Paul Coelho's the Alchemist, The Healer is a beautiful tale about not just healing but also self-discovery and second-chances. The plot has its fair share of twists and dark secrets that need to come to light, besides true gems of wisdom.
November 10, 2020
I've read a couple of other books, by Christoph Fischer, which were in a different genre to The Healer, but I know I enjoyed them, so was sure the same would be the case for this.
And I wasn't wrong.
The book takes along the journey of healing, concentrating on Erika, a hard-nosed businesswoman diagnosed with the late stages of pancreatic cancer.
She finds an infamous healer, by the name of Arpan, who was renowned twenty years before, for healing suffers, then it was like he disappeared from the face of the earth.
Arpan is recommended to Erika by her personal assistant, who helps her to find where he is hidden, and she goes on to convince him to treat her.
There are so many twists and turns within this, from the scepticism of those who don't believe in any kind of healing that isn't scientifically proven, to the actual storyline, and the connections that arise.
Oh, and the ending!
A good read.
And I wasn't wrong.
The book takes along the journey of healing, concentrating on Erika, a hard-nosed businesswoman diagnosed with the late stages of pancreatic cancer.
She finds an infamous healer, by the name of Arpan, who was renowned twenty years before, for healing suffers, then it was like he disappeared from the face of the earth.
Arpan is recommended to Erika by her personal assistant, who helps her to find where he is hidden, and she goes on to convince him to treat her.
There are so many twists and turns within this, from the scepticism of those who don't believe in any kind of healing that isn't scientifically proven, to the actual storyline, and the connections that arise.
Oh, and the ending!
A good read.
April 22, 2020
A woman's encounter over a couple of years with a spiritual healer. Did he or didn't he cure her pancreatic cancer? Is he or isn't he a true healer?
I found the antagonist a bit unbelievable, and there seemed to be some loose threads. But it was a good read nonetheless.
I found the antagonist a bit unbelievable, and there seemed to be some loose threads. But it was a good read nonetheless.
March 27, 2015
I began Christoph Fischer’s book The Healer with a sigh of quiet joy, knowing almost immediately that this was going to be one I really enjoyed. I finally read the last few words with a sigh of regret that it was over, then immediately went to see what other books I could find by this outstanding author. Fortunately, there are quite a few. The story of The Healer is deceptively simple. A woman with end-stage pancreatic cancer and only weeks to live arrives at the secret Welsh hide-out of a mysterious discredited healer, once popular 20 years ago. He is a typical new age hippie on the face of it, who meditates most of the day and practises Qui Gong in the grounds outside his simple living dome. She is a high-powered business woman who expects to get her own way, and makes no secret of the selfish lifestyle she has pursued all her adult life. Her PA has recommended Arpan as her last hope. In spite of his initial resistance Erica negotiates with him to heal her, and reluctantly he agrees, warning that she must totally commit to the arduous process. She then succumbs to the bizarre, deeply affecting treatments and the overwhelming, often agonising aftermath of each one... And there, dear reader, I am going to leave you hanging, because you must find out for yourself whether Erica gets healed, and whether all the secrets that this book presents you with are ultimately answered. Be warned - no one is quite who they seem to be in this novel... as a psychological mystery par excellence it keeps you wondering, speculating, and at times fretting... You want to shout: “Look out behind you!” a number of times, and then you are lulled again into an awed belief that there really is unconditional love and healing is possible. But is this the case, or is Erica a mere pawn in the greatest con trick ever? I recently read a quote that said a great writer should deliberately move the reader between stages of frustration and satisfaction, of tension and release, and Christoph Fischer has perfected the art of this. In a cleverly executed, well-written novel that relies on an apparently small canvas, he paints a startlingly multi-layered, multifaceted, expertly credible psychological portrait of both Erica and Arpan, and the strangely complex dance of trust, mistrust, and understanding that plays out between them. I loved this novel from start to finish, and it held me in its thrall without ever once letting me fall by the wayside into temporary disinterest. I thoroughly recommend it, and I’m heading for Christoph Fischer’s Author page on Amazon to choose another one right now.
January 4, 2015
The Healer by Christoph Fischer is a book you must read as soon as it is released. You do not want to run the risk that the buzz about the book will spoil this thriller for you. The book is, of course, well-written. It’s a quick read that you will want to hurtle through in an afternoon, or over a weekend. At its core are interesting, enigmatic characters, and a clever plot. The story is told from the point of view of the main character, Erica Whittaker, who in midlife is diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It comes as no surprise that she’s desperate. Traditional medicine has nothing more to offer her. She is about to give up and accept her fate when, at the urging of her devoted office assistant, Hilda, Erica decides to pursue another path. That path takes her to the door of a once-renowned faith healer, Arpan. Using a different name, the man is, virtually, a recluse. A man with a mysterious past, Arpan also possesses a great gift, as testimonials from previous recipients of his healing bear out. He is, at first, reluctant to treat Erica. When he finally takes Erica on as a client, his treatment unleashes a series of unfortunate events, as big pharma and other opponents from his past, line up against him. Erica, who has secrets of her own, soon finds herself caught up in a web of intrigue, being stalked, cornered, and manipulated, fighting for her life. Will she survive? What will happen to Arpan, and those around him? You’ll have to read the book, of course, to find out. Quite entertaining and well worth the read, this book is highly recommended.
March 14, 2015
This is the first book I've read by this author, but I can assure you it won't be my last. As a healthcare professional myself, I was/am intrigued how writers portray the medical field and many of its mysteries. This book (cover is brilliant) caught my eye. The story inside did not disappoint!
At first, you think the story is the classic "girl is dying, girl searches for healer, girl finds healer, girl is healed." But it's so much more than that. Both healer and patient are at a crossroads, defining which way their lives will go. Fischer takes the reader on one hell of a journey.
Fischer makes you feel the enormity and depth of desperation Erica is feeling, believing this rather bizarre healer may be her one and only chance to survive terminal cancer. He deftly melds into the story the ever present and ongoing argument between alternative healing and Big Pharmaceuticals...*Note~Most of the latter comes from the former. At any rate, I found myself questioning what I would do, how far would I go to survive imminent death. The true beauty in this story is Fischer's ability to humanize the relationship between healer and patient...flaws, idiosyncrasies and all, the healer is as human as the rest of us.
The story is emotional and captivating, beautifully written with some twists I didn't expect. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!
Beautifully done! Bravo Mr. Fischer!
At first, you think the story is the classic "girl is dying, girl searches for healer, girl finds healer, girl is healed." But it's so much more than that. Both healer and patient are at a crossroads, defining which way their lives will go. Fischer takes the reader on one hell of a journey.
Fischer makes you feel the enormity and depth of desperation Erica is feeling, believing this rather bizarre healer may be her one and only chance to survive terminal cancer. He deftly melds into the story the ever present and ongoing argument between alternative healing and Big Pharmaceuticals...*Note~Most of the latter comes from the former. At any rate, I found myself questioning what I would do, how far would I go to survive imminent death. The true beauty in this story is Fischer's ability to humanize the relationship between healer and patient...flaws, idiosyncrasies and all, the healer is as human as the rest of us.
The story is emotional and captivating, beautifully written with some twists I didn't expect. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!
Beautifully done! Bravo Mr. Fischer!
December 28, 2014
One of the best books I’ve read in a while, and written by a true craftsman, who knows his stuff. Set in UK and Europe, The HEALER covers areas that fascinate me, both geographic and medical, but from a whole new perspective. The research is detailed, and the plot has me wondering just what the various characters’ truths are. We have Erica/Maria as the woman diagnosed with Grade 4 pancreatic cancer seeking a miracle cure. And her workplace junior, Hilda, who becomes her best friend and support. Enter Amesh/Arpan, the hippy guru-styled healer, who believes he has lost his healing mission due to pharmaceutical giants, who in turn feel their empire is under threat if this healer is not completely shut down. But then again, with all their backing millions, they have been trying for a score of years or more, and Arpan has survived. Sure he went to ground, but… So add in his protégé, Anuj, who is more like a son to Arpan than protégé. Then there are the friends who are not as they first appear, and the enemies who are not as they first appear.
So deftly woven is this story as to make an early assumption naïve.
I am a great fan of Fischer’s books, and know that when I choose one, I will not in any way be disappointed. This is yet another, to join my growing select collection.
So deftly woven is this story as to make an early assumption naïve.
I am a great fan of Fischer’s books, and know that when I choose one, I will not in any way be disappointed. This is yet another, to join my growing select collection.
January 16, 2015
The Wounded Healer
We meet Erica, a 44 year old woman with stage four pancreatic cancer. She’s just been through the final round of grueling chemo therapy; her prognosis is that the cancer is terminal. Erica has accepted that there is no hope of recovery with western medicine. However, at the urging of her secretary, Hilda, she turns seeks out a new age healer. Arpan claims to have cured pancreatic cancer with the touch of his hands—and a secret elixir he’s concocted himself. He’s hidden away in the Welsh countryside and no longer practicing his craft. Erica seeks him out anyway, and finds a seemingly poor, decrepit looking old man—the quintessential “wounded healer.”
Christoph Fischer has woven a fascinating medical mystery/thriller. I found myself turning the pages fast as the plot thickened and subplot developed, twisting and turning through a briar patch of dodgy characters with secrets and hidden agendas. The topic is deadly serious, but still great fun to read. In the end, readers may well ask themselves who was truly the healer, and who was in need of healing?
We meet Erica, a 44 year old woman with stage four pancreatic cancer. She’s just been through the final round of grueling chemo therapy; her prognosis is that the cancer is terminal. Erica has accepted that there is no hope of recovery with western medicine. However, at the urging of her secretary, Hilda, she turns seeks out a new age healer. Arpan claims to have cured pancreatic cancer with the touch of his hands—and a secret elixir he’s concocted himself. He’s hidden away in the Welsh countryside and no longer practicing his craft. Erica seeks him out anyway, and finds a seemingly poor, decrepit looking old man—the quintessential “wounded healer.”
Christoph Fischer has woven a fascinating medical mystery/thriller. I found myself turning the pages fast as the plot thickened and subplot developed, twisting and turning through a briar patch of dodgy characters with secrets and hidden agendas. The topic is deadly serious, but still great fun to read. In the end, readers may well ask themselves who was truly the healer, and who was in need of healing?
April 1, 2015
Often beguiling, always pacey, this novel is up for grabs if you like paranormal novels with a ‘real’ feel.
This is a thriller about the little guy against the pharmaceutical giants and it does thrill. The pace keeps you on the edge of your seat to the end. I just couldn’t figure out how it would end until the last word!
Arpan is a psychic/mystic/healer and lays his hands on Erica who is feisty, ambitious, suspicious but not quite what she seems at face value.
Christoph Fischer doesn’t go here for the larger ensemble cast here that he employs on Conditions or Sebastian but instead we have a small cast, whom the author develops meticulously.
At first, I didn’t like Erica and the author has a knack of portraying irritating characters with hidden redeeming features. So it is with Erica. I eventually liked her and found myself rooting for her to the end, which after all is the job of a top novel.
The location depictions are first-rate too and Mr Fischer has researched the medical/pharmaceutical elements of the story well.
If you like slightly noirish thrillers with a big twist at the end and an unexpected outcome, you will love The Healer.
This is a thriller about the little guy against the pharmaceutical giants and it does thrill. The pace keeps you on the edge of your seat to the end. I just couldn’t figure out how it would end until the last word!
Arpan is a psychic/mystic/healer and lays his hands on Erica who is feisty, ambitious, suspicious but not quite what she seems at face value.
Christoph Fischer doesn’t go here for the larger ensemble cast here that he employs on Conditions or Sebastian but instead we have a small cast, whom the author develops meticulously.
At first, I didn’t like Erica and the author has a knack of portraying irritating characters with hidden redeeming features. So it is with Erica. I eventually liked her and found myself rooting for her to the end, which after all is the job of a top novel.
The location depictions are first-rate too and Mr Fischer has researched the medical/pharmaceutical elements of the story well.
If you like slightly noirish thrillers with a big twist at the end and an unexpected outcome, you will love The Healer.
February 28, 2015
I read this book so fast i'm almost sad that it's over. The author did a fantastic job keeping you guessing until the very end. I wasn't sure whom to trust throughout most of the book and kept turning pages to find out. There were plenty of secrets, and mysteries to keep you intrigued. Christopher magically narrated a spiritual world and combined it nicely with the modern day stresses. Each time you went from Erica and Arpan's interactions as he tried to heal her, and then back to what Erica's life was like when she was not with The Healer, you got a glimpse into two truly different worlds, but found yourself drawn into both.
I was on the edge of my seat for so many scenes and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Each time a new plot twist was unveiled, i screamed and refused to let anyone interrupt my reading. I loved the book so much I snuck it with me and read it every chance i had. Wonderfully crafted. I cant wait to read more from this author.
I was on the edge of my seat for so many scenes and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Each time a new plot twist was unveiled, i screamed and refused to let anyone interrupt my reading. I loved the book so much I snuck it with me and read it every chance i had. Wonderfully crafted. I cant wait to read more from this author.
March 16, 2015
**** A FINE, DIFFERENT KIND OF PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER
There is no doubt that Christoph Fischer’s THE HEALER is a different kind of psychological thriller. There are no spies or international intrigue, yet on the edge of your seat the entire time, you most certainly are! When the main character, desperate for a cure for her stage four-pancreatic cancer, approaches a known ‘healer,’ we are immediately drawn in. But that is just the beginning. As the book evolves, we realize it’s all about trust. More than that, it makes us do some heavy soul searching––about the difference between true belief vs. panicked belief; western medicine vs. holistic cures; the commercialism of pharmaceuticals; genuine gifts vs. manipulative ploys; how in the end, a ‘cure’ doesn’t necessarily solve everything. And all of this as the plot twists and turns, making us turn pages and wonder what’s going to happen next. Thoughtful, quietly riveting, this book was a great read. Highly recommended!
There is no doubt that Christoph Fischer’s THE HEALER is a different kind of psychological thriller. There are no spies or international intrigue, yet on the edge of your seat the entire time, you most certainly are! When the main character, desperate for a cure for her stage four-pancreatic cancer, approaches a known ‘healer,’ we are immediately drawn in. But that is just the beginning. As the book evolves, we realize it’s all about trust. More than that, it makes us do some heavy soul searching––about the difference between true belief vs. panicked belief; western medicine vs. holistic cures; the commercialism of pharmaceuticals; genuine gifts vs. manipulative ploys; how in the end, a ‘cure’ doesn’t necessarily solve everything. And all of this as the plot twists and turns, making us turn pages and wonder what’s going to happen next. Thoughtful, quietly riveting, this book was a great read. Highly recommended!
January 26, 2015
Christoph Fischer is not a new writer to me but one whose books I enjoy more with each one added to the virtual shelf in my Kindle. The Healer is a compelling thriller that sees a woman driven to put her trust into the hands of a spiritual healer after conventional treatment has failed her. Erica has doubts about Arpan, but tries to overcome these since he is her last hope.
The book is a study of desperation and doubt. The healer and his patient go on an intimate journey that transforms them both and explores beliefs about alternative and Western Medicine. While the healing process continues, more factors come into play to complicate the situation and it is this, with twists, character depth and development, that grips the reader all the way to an ending that left me breathless. A very entertaining page-turning read I highly recommend.
The book is a study of desperation and doubt. The healer and his patient go on an intimate journey that transforms them both and explores beliefs about alternative and Western Medicine. While the healing process continues, more factors come into play to complicate the situation and it is this, with twists, character depth and development, that grips the reader all the way to an ending that left me breathless. A very entertaining page-turning read I highly recommend.
March 2, 2015
Diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer, Erica Whittaker, high powered executive, is persuaded by her loyal personal assistant Hilda, to seek treatment from Arpan. Twenty years previously, he had cured hundreds of people of pancreatic cancer by holistic means. Erica's reluctance to face him is governed by the past.
Fischer's understanding of holistic healing practices allows Whittaker to be the Western sceptic and Arpan to explain what he does and why. This fast paced and intricately woven novel is a page turner and I enjoyed it very much. As Whittaker explores her own feelings about medicine, both conventional and holistic and the life she lives, both its pace and content, the reader is confronted with their own beliefs and life choices.
Thought provoking, interesting and a great read.
Fischer's understanding of holistic healing practices allows Whittaker to be the Western sceptic and Arpan to explain what he does and why. This fast paced and intricately woven novel is a page turner and I enjoyed it very much. As Whittaker explores her own feelings about medicine, both conventional and holistic and the life she lives, both its pace and content, the reader is confronted with their own beliefs and life choices.
Thought provoking, interesting and a great read.
January 24, 2015
Once again I'm blown away by the depth of characters in Mr. Fischer's books. It took a bit for me to know Erica and understand what she's going through, but she turns out to be multi-faceted and incredibly real. Fischer manages to capture her true emotions, all while weaving a suspenseful tale that kept me glued to each page. There is also a fascinating look at the world of alternative medicine, and a special elixir concocted by Arpan (an intriguing character in his own right) that could be the cure Erica is seeking. That facet of the story takes it into a new level of thriller that could please a scifi fan such as myself. This is a riveting story, masterfully woven by an expert storyteller.
February 23, 2015
Christoph Fischer has done it again, he wrote a book I could not put down. This one is yet again a totally different subject and style. He is a very versatile writer and I am looking forward to find out what he will do next. The plot is intriguing, surprising and the twist at the end is something I certainly did not expect. I do not like to give anything away from the synopsis you do know that the main Character Erica seeks the help of a controversial healer to free her from the cancer which is slowly eating her up from the inside. Will his treatment work? Will she survive? No, I will not say any more than this. I highly recommend you read this books and come to think of it, also read Christoph Fischer’s other titles. His books should be on everybody’s Bookshelf.
December 3, 2015
Christoph Fischer has penned an original and thought provoking tale, expertly building an eloquent portrayal of human neurosis triggered by primal traits and pinpointing the depths that we will sink to, to achieve our goals. The plot weaves this way and that around the central character on the run up to a perfect little twist.
It’s slightly lean on description for my taste, although some readers may prefer this, it makes up for the shortfall with heaps of dialogue, otherwise I would have undoubtedly given this book a five star rating, but for his prowess with the keyboard and his ability to depict human emotion upon the page, I’ll definitely be giving his other works the once over.
It’s slightly lean on description for my taste, although some readers may prefer this, it makes up for the shortfall with heaps of dialogue, otherwise I would have undoubtedly given this book a five star rating, but for his prowess with the keyboard and his ability to depict human emotion upon the page, I’ll definitely be giving his other works the once over.
January 15, 2015
Christoph Fischer has a way with crafting a story that completely pulls you in and The Healer is no exception. Tackling the difficult subject of cancer combined with a plot full of alternative medicine, mystery, and intrigue, Fischer has created a web of a story that leads you down many roads. The last one at the end is a real mind-blower.
The cancer patient, Erica, is, at first, snarky and irritable, but as she goes through her progress in treatment, the real woman comes out and is very likable.
As usual, I am amazed with Fischer's storytelling. Bravo.
The cancer patient, Erica, is, at first, snarky and irritable, but as she goes through her progress in treatment, the real woman comes out and is very likable.
As usual, I am amazed with Fischer's storytelling. Bravo.
January 20, 2015
This is a shocking read about a woman who takes her medical care into her own hands. After doctors have written her off she goes to a healer. You will never expect or see the twists in this plot. I am so in love with this authors work. The fast paced flowing story lines that truly transport you into the story. Characters you can relate to with either love or hate. Pick up this book if your a fan of mystery, medicine or just great books.
July 3, 2016
ALWAYS DELIVERS
Another good book from this author, he never disappoints. It was a little slow to start with, but once it picked up pace I was engrossed in the story. I particularly liked the twist at the end – I never saw that coming. Well drawn characters and I could connect with Marie and feel her pain and uncertainty. Give this book a try.
Another good book from this author, he never disappoints. It was a little slow to start with, but once it picked up pace I was engrossed in the story. I particularly liked the twist at the end – I never saw that coming. Well drawn characters and I could connect with Marie and feel her pain and uncertainty. Give this book a try.
March 19, 2015
What can I say? Loved the book and the writer. I'll be back for more.
September 28, 2018
Представьте, вы- гуру, шаман и знахарь, практикующий всякие нетрадиционные эзотерические штучки(некоторые из которых вам приходят на ум как Менделееву его таблица, т. е. во сне). Вернее, практиковавший 19 лет назад. Потом вы отказались от своей практики в силу каких-то причин, и за эти 19 лет вы вылечили всего одного пациента, и то по очень большому родственному блату. И тут из ниоткуда появляется непонятно кто и просит вас вылечить её. Это всё происходит примерно так:
«Вылечи меня, я смертельно больна!»
«Нет, я завязал.»
«Ну пожалуйста!»
«Нет, я в завязке 19 лет.»
«Не будь падлой!»
«Нет, я никого не лечу.»
«Ну пожалуйста.»
«Ну ладно, давай ложись на кушетку.»
Примерно так главная героиня убедила знахаря Арпана, который 19 с половиной лет никого не лечил, и у которого за это время наверняка было море желающих, вылечить её. Достаточно веские и убедительные аргументы, не правда ли? Автору попросту не хватило фантазии сделать хоть какую-то правдоподобную завязку своей истории.
Большую часть книги автор не раскрывает почему главная героиня, урождённая Эрика Уитакер, решила для Арпана назваться Марией ��иллер. Ближе к концовке выясняется, что оказывается у шамана и его текущей пациентки есть совместное прошлое- давным давно жена и сын Арпана убились в ДТП- врезались в машину, в которй погибли также и родители главной героини. Жена Арпана была виновницей, и поэтому главная героиня в ярости и горести устраивала какие-то судебные засады Арпану. Какие именно- не раскрывается. Идём далее. Знахарь Арпан лечит рак, вернее всего одну его разновидность- рак поджелудочной железы. И, надо же, какое совпадение, у главной героини обнаруживается именно эта разновидность рака на 4 стадии. Поэтому, когда Эрика узнала кого именно она будет упрашивать вылечить её- решила выдать себя за другую. Как, однако, тесен мир, не правда ли? Как-то многовато совпадений. И вообще, зачем эта история с погибшими в ДТП родственниками- не понятно, т. к. это абсолютно никак не влияет на сюжет.
Гуннар, парень, которого Эрика встретила после своего излечения, достаточно странный персонаж. Любит главную героиню, ссыт кипятком, и вообще, весь такой позитивный и серьёзный- хочет сделать предложение. Но, когда Эрика попыталась рассказать ему про свою болячку, этот чел просто взял и разорвал отношения посреди совместного отпуска после 2х минутного диалога. Вот примерно так это выглядело:
«Эрика, я тебя обожаю, выходи за меня замуж! Не могу жить без тебя.»
«Гуннар, я должна тебе сказать, у меня неделю назад был насморк...»
«Фу, ну ты и тварь. Как ты могла придумывать такую нереальную историю? Для чего? Чтобы обратить на себя моё внимание? Неужели ты думаешь, что я в это поверю? Я не слушаю твои аргументы, не даю тебе ни единого шанса объясниться, бросаю тебя, на телефонные звонки отвечать не буду. Я тебя разлюбил за 1 минуту.»
Этот эпизод просто вне всякой критики. Просто бред воспалённого сознания.
В книге много диалогов, даже не диалогов, а монологов, т. к. все без исключения герои любят отвечать на простые вопросы развёрнуто, несколькими сложными предложениями. А почти всё действие разворачивается в 2х локациях- отель и дом знахаря.
Резюме. Идея книги неплохая, но реализация хромает на обе ноги. Абсолютно не убедительно. Сюжет местами высосан из пальца. Язык книги достаточно лаконичен, местами даже скуп, что воспринимается скорее как какая-нибудь стенограмма. Возможно, по причине личности писателя, который является этническим немцем, и английский язык для него не родной. С одной стороны это позволяет легко слушать и понимать, а с другой стороны все герои получились плоскими, а события бесцветными. Книгу я прослушал около месяца назад, но рецензию не писал, хотел понять кто кому Петрович в конечном итоге, так сказать. Нихрена я не понял, как ни старался. Книга на 2 балла, чисто за сырую идею.
«Вылечи меня, я смертельно больна!»
«Нет, я завязал.»
«Ну пожалуйста!»
«Нет, я в завязке 19 лет.»
«Не будь падлой!»
«Нет, я никого не лечу.»
«Ну пожалуйста.»
«Ну ладно, давай ложись на кушетку.»
Примерно так главная героиня убедила знахаря Арпана, который 19 с половиной лет никого не лечил, и у которого за это время наверняка было море желающих, вылечить её. Достаточно веские и убедительные аргументы, не правда ли? Автору попросту не хватило фантазии сделать хоть какую-то правдоподобную завязку своей истории.
Большую часть книги автор не раскрывает почему главная героиня, урождённая Эрика Уитакер, решила для Арпана назваться Марией ��иллер. Ближе к концовке выясняется, что оказывается у шамана и его текущей пациентки есть совместное прошлое- давным давно жена и сын Арпана убились в ДТП- врезались в машину, в которй погибли также и родители главной героини. Жена Арпана была виновницей, и поэтому главная героиня в ярости и горести устраивала какие-то судебные засады Арпану. Какие именно- не раскрывается. Идём далее. Знахарь Арпан лечит рак, вернее всего одну его разновидность- рак поджелудочной железы. И, надо же, какое совпадение, у главной героини обнаруживается именно эта разновидность рака на 4 стадии. Поэтому, когда Эрика узнала кого именно она будет упрашивать вылечить её- решила выдать себя за другую. Как, однако, тесен мир, не правда ли? Как-то многовато совпадений. И вообще, зачем эта история с погибшими в ДТП родственниками- не понятно, т. к. это абсолютно никак не влияет на сюжет.
Гуннар, парень, которого Эрика встретила после своего излечения, достаточно странный персонаж. Любит главную героиню, ссыт кипятком, и вообще, весь такой позитивный и серьёзный- хочет сделать предложение. Но, когда Эрика попыталась рассказать ему про свою болячку, этот чел просто взял и разорвал отношения посреди совместного отпуска после 2х минутного диалога. Вот примерно так это выглядело:
«Эрика, я тебя обожаю, выходи за меня замуж! Не могу жить без тебя.»
«Гуннар, я должна тебе сказать, у меня неделю назад был насморк...»
«Фу, ну ты и тварь. Как ты могла придумывать такую нереальную историю? Для чего? Чтобы обратить на себя моё внимание? Неужели ты думаешь, что я в это поверю? Я не слушаю твои аргументы, не даю тебе ни единого шанса объясниться, бросаю тебя, на телефонные звонки отвечать не буду. Я тебя разлюбил за 1 минуту.»
Этот эпизод просто вне всякой критики. Просто бред воспалённого сознания.
В книге много диалогов, даже не диалогов, а монологов, т. к. все без исключения герои любят отвечать на простые вопросы развёрнуто, несколькими сложными предложениями. А почти всё действие разворачивается в 2х локациях- отель и дом знахаря.
Резюме. Идея книги неплохая, но реализация хромает на обе ноги. Абсолютно не убедительно. Сюжет местами высосан из пальца. Язык книги достаточно лаконичен, местами даже скуп, что воспринимается скорее как какая-нибудь стенограмма. Возможно, по причине личности писателя, который является этническим немцем, и английский язык для него не родной. С одной стороны это позволяет легко слушать и понимать, а с другой стороны все герои получились плоскими, а события бесцветными. Книгу я прослушал около месяца назад, но рецензию не писал, хотел понять кто кому Петрович в конечном итоге, так сказать. Нихрена я не понял, как ни старался. Книга на 2 балла, чисто за сырую идею.
March 22, 2018
A psychologically astute book that will make you think about your own mortality. And what an ending! I have read and reviewed a couple of the author’s books in the past and enjoyed them, and I was intrigued by this book when it came out, but due to my personal circumstances (my father suffered from cancer and died around the time of its publication) I didn’t feel I was in the best frame of mind for it. Now that it has been published as part of The Fraud and Miracle Trilogy, I was very pleased to receive a paperback copy and finally get to read it.
The story is deceptively simple. A woman suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer, desperate, follows the advice of her personal assistant and approaches a healer, Arpan. I am not sure if he would call himself a “faith” healer, but he insists that those he treats should be totally invested in the process, including transferring 50% of their assets to his account. Although he states all that money goes to charity, it caused suspicion and scandal years back, and he has been keeping a low profile ever since. After much insistence and a different deal, he agrees to treat Erica, who also has secrets of her own. There are strange conspiracies surrounding Arpan and his healing process but Erica’s life is changed forever. Things are not as they seem, of course.
The story is written in the third person from Erica’s point of view, and we get to share in her doubts, suspicions, paranoia, hope, and also to experience the healing with her. The book transmits a sense of claustrophobia, and although there are treks around the Welsh countryside and later we move to a different country, most of the story takes place within Arpan’s tent, and there are only a few main characters (mostly Erica (Maria), Arpan (Amesh), and Anuj) with some secondary characters that we don’t get to know very well (Hilda, Julia, Gunnar). There are no lengthy descriptions of settings or of the appearance of the characters, because we follow the point of view of a woman totally preoccupied with her health and her mortality, and that makes her not the most reliable of narrators. She describes the physical and mental effects that the illness and the healing process have on her, and we are also privy to her suspicions and doubts. The book offers fascinating psychological insights into how much our “rational” point of view can change when our life is at stake, and it is impossible to read it and not wonder what we would do in Erica’s place.
I kept thinking that the story, which relies heavily on dialogue (both between characters and also internal dialogue), would make a great play, and its intensity would be well suited to the stage. Although most of the characters are not sympathetic, to begin with, their humanity and the big questions they are forced to deal with make them intriguing and worthy subjects of our observations.
The ending brings a great twist to the story. Although I think most readers will have been suspicious and on alert due to the secrets, false information, continuous doubts, and different versions of the truth on offer, the actual ending will make them question everything and re-evaluate the story in a different light. And, considering the nature of the subject it deals with, that is a great achievement.
I recommend it to those who enjoy stories that make them think, to readers who are not searching for cheap thrills and prefer a psychologically astute book and especially to those who want to feel personally invested in the stories they read. I look forward to the rest of the books in the trilogy.
The story is deceptively simple. A woman suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer, desperate, follows the advice of her personal assistant and approaches a healer, Arpan. I am not sure if he would call himself a “faith” healer, but he insists that those he treats should be totally invested in the process, including transferring 50% of their assets to his account. Although he states all that money goes to charity, it caused suspicion and scandal years back, and he has been keeping a low profile ever since. After much insistence and a different deal, he agrees to treat Erica, who also has secrets of her own. There are strange conspiracies surrounding Arpan and his healing process but Erica’s life is changed forever. Things are not as they seem, of course.
The story is written in the third person from Erica’s point of view, and we get to share in her doubts, suspicions, paranoia, hope, and also to experience the healing with her. The book transmits a sense of claustrophobia, and although there are treks around the Welsh countryside and later we move to a different country, most of the story takes place within Arpan’s tent, and there are only a few main characters (mostly Erica (Maria), Arpan (Amesh), and Anuj) with some secondary characters that we don’t get to know very well (Hilda, Julia, Gunnar). There are no lengthy descriptions of settings or of the appearance of the characters, because we follow the point of view of a woman totally preoccupied with her health and her mortality, and that makes her not the most reliable of narrators. She describes the physical and mental effects that the illness and the healing process have on her, and we are also privy to her suspicions and doubts. The book offers fascinating psychological insights into how much our “rational” point of view can change when our life is at stake, and it is impossible to read it and not wonder what we would do in Erica’s place.
I kept thinking that the story, which relies heavily on dialogue (both between characters and also internal dialogue), would make a great play, and its intensity would be well suited to the stage. Although most of the characters are not sympathetic, to begin with, their humanity and the big questions they are forced to deal with make them intriguing and worthy subjects of our observations.
The ending brings a great twist to the story. Although I think most readers will have been suspicious and on alert due to the secrets, false information, continuous doubts, and different versions of the truth on offer, the actual ending will make them question everything and re-evaluate the story in a different light. And, considering the nature of the subject it deals with, that is a great achievement.
I recommend it to those who enjoy stories that make them think, to readers who are not searching for cheap thrills and prefer a psychologically astute book and especially to those who want to feel personally invested in the stories they read. I look forward to the rest of the books in the trilogy.
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