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The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away: A Death that Brought the Gift of Life
‘An extraordinary true story told by a wonderful writer. I wish I could produce something as moving, engaging and beautiful as this’ Bryony Gordon
‘How do you say thank you to someone for giving you their heart? It is the greatest gift a person can ever give.’
Marc is a promising young footballers of 15, growing up in Scotland. A few hundred miles away in England, Martin is a fun-loving 16-year-old. Both are enjoying their summers when they are suddenly struck down by debilitating illnesses. Within days, the boys are close to death.
Although their paths have never crossed, their fortunes are about to be bound in the most extraordinary, intimate way. One of them will die and in doing so, he will save the other’s life.
This is a deeply powerful and dramatic story. It is extremely rare for the family of a donor to have any personal contact with the recipient of their loved one’s organ. Yet remarkably, the mothers of these two boys meet and become friends, enabling the extraordinary, bittersweet moment in which a mother who has lost her son meets the boy he saved. Reaching out and placing her palm flat against his chest, she feels the heart of her son beating away inside another. Her boy, the boy who gave his heart away.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
Hardcover
Published April 6, 2017
20 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Cole Moreton
12 books13 followersCole Moreton is a writer and broadcaster exploring who we are and what we believe in. His BBC Radio 4 series The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away won multiple awards including Best Documentary in the BBC Radio Awards, Best Writing at the World’s Best Radio Awards in New York and gold for Audio Moment of the Year at the Arias.
Cole writes for the Mail on Sunday and was named Interviewer of the Year at the Press Awards 2016, then shortlisted again in 2018. His work has appeared in the Financial Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph and The Sunday Times, and many other.
The first of Cole’s non-fiction books was Hungry For Home: A Journey To America From The Edge Of Ireland and published by Viking in 2000. This combination of journalism, travelogue and dramatised true events told the story of the evacuation of the Great Blasket Island in County Kerry and followed the journey taken by the islanders to new lives in the United States. It was shortlisted for the prestigious John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for a first book in any genre.
His second book was called My Father Was A Hero (Viking) and told the story of the men and women who returned home to London after WW2 but could not handle peace time. His third book Is God Still An Englishman? How Britain Lost Its Faith (But Found New Soul) was published by Little, Brown. It explores the dramatic changes in British culture and spirituality over the last 30 years and celebrates the possibilities for the future.
His fourth book was a retelling of the story of The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away for HarperCollins. His debut novel The Light Keeper will be published in August 2019.
Cole writes for the Mail on Sunday and was named Interviewer of the Year at the Press Awards 2016, then shortlisted again in 2018. His work has appeared in the Financial Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph and The Sunday Times, and many other.
The first of Cole’s non-fiction books was Hungry For Home: A Journey To America From The Edge Of Ireland and published by Viking in 2000. This combination of journalism, travelogue and dramatised true events told the story of the evacuation of the Great Blasket Island in County Kerry and followed the journey taken by the islanders to new lives in the United States. It was shortlisted for the prestigious John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for a first book in any genre.
His second book was called My Father Was A Hero (Viking) and told the story of the men and women who returned home to London after WW2 but could not handle peace time. His third book Is God Still An Englishman? How Britain Lost Its Faith (But Found New Soul) was published by Little, Brown. It explores the dramatic changes in British culture and spirituality over the last 30 years and celebrates the possibilities for the future.
His fourth book was a retelling of the story of The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away for HarperCollins. His debut novel The Light Keeper will be published in August 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 14, 2022
A remarkable true story of heart break & a life not lived
June 29, 2017
Review to follow
December 17, 2018
Apa yang ada di benakmu ketika mendengar transplantasi jantung? Sebuah kejaibankah? Atau malapetaka? Fakta yang ada, 80% pasien yang dapat hidup setelah melakukan operasi jantung, dan hanya 50% yang dapat bertahan hidup diatas 5 tahun, kabar yang sedikit menggembirakan untuk dunia kedokteran dan harapan bagi pasien yang menderita penyakit jantung.
Jika dahulu transplantasi hanya bisa diterima dari jenazah, di jaman modern ini, yang ingin mendonor dan masih hidup serta sehat walafiat dapat memberikan sebagian organnya, misalnya hanya jaringan jantung, hati, ginjal atau paru-paru ke penerima donor, karena beberapa organ tersebut dapat beregenerasi dan manusia tetap dapat hidup jika kehilangan salah satunya. Pendonor yang ingin memberikan seluruh organnya, hanyalah pendonor yang sudah mati batang otak, keadaan dimana seluruh organ masih berfungsi namun otaknya sudah mati.
Dalam buku 300 halaman ini, pembaca diajak untuk menyelami kehidupan dari Martin Burton (16 tahun) yang tinggal di Inggris dan Marc McCay (15 tahun) yang berada di Skotlandia, keduanya adalah anak-anak yang sehat walafiat, tampan dan kebanggaan kedua orang tua mereka. Mereka tidak mengenal satu sama lain. Namun, takdir mengikat mereka dalam cara yang tak terbayangkan. Dalam kisaran kurun waktu yang sama, Agustus 2003, keduanya mendadak sakit, yang satu terkena virus dalam jantungnya dan lainnya, terkena virus di otaknya.
“Anakku yang malang sedang diambang kematian…” – Linda McCay (Hal. 3)
“Ayo, bangun! Ayolah!” – Sue Burton (Hal. 31)
Namun, untuk menyelamatkan yang satu, harus ada yang meninggal. Ini yang membuat sang ibu dari penerima donor merasa bersalah setiap harinya. Bagaimana ia dapat bersyukur jika anaknya hidup karena ada orang lain yang mati? Bagaimana dia dapat begitu bahagia ketika ada kabar bahwa hidup anaknya dapat terselamatkan tetapi di bagian dunia lain ada seorang ibu yang harus kehilangan anaknya?
“aku memikirkan anak remaja dengan ayah ibunya yang baru kehilangan dirinya, dan merelakan jantungnya didonorkan paa orang yang sama sekali tidak mereka ketahui. Sulit kupercaya mereka sanggup melakukan hal ini. Mereka bahkan tidak mengenal kami, orang-orang semacam apa kami ini. Hadiah apa yang lebih berarti yang bisa kau berikan kepada orang lain selain kehidupan? Aku mereasa sangat bersyukur. Aku turut berduka atas kehilangan mereka,…” (Hal. 114)
Umumnya dan bijaksananya keluarga pendonor dan penerima tidak dibiarkan berinteraksi secara langsung. Namun, apa jadinya jika ibu dari kedua ini dipertemukan? Apa jadinya jika sang ibu pendonor memegang dada dan merasakan jantung anaknya, jantung yang sudah ia bawa selama 9 bulan dalam kandungannya dan sekarang ada di tempat orang lain? Bagaimana kehidupan pemuda itu setelah mendapatkan donor jantung?
Sudut pandang buku diisi bergantian oleh ibu Marc dan ibu Martin. Tiap bab berjudul Marc, lalu Martin dan ada bab tentang Marc dan Martin. Ada juga sudut pandang dari dokter dan suster yang menangani, ayah, kakak serta adik mereka. Tak pernah terbayangkan bagi keduanya bahwa anak laki-laki mereka yang masih muda dan penuh dengan cita-cita harus berada di ambang kematian. Keputusasan keduanya membuat iba di hati para pembaca. Menurut mereka, tak seharusnya orang tua menguburkan anaknya.
Dengan pelukan dan kecupan terakhirnya, sang ibu berbisik di telinga anaknya dengan : “Tidurlah dengan damai. Kami mencintaimu selama-lamanya” (Hal. 104)
Kisah nyata yang sungguh menggugah hati. Kita akan terus diajak bersyukur dalam hidup bahwa setiap detiknya sangat berharga. Walaupun kita dalam titik rendah hidup, kita masih dapat menolong orang lain. Menurut saya, buku ini menjadi buku yang mengharukan dan membuat saya sedih sepanjang saya membaca buku. Tiap lembarannya menyadarkan bahwa hidup kita saling terkait dengan satu sama lainnya, maka berbuat baiklah selagi kita hidup.
“Dia terpilih untuk memiliki jantung pemuda lain. Dia hidup sebagai sang juara, tak mengenal lelah…” (Hal. 300)
Jika dahulu transplantasi hanya bisa diterima dari jenazah, di jaman modern ini, yang ingin mendonor dan masih hidup serta sehat walafiat dapat memberikan sebagian organnya, misalnya hanya jaringan jantung, hati, ginjal atau paru-paru ke penerima donor, karena beberapa organ tersebut dapat beregenerasi dan manusia tetap dapat hidup jika kehilangan salah satunya. Pendonor yang ingin memberikan seluruh organnya, hanyalah pendonor yang sudah mati batang otak, keadaan dimana seluruh organ masih berfungsi namun otaknya sudah mati.
Dalam buku 300 halaman ini, pembaca diajak untuk menyelami kehidupan dari Martin Burton (16 tahun) yang tinggal di Inggris dan Marc McCay (15 tahun) yang berada di Skotlandia, keduanya adalah anak-anak yang sehat walafiat, tampan dan kebanggaan kedua orang tua mereka. Mereka tidak mengenal satu sama lain. Namun, takdir mengikat mereka dalam cara yang tak terbayangkan. Dalam kisaran kurun waktu yang sama, Agustus 2003, keduanya mendadak sakit, yang satu terkena virus dalam jantungnya dan lainnya, terkena virus di otaknya.
“Anakku yang malang sedang diambang kematian…” – Linda McCay (Hal. 3)
“Ayo, bangun! Ayolah!” – Sue Burton (Hal. 31)
Namun, untuk menyelamatkan yang satu, harus ada yang meninggal. Ini yang membuat sang ibu dari penerima donor merasa bersalah setiap harinya. Bagaimana ia dapat bersyukur jika anaknya hidup karena ada orang lain yang mati? Bagaimana dia dapat begitu bahagia ketika ada kabar bahwa hidup anaknya dapat terselamatkan tetapi di bagian dunia lain ada seorang ibu yang harus kehilangan anaknya?
“aku memikirkan anak remaja dengan ayah ibunya yang baru kehilangan dirinya, dan merelakan jantungnya didonorkan paa orang yang sama sekali tidak mereka ketahui. Sulit kupercaya mereka sanggup melakukan hal ini. Mereka bahkan tidak mengenal kami, orang-orang semacam apa kami ini. Hadiah apa yang lebih berarti yang bisa kau berikan kepada orang lain selain kehidupan? Aku mereasa sangat bersyukur. Aku turut berduka atas kehilangan mereka,…” (Hal. 114)
Umumnya dan bijaksananya keluarga pendonor dan penerima tidak dibiarkan berinteraksi secara langsung. Namun, apa jadinya jika ibu dari kedua ini dipertemukan? Apa jadinya jika sang ibu pendonor memegang dada dan merasakan jantung anaknya, jantung yang sudah ia bawa selama 9 bulan dalam kandungannya dan sekarang ada di tempat orang lain? Bagaimana kehidupan pemuda itu setelah mendapatkan donor jantung?
Sudut pandang buku diisi bergantian oleh ibu Marc dan ibu Martin. Tiap bab berjudul Marc, lalu Martin dan ada bab tentang Marc dan Martin. Ada juga sudut pandang dari dokter dan suster yang menangani, ayah, kakak serta adik mereka. Tak pernah terbayangkan bagi keduanya bahwa anak laki-laki mereka yang masih muda dan penuh dengan cita-cita harus berada di ambang kematian. Keputusasan keduanya membuat iba di hati para pembaca. Menurut mereka, tak seharusnya orang tua menguburkan anaknya.
Dengan pelukan dan kecupan terakhirnya, sang ibu berbisik di telinga anaknya dengan : “Tidurlah dengan damai. Kami mencintaimu selama-lamanya” (Hal. 104)
Kisah nyata yang sungguh menggugah hati. Kita akan terus diajak bersyukur dalam hidup bahwa setiap detiknya sangat berharga. Walaupun kita dalam titik rendah hidup, kita masih dapat menolong orang lain. Menurut saya, buku ini menjadi buku yang mengharukan dan membuat saya sedih sepanjang saya membaca buku. Tiap lembarannya menyadarkan bahwa hidup kita saling terkait dengan satu sama lainnya, maka berbuat baiklah selagi kita hidup.
“Dia terpilih untuk memiliki jantung pemuda lain. Dia hidup sebagai sang juara, tak mengenal lelah…” (Hal. 300)
June 7, 2019
Linda berdoa, siapa tahu ada seseorang disana yang meninggal karena kecelakaan. Mungkin terdengar tidak manusiawi, bukan karena menginginkan kematian seseorang yang bisa menyelamatkan nyawa anaknya. Tidak, Linda hanya ingin anaknya bisa terselamatkan, bisa hidup lebih lama dibanding dirinya.
.
Namun begitulah rencana Allah. Di Inggris, kematian seseorang ditandai dengan matinya batang otak. Jika otak sudah dinyatakan mati, maka berita kematian boleh dikeluarkan. Alat-alat medis penunjang kehidupan boleh dilepaskan, organ-organ yang masih sehat bisa didonorkan.
.
.
Itulah yang menimpa Martin, anak Sue. Perdarahan hebat menyerang otaknya, hingga menekan fungsi batang otak dan yang lainnya. Perdarahannya begitu hebat dan parah, hingga dokter ahli pun tak mampu lagi berbuat apa-apa.
.
Kerelaan Sue dan keluarganya akhirnya berujung pada organ-organ Martin yang didonorkan pada orang-orang yang membutuhkan. Termasuk untuk Marc, anak seusianya di daerah Skotlandia yang tengah sekarat karena menderita pembengkakan jantung.
.
Pada akhirnya, Marc bertahan hidup dengan jantung Martin di dalam dadanya. Dokter menyatakan kurang lebih hidupnya bisa diperpanjang hingga satu tahun ke depan.
Benarkah?
.
Sampai kapankah Marc dapat hidup dengan jantung Martin dalam tubuhnya?
Bagaimana Linda dan Sue, dua ibu yang mengalami hal buruk yang sama ini dipertemukan? Mengingat Rumah Sakit pasti menyembunyikan identitas pendonor dan penerima donor demi kebaikan bersama di masa depan.
Novel ini dramatis banget, kisah nyata yang disajikan benar-benar membuatku bersyukur akan banyak hal.
.
Rate : 4/5
.
Author : Cole Morethon
Penerbit : Mahaka Imprint @bukurepublika Publishing.
307 halaman.
Penerjemah : Indriani Grantika
Cetakan 1, Maret 2018.
#gerakanoneweekonebook #oneweekonebook
.
Namun begitulah rencana Allah. Di Inggris, kematian seseorang ditandai dengan matinya batang otak. Jika otak sudah dinyatakan mati, maka berita kematian boleh dikeluarkan. Alat-alat medis penunjang kehidupan boleh dilepaskan, organ-organ yang masih sehat bisa didonorkan.
.
.
Itulah yang menimpa Martin, anak Sue. Perdarahan hebat menyerang otaknya, hingga menekan fungsi batang otak dan yang lainnya. Perdarahannya begitu hebat dan parah, hingga dokter ahli pun tak mampu lagi berbuat apa-apa.
.
Kerelaan Sue dan keluarganya akhirnya berujung pada organ-organ Martin yang didonorkan pada orang-orang yang membutuhkan. Termasuk untuk Marc, anak seusianya di daerah Skotlandia yang tengah sekarat karena menderita pembengkakan jantung.
.
Pada akhirnya, Marc bertahan hidup dengan jantung Martin di dalam dadanya. Dokter menyatakan kurang lebih hidupnya bisa diperpanjang hingga satu tahun ke depan.
Benarkah?
.
Sampai kapankah Marc dapat hidup dengan jantung Martin dalam tubuhnya?
Bagaimana Linda dan Sue, dua ibu yang mengalami hal buruk yang sama ini dipertemukan? Mengingat Rumah Sakit pasti menyembunyikan identitas pendonor dan penerima donor demi kebaikan bersama di masa depan.
Novel ini dramatis banget, kisah nyata yang disajikan benar-benar membuatku bersyukur akan banyak hal.
.
Rate : 4/5
.
Author : Cole Morethon
Penerbit : Mahaka Imprint @bukurepublika Publishing.
307 halaman.
Penerjemah : Indriani Grantika
Cetakan 1, Maret 2018.
#gerakanoneweekonebook #oneweekonebook
July 3, 2021
"Dia terpilih untuk memiliki jantung pemuda lain. Dia hidup bagai sang juara, tak mengenal kalah.."
Sangat sedih dan tersentuh dengan kisah pendonor dan resipien transplantasi organ ini.
Bagaimana keluarga pendonor dapat mencoba untuk ikhlas menerima keadaan yang sangat mendadak dan tetap sanggup memberikan keputusan yang menghasilkan kebaikan kepada orang lain saat mereka sendiri harus menghadapi musibah.
Bagaimana keluarga resipien dapat tetap bertahan menghadapi musibah tanpa kehilangan harapan dan mencoba untuk menerima anugerah yang diberikan kepada mereka tanpa harus menanggung rasa bersalah atas apa yang terjadi kepada keluarga pendonor.
Momen paling menyentuh yaitu saat pertemuan Ibu pendonor dan sang resipien. My heart... :")
Buku ini disampaikan dengan narasi dan hasil dari wawancara penulis dengan keluarga pendonor, keluarga resipien, dan orang-orang yang terkait. Sangat nyata dan sangat dekat.
Teringat dengan serial dystopia Unwind yang banyak terinspirasi dari kisah nyata seperti Martin dan Marc ini.
Teringat dengan serial drama korea Hospital Playlist yang menggambarkan operasi-operasi transplantasi organ.
Sangat sedih dan tersentuh dengan kisah pendonor dan resipien transplantasi organ ini.
Bagaimana keluarga pendonor dapat mencoba untuk ikhlas menerima keadaan yang sangat mendadak dan tetap sanggup memberikan keputusan yang menghasilkan kebaikan kepada orang lain saat mereka sendiri harus menghadapi musibah.
Bagaimana keluarga resipien dapat tetap bertahan menghadapi musibah tanpa kehilangan harapan dan mencoba untuk menerima anugerah yang diberikan kepada mereka tanpa harus menanggung rasa bersalah atas apa yang terjadi kepada keluarga pendonor.
Momen paling menyentuh yaitu saat pertemuan Ibu pendonor dan sang resipien. My heart... :")
Buku ini disampaikan dengan narasi dan hasil dari wawancara penulis dengan keluarga pendonor, keluarga resipien, dan orang-orang yang terkait. Sangat nyata dan sangat dekat.
Teringat dengan serial dystopia Unwind yang banyak terinspirasi dari kisah nyata seperti Martin dan Marc ini.
Teringat dengan serial drama korea Hospital Playlist yang menggambarkan operasi-operasi transplantasi organ.
July 12, 2017
I received this book free through GoodReads
The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away is a wonderfully written book that moved me to tears many times.
The families involved were faced with the most heartbreaking situations that any parent can face.
When tragedy struck one family, amidst all their grief they made the selfless decision of organ donation and this true story walks you through that process.
This book allows you to understand the process from all perspectives. Not only from the donors family but also the medical staff involved and the recipients of the organs and their families.
I feel blessed to have read this book and now understand things about organ donation that I didn't truly appreciate before. It has opened up many conversations with my loved ones regarding organ donation, which we had never discussed before and for that I am thankful.
My eyes have been totally opened and my views on organ donation have very much changed.
This book is a must read.
The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away is a wonderfully written book that moved me to tears many times.
The families involved were faced with the most heartbreaking situations that any parent can face.
When tragedy struck one family, amidst all their grief they made the selfless decision of organ donation and this true story walks you through that process.
This book allows you to understand the process from all perspectives. Not only from the donors family but also the medical staff involved and the recipients of the organs and their families.
I feel blessed to have read this book and now understand things about organ donation that I didn't truly appreciate before. It has opened up many conversations with my loved ones regarding organ donation, which we had never discussed before and for that I am thankful.
My eyes have been totally opened and my views on organ donation have very much changed.
This book is a must read.
April 19, 2025
I've had read this book a long time ago. I read the translated book into indonesian because i haven't studied English yet (it's difficult to read even in indonesian. Cuz, its too complex)
This book give me so many knowledge. I actually have forgotten some part of the stories. But there is a part of story i remember the most.
A knowledge that a "real death" is not a cardiac arrest (can still cause a death an not) or the others, but it's a "brain death". It's like, they have no longer chance of recorvery even the other organs are still working. As an 12 yo girl (i'm 16 now), i once didn't believe this fact (shocked), like whyyy? but yeah that's the fact i should accept. And i really thank the book for such an insightful lesson.
And there are many lessons on this books that can be learnt.
And i really appreciate for the mom, it's sadfulz story. And this book is wonderful.
Thank you. Correct me if there's a mistake on my writing, cuz i'm still learning English.
This book give me so many knowledge. I actually have forgotten some part of the stories. But there is a part of story i remember the most.
A knowledge that a "real death" is not a cardiac arrest (can still cause a death an not) or the others, but it's a "brain death". It's like, they have no longer chance of recorvery even the other organs are still working. As an 12 yo girl (i'm 16 now), i once didn't believe this fact (shocked), like whyyy? but yeah that's the fact i should accept. And i really thank the book for such an insightful lesson.
And there are many lessons on this books that can be learnt.
And i really appreciate for the mom, it's sadfulz story. And this book is wonderful.
Thank you. Correct me if there's a mistake on my writing, cuz i'm still learning English.
May 7, 2017
The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away
By Cole Moreton
Indescribably moving true story of two boys and their parents. Both children were critically sick, but only one would survive. In order for Marc to survive, Martin's heart was transplanted into the body of Marc who's enlarged heart was failing.
Several years later the two families met, and Sue placed her hand against Marc's chest and felt Martin's heart beating away.
As a mother who has lost a son myself, I can imagine some of the pain they went through - no parent should have to bury their own child. It's the hardest thing in the world I've ever had to do.
By Cole Moreton
Indescribably moving true story of two boys and their parents. Both children were critically sick, but only one would survive. In order for Marc to survive, Martin's heart was transplanted into the body of Marc who's enlarged heart was failing.
Several years later the two families met, and Sue placed her hand against Marc's chest and felt Martin's heart beating away.
As a mother who has lost a son myself, I can imagine some of the pain they went through - no parent should have to bury their own child. It's the hardest thing in the world I've ever had to do.
November 4, 2025
Aku berkali-kali nangis baca buku ini. Ini kisah nyata ya, dokumenter yg dibukukan. Jadi alurnya flat aja sebenarnya, lebih ke eksplore perasaan masing2 orangtua pendonor & penerima donor. Tp karena aku udh kehilangan ibu & kakakku (krn kanker & pecah pembuluh darah), jadi aku ngerti bgt perasaan para orgtua di buku ini ketika menunggui anaknya di RS. Bagian paling nyesek adalah ketika anaknya dinyatakan meninggal, langsung teringat ke momen2 dimana aku kehilangan 2 org yg paling kusayangi.. 😢
Di samping itu, banyak dpt ilmu baru juga dari buku ini berkaitan dgn transplantasi dan dunia medis. Rate 3,7/5.
Di samping itu, banyak dpt ilmu baru juga dari buku ini berkaitan dgn transplantasi dan dunia medis. Rate 3,7/5.
April 5, 2018
Wow! I work for a children's heart charity so perhaps found this more fascinating than some people would. However my dad also found it very moving without having a particular interest in the subject matter. Two boys and both seriously ill and the journey the families face for survival or death. Truly amazing to hear both sides of the journey and live through the emotions. Heart transplants are a medical miracle and the book really moved me.
February 8, 2019
The book is written using interviews with all those involved in the story, which was very interesting and informative. You learn so much about what goes into heart, or any organ, transplant & how it's not as simple as giving the patient a new heart, but all the aftercare & realistic expectancy too.
Such an amazing & life changing book, which had me crying a few times.
Would definitely recommend, but not if you're already in a sad mood!
Such an amazing & life changing book, which had me crying a few times.
Would definitely recommend, but not if you're already in a sad mood!
May 16, 2023
This has been a very different read than I expected. I thought it was going to be more fictional than a biopic style of writing.
The thought of two families affected so with the loss of one son giving life to another was heartbreaking to read but also inspirational. Both the mothers so strong at such a hard time .
It wasn't as emotive as I thought it would be but the story of Marc and Martin was sympathetically written.
The thought of two families affected so with the loss of one son giving life to another was heartbreaking to read but also inspirational. Both the mothers so strong at such a hard time .
It wasn't as emotive as I thought it would be but the story of Marc and Martin was sympathetically written.
May 22, 2021
I didn’t like the idea of heart transplants before. And now I like them even less. HUGE amounts of money were spent on transplanting organs into people who subsequently died and although the heart receiver had more years they were mostly poor quality & his death was merely prolonged.
Poorly written too.
Poorly written too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2017
Gripping and so powerfully emotional I found myself putting the book down to dry my eyes. Left me questioning my own thoughts on the whole organ donation thing and asking others too for theirs. A powerful and dramatic true story that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
May 27, 2020
A very heartwarming true account of 2 boys. One gave his heart to the other. It’s the story of how powerful organ donership can be for both families. Lovely account from both families. You might need a tissue.
May 25, 2024
A real Life story which will break your heart and give you hope. It was interesting to learn about how it all works (transplants) and some more of the technical miracles and dedicated drs and nurses involved in this process.
June 28, 2017
unbelievable book .. read this .. have a moment and then sign up to donate ... you will either save lives or help the research to do it.
June 22, 2017
An extraordinary story beautifully & sensitively told. The writing is not at all oversentimental (which it easily could be) and allows the story to shine
August 5, 2017
Organ donation about martin and Marc . so sad .
September 2, 2017
Thank you Cole for writing this book. I could honestly hear your voice telling me the story. The way you have written it is just how you speak. I loved it even more for that. I wept at all the significant moments but the big one was in the station at their first meet. I managed to read it in 3 days which for me is outstanding! Thank you for sharing this story and for bringing these families into our lives. Simply beautiful xx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2018
A very well written account of the transplant journey, for the donor and recipient. Engaging and moving.
July 29, 2018
Thank god I am done with this book. It ruined me, and I will never read it again. Five stars, despite breaking my heart over and over.
December 13, 2018
I caught the tail end of a radio interview about this book and having knowledge of heart transplants I was keen to read it.
It's excellent, well written and definitely not all doom and gloom.
It's excellent, well written and definitely not all doom and gloom.
January 9, 2021
I don’t know the pain of losing a child is so unbearable to handle. This book made me think back of my parents. My deepest condolences to Marc and Martin. They both now have each other
January 5, 2022
A very touching book.
July 11, 2022
Learned a lot from this book. I had to stop reading it every 2 chapters because it was so heartbreaking for me, so I needed a breath.
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April 3, 2024This is heartbreaking
April 9, 2024
Such a beautiful and moving book exploring the story of two boys as well as the importance of organ donation
October 5, 2024
This book is really good.. thank you for writing this amazing story very very well.. 🥹🥹🙏
May 13, 2017
Received as part of a Good reads Giveaway. A well written book about loss and chance to help others through organ donation. Despite the subject matter its not overly sentimental.
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