Võitja mäng

by Kevin Alan Milne, Reelika Haapanen (Translator)

Kui seitsmeteistkümneaastasel Ann Bennettil kaks aastat tagasi diagnoositi eluohtlik südameprobleem, hakkas tema perekond lagunema. Ann, tema noorem õde ja vend tülitsevad pidevalt, nagu ka nende vanemad. Kui arstid teatavad, et Anni ainus ellujäämisvõimalus on südame siirdamine enne, kui suvi läbi saab, otsustavad Bennettid uudist doonori kohta oodata Oregoni rannikul Haystack Rocki lähedal asuvas perekonna tühjaks jäänud majas.

Kuid selle asemel, et nende erimeelsusi lahendada, aeg ainult laiendab nende vahel olevaid lõhesid. Seda hetkeni, kuni nad saavad teada «Võitja mängust», mille nende vanavanavanemad kümneid aastaid tagasi oma abielu päästmiseks olid välja mõelnud. See ei toimi otsekohe ning võtab aega, et välja nuputada, milline on õige viis seda mängida, aga vähehaaval hakkavad asjad muutuma. Näib, et kõik võib korda saada, kuni päevani, mil neid tabab tragöödia ning Bennettid seisavad silmitsi sellega, mida tegelikult tähendab armastada – ja olla perekond.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Young Adult

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Kevin Milne was born in 1973 and grew up in Sherwood, Oregon, a quiet country town south of Portland. He earned a diploma from Sherwood High school in 1991, in a graduating class of fewer than one hundred students.

In college, after studying such varied fields as film, journalism, communications, pre-dentistry, pre-law, and German, Milne eventually earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Brigham Young University. One of the few things he didn’t study as an undergrad was business, which, ironically, is what he chose to pursue in graduate school, earning an MBA at Penn State University in 2000.

Today, Kevin is a business professional by day, an author by night, and a husband and father around the clock. He and his wife, Rebecca, were married in Washington DC in 1995. They have five children.

Reviews

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when seventeen-year-old Ann Bennett believed she had everything going for her and she was truly at the top of her game, disaster struck that would change not only her life but the lives of her entire family. As a high school competitive swimmer Ann had hoped to clinch her final meet and show everyone just how good she really was. The butterflies she was used to feeling as nerves before each race, never bothered her until they began to attack her check and begin to bite as she was way ahead of all the other swimmers. It was at that moment that Ann died.

When the EMS crew revived her, tests would indicate that Ann had congenital cardiomyopathy, a defect she has had her whole life. It was the strain of swimming that caused her to have a seizure in the pool and then she went into cardiac arrest. She was truly lucky to be alive. But when Ann had hoped that she could be treated for the heart issue, she was dealt another hand of fate. She needed a heart transplant or she would die while possibly waiting for one. Each day until she received one, would truly be a wait and see game. A miracle. A day to be thankful for.

The strain is was having on her entire family was more than she could bear. Her parents decided to utilize the family beach house in Cannon Beach as a way to get away from everything and hopefully find a way to get back to some sense of normal if that was possible. Her parents were barely on speaking terms and were using the weekend as family time, while her dad would stay in the city during the week and work. It was a separation to see if they could work things out somehow and provide some peace to all their fighting when they were together.

Ann's youngest sister, Bree and her brother Cade were growing tired of all the special treatment Ann was getting having to pick up doing her chores so she could rest and not be strained in any way. While her brother looked forward to spending the entire summer at the beach, her sister Bree was more than resentful at having to give up her time with friends this summer just for Ann's sake. However instead of making things better, the in-fighting between everyone was simply growing out of control. It seems like nothing will help heal them until Emily, Ann's mother finds her grandmother's journals that outline the details of the success of their marriage. Quite simply, everyone must be willing to play The Winner's Game. But will there be enough time to restore what's broken in their family before fate intervenes for the last time?

I received The Winner's Game by Kevin Alan Milne compliments of Center Street Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. This is such an amazing story because of the depth Kevin goes through to show the feelings each of the family members is dealing with as each chapter rotates among all five. We get a sense of how they are dealing not only with the mortality facing them with Ann's heart, but also in coming to terms with how to move forward despite all the overwhelming odds working against them. Parents are fighting, kids are fighting, and Ann simply wants to be a normal girl for just the summer without people treating her any different. Is that even possible? I love the concept of the winner's game so much that we have incorporated it into our family. It truly is a life changing game! I personally rate this novel a 5 out of 5 stars and even cried when telling my husband about it. We both teared up as I told him how it all ended. That to me is a sign of a great novel when it can pull at your heart strings!

[Louise Droz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Winner's Game reads like a Jodi Picoult novel. A family in crisis struggle with their emotions and commitment to each other. This was a quick read and I liked the setting.

[Jann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. First time I’ve read a book from this author and I really enjoyed the storyline and characters.

[Chele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, and read those whole thing in 2 sittings. The story line was interesting and the characters were relatable to my own experiences in many ways. It held my interest well and I wanted to keep reading. I really liked the concept to which the title refers--I find it intriguing and think it could be a fun and worthwhile game to try. I liked how he wrote each chapter from a different character's point of view, and they kept rotating. It is a feel good book that inspires me to be a better person.

[Melissa Rochelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a sweet book. I got a bit weary of the kids constantly quarreling with each other. Still a sweet story about a family doing their best to survive the trials that life can bring us, even unforeseen occurrences. The characters were all likable. That was nice too.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just OK

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read but seemed to start a little slow. You get to grow with the characters and try to understand why they do what they do. Great finish and would recommend!

[Abdul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy ending.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars, and then five more. I'm going to choose this when it is my turn for book club picks, and we are going to play the winner's game here this summer.

[Mary McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading this author and I would definitely read more. Flowed easily. Each chapter was a different character's point of view. Family in crisis struggles with things they can control and things they cannot. I think everyone can relate to this. Funny, tear jerking, maddening, a great read.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Kevin Alan Milne for writing one of the most inspiring and heartfelt novels I’ve ever read .

[Ann Frese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great uplifting family book with a bit of faith connection.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a tear jerker. It has such great insights and is well worth reading.

[Norma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it okay, but it seemed a little “young” for me, like it should’ve been listed in the Young Adult/Teen section of the library.

[Frank Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. It makes you think about the relationships in your life and how they important they are.

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly good book with a great message on what love should look like. Highly recommend.

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot more than “One Good Thing.”

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin Milne has penned a deeply moving story, one that explores the true meaning of love and family and left me with a strong sense of hope. The characters are beautifully developed, and I enjoyed moving between the different points of views of the different family members. The actions of Cade and Bree left me laughing many a time, while Ann's humanness and struggles and ultimately bravery left me inspired. Just when I thought I'd figured out where the story was headed, the author threw in a twist and things ended up even better than I expected! The idea of "The Winner's Game" is a brilliant one and I'd honestly like to give this concept a try in my own family with my wife and children. Milne does a great job at depicting the struggles any of our marriages can face, and how it can be all too easy for couples to grow emotionally distant and start cracking under the strain of life's challenges. The author doesn't paint an unrealistic picture of a marriage magically being repaired. Rather, he shows how commitment and hard work (albeit rewarding) can pay off to turn things around. In an age where divorce has become the first reaction couples have to stress in their marriage, this book serves as a beautiful reminder that there is another, and better, way.

"The Winner's Game" will not only provide you with a few hours of enjoyable reading, but will remind you of all the blessings family has to offer as well. I strongly recommend this well-written novel, and award it 4 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher for the purposes of this unbiased review.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very emotional, but thought provoking book about what it means to truly love one another.

Milne’s sweet, simple tale will remind readers of the importance of family and faithfulness. This novel pulls at the heart strings, yet never ventures too far into sappy territory. The characters are relatable and real, and the Oregon coast setting is spectacular.
Seventeen-year-old Ann Bennett’s life-threatening heart condition is beginning to wear on her family, particularly her siblings, who feel that she gets all the attention. Her parents’ marriage is unraveling, and the family decides to take a trip to the Oregon coast for the summer to rest while they wait for a heart transplant donor. The vacation starts out anything but restful as everyone is at each other’s throats. It’s only when they learn about their great-grandmother’s “winner’s game” that the family begins to come together again.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so good. the girl almost drowned in a swimming competition, her heart was bad and she needed a transplant. her parents werent getting along good, she had a younger brother and sister

her grandma was in the nursing home, they went to spend the summer at the grandmas beach house. she met a boy working in the candy store and he was her first date and first kiss

the mom found out the grandma and grandpa had a game, who ever was nicest won. she got the 3 kids to play as they were always so mean to each other

the brother got swept out to sea, the sister with the bad heart went in and saved him. when the ambulance was called for her, her sister, who went to get the boyfriend, was hit by a car. the ambulance took both of them to the hospital. they were afraid they would have to use the sisters heart for the transplant but a motorcycle driver gave his heart and both sisters recovered

the parents got along better too

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stress and more stress as the Bennett family hopes and waits for a new heart for oldest daughter, Ann. The story is told from the point-of-view of each of the family members: Dell, Emily, Ann, Bree and Cade. Each person experiences the stress in a different way and the children each desire to just go back to a normal life. A summer change of scenery at the family home in Cannon Beach, Oregon is supposed to be a chance for them to make memories, escape from the mounting stress at their Portland home, and time for Dell and Emily to separate for a while and try to determine how much they want to fight for their marriage. We also have Emily's gramma (the home owner) in the story as a stroke victim in the nearby nursing home who is nearing her end of life. Her wisdom turns the tide for the family. It's a gripping modern story of what families in these circumstances face. You'll be rooting for them and understanding their viewpoints at the same time. Read and learn.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book and shed many tears while reading it! It's a new book which came out earlier this year. If you don't usually read Christian fiction, I suggest you still give this one a try! It doesn't 'shove' religion in your face. It tells the story of a family which is torn apart... partly because their oldest daughter, Ann, needs a heart plant or she'll die. And, partly because the parents marriage is falling apart. And, partly because the three siblings are having serious 'sibling rivalry' which is something Ann's heart can't take.

So, they go to the beach for the summer... it might be Ann's last summer and the quiet will be good for her. But, Dell, the father has to continue working. And, the great-grandmother who owns the house is dying and is suffering from memory loss.

There is so much going on in this book, but it's mainly about a family trying to heal and come together as they wait for a miracle... a new heart for Ann.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised to really enjoy this book. It didn't seem like the kind of book I would like. I thought it would be cheesy and too sentimental. And somehow despite being cheesy and sentimental I still enjoyed it.

I thought the different character viewpoints were pretty well done. To me they read like the separate voices they were supposed to be. I thought that the relationship within the family and among the siblings was pretty realistic. It was annoying at times, like brothers and sisters annoy each other, but it felt pretty true.

At the end I am a bit undecided on whether I liked how it was wrapped up or not. When the sister gets hit by the car I kind of rolled my eyes and despaired what would happen - either way in terms of a transplant. Still I think I was pretty satisfied by the ending.

[Jenn O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those fantastic books where you stay up until 1:30 a.m. to finish. You know you are going to have an early morning and you are a teary, puffy-eyed mess, but you can't help it ... just a few more pages.

Brilliant writing with terrific characters. I love the changing point of view for each chapter. It keeps the story moving and captures the attitude and perspectives of each person.

I like when a book makes you pause and take stalk if your own life; when a story challenges you to ask questions; when you find yourself wanting to underline passages and star paragraphs.

And of course I cheered out loud when one if my all time favorite movies made its own cameo in the plot!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW .... I LOVED this book!!

Its about a family thats crumbling. A husband and wife who have forgotten how to “love” each other, they have a teenage daughter with a critical heart condition, three kids who are constantly fighting with each other, and an aging grandmother who is not well. While the family spends time at the grandmas beach house, and with grandmas wisdom and her old journals ... they discover a game intended to remind them how to “love’ and appreciate each other, and how to support each other thru the good times and in times of crisis.

This book will pull at your heartstrings.

[Chickadee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I so wanted to love this book. And I tried....I really did.

I just wasn't able to connect because the story is told from constantly changing view points. I could not find a rhythm and get locked into the characters or the story.

I was so interested in the subject matter, and had high expectations from reading the back cover. Sadly, I just never seemed to find the connection I was searching for.

[Kammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story in this book, but it is written to cheesy for me to give it a very high ranking. It is full of trite sayings and explanations, do you know any 11-year-old boys who would say "light household chores?" I liked that the chapters rotate which character's perspective they are told form. But overall the book was just too cheesy, and I felt myself skimming some of the paragraphs to get to the actual story.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled through the first half of this novel. Too much contention. It made me uncomfortable (and SO thankful that my kids don't fight like that!) I enjoyed the second half more although it seemed a little cheesy and unrealistic the way every single thing worked out (starting with roses on the beach through the conclusion of the novel). I do like happy endings though....so overall, I enjoyed it.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was quite a roller coaster. First, I was irritated by the all-too-real sibling fights in the book especially since my kids are home on winter break and fighting as well. Then, the parents' fights left me feeling uneasy, then something unexpected snaps their attention away from what I already thought was going to be the tragedy in this book. I was torn at this point between wanting a happy ending and knowing real life seldom seems to wrap up tidily.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each chapter in this book is told by the different members of the family (mom, dad, two daughters and one son) so I had a hard time following who's perspective it was supposed to be. I think it would have been better as a third person narrative. I enjoyed the concept of the book, but felt that the ending was a little too sugary sweet.