Double Helix

by Eileen Merriman

A gripping new medical drama from the bestselling author of The Silence of Snow.

Would you want to know what awaits you? Would you want to be in control of your life . . . and death? What would you do for love?

'Sooner or later, willingly or unwillingly, he’s going to leave you.'

The words cut deep. Emily knows Jake is not like his father; he’d never leave her willingly. But if he has inherited his mother's genes, then Huntington’s disease is more than likely to take him away. He may even make the same request his mother made, when Jake was still a teenager: to end the suffering for good.

Genres: Medical

368 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2021

About the author

Eileen Merriman works full-time as a consultant haematologist at North Shore Hospital. Her writing has appeared in a number of national and international journals and anthologies, including Smokelong Quarterly, The Island Review, Literary Orphans, the Bath Short Story Award Anthology 2015, the Sunday Star-Times, F(r)iction, takahe, Headland and Flash Frontier. Her first novel was Pieces of You, with reviewers calling it 'compulsively readable' and 'compelling, challenging, and heartbreaking'. It was a 2018 Storylines Notable Book and, along with her second novel, it was shortlisted for the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Her other awards include runner-up in the 2018 Sunday Star-Times Short Story Award, third for three consecutive years in the 2014-2016 Sunday Star-Times Short Story Awards, second in the 2015 Bath Flash Fiction Award, commended in the 2015 Bath Short Story Competition, and first place in the 2015 Graeme Lay Short Story Competition.

Reviews

[Klee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would you want to know what awaits you? Would you want to be in control of your life . . . and death? What would you do for love?

Jake's family have the Huntingdons gene. We meet Jake returned to Dunedin, New Zealand, years after the death of his mother. He is an aspiring doctor who rekindles a relationship with his ex-neighbour and high school sweetheart (of sorts), Emily. The narrative delves into the complexity of dealing with hereditary diseases - to know or not to know? Understandably, we see Jake and Emily struggle with this question and it is an underlying stressor in their relationship.

This book isn't just about the complexities of hereditary illness, its about the reality of life and how we can't take anything for granted. It's really hard not to provide spoilers for this one, there really is a lot going on, but this book really is a journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and the value of loving and supporting others. It also provides some social commentary on hospital life (over-worked doctors and nurses and staff helllloooooo) and of indigenous healthcare inequities.

I loved Jake and Emily. The relationship had a real genuine feel to it. They made me remember how horrible relationships are in your late teens and early 20s lol! The journey they undertake on his decision to be tested for the genetic disease really rung true. In terms of the plot pace, the beginning was a bit of a slow burn. Then the tempo ramped up in the middle and had me on the edge of my seat! While the ending was a meandering, bittersweet finale that couldn't have ended any other way.

This is a love story, tangled in a medical drama, wrapped in an ethical dilemma most people won't have to consider.

Death comes to us all, right? It’s how you live what you have left that counts.”

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Well jeepers if this book didn't break me apart and not really piece me back together. That ending threw me off. I wish it didn't happen with those two specific people, but I'm glad it did happen. I have no idea how I'd handle all of the shit Jake and Emily went through! And I didn't really vibe with their relationship.. It felt forced and like they were staying because it was easier, but then I hear about how Jake felt about Emily and it felt right. This book was so different to anything I've read before, and while I didn't cry, I did well up. This is what I like out of books! Emotion (just not annoying character emotion)

[Shanae Pool · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heavy read but I really enjoyed it. I loved the characters so much and really enjoyed that the novel was set in locations I knew. It did make it feel a lot more emotionally jarring though, simply because it felt like people I could very easily know. I love Eileen Merriman's work and it makes me very happy that as I have grown up (not much lol) the target age for her novels has grown with me.

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this author and the way she pulls the heart strings! I did feel that the last quarter was rushed and I would have liked to know more

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahhh this book was such a roller coaster 😵😵 this story of Jake and Emily’s life spanning over ten years truly got me straight in the heart. I have not read a medical based story in such a long time so I enjoyed picking this one up! This was a surprisingly easy read, despite the heavy content I easily flew through the 360 odd pages and I really enjoyed how the story skipped forward in time and showed us Jake and Emily’s life over so many years. There were some definite shocking moments (part 3 anyone!!) but it was never over the top but with just enough story to keep this from being too slow-paced for me. Overall I really enjoyed this readalong and would definitely recommend picking this one up if you enjoy medical-dramas and romance - just make sure you check the trigger warnings first as this is not a light read! ✨✨

[Chloe Fergusson-Tibble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Double Helix by Eileen Merriman is dramatic, busy, and thrilling. It’s deliciously Aotearoa. The story is told from the perspective of Jake and Emily who are childhood friends and neighbours. After an important event binds them together it’s easy to see how their love for one another develops.

Jakes mother has Huntington’s disease and Jake spends a lot of time wondering about his own genes and whether this has been passed on to him. Growing up, harbouring a secret, deciding whether to start a family, choices around end of life, messy whānau relationships, losing those you love and moving on, and navigating the stresses of being a doctor are massive themes in the book. A lot happens and at times it felt like I wouldn’t be able to handle another plot twist or surprise.

The characters overcame many obstacles and were developed amongst various stressful events. I didn’t love all of them but I felt a lot of aroha toward their experiences. The use of inner dialogue was important to keep the story moving at the fast pace. Jake was a certain kind of special. With his surfboard, calm nature and love for others he was easily my favourite.

There were a few things that felt off such as the use of “methinks,” “cuz in law,” students using pens to take notes, and hikers using flares. But these were minor stylistic details and overall this story was well crafted and I enjoyed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the weaving of Māori culture through characters, belief systems, whānau, and health inequities. I acknowledge Eileen for bringing these narratives into this New Zealand story. Sometimes non Māori authors steer clear of weaving our culture into stories and I’m so glad you didn’t. Ngā mihi nui ki a koe, Eileen.

I definitely recommend this novel and her other medical novel The Silence of Snow if you haven’t read it yet. You won’t be disappointed and I wouldn’t be surprised if you can’t put them down!

Thanks @penguinbooksnz for sending me this copy and @tandemcollectiveglobal for the #doublehelixreadalong / PR product
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#kiwibooks #kiwiauthors #medicaldrama #doublehelix #nzlit #nzfiction #genes #womenreading #eileenmerrieman

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pros: The book touched on lots of heavy but interesting topics (genetic diseases, euthanasia, palliative care, abortion, death of a loved one etc) which I enjoyed. Despite the heavy content it was a pretty easy read and I was invested enough in the characters to always want to know what would happen next.

Cons: Some of it felt a bit rushed and like the author was trying to pack all of the tragedy into one book. In some cases an issue was raised and then resolved within the same chapter so there was no time to really care about it.

[Shelley Mcconnel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel worked for me. a story written by a Dr who knows NZ health system . Knows Dunedin med school as well as cultural differences Dunedin verses Northland.Maori compared to medical families and sad genetic conditions Huntingtons. Not sure how it feel reading this book to someone else .But very personal and well done for me.

[Josie Stonyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good plot, alludes to important issues as in her other books. Ending slightly predictable!

[Sunflower · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a strange feeling to read a book which not only is set where I live, but also clearly written by someone who went to the same Medical school. It is also very contemporary- from the tunes mentioned, to the surfing sites. This is one of those books that is light enough to be read in a day, although the subject matter at times covers some serious topics. Good weekend read.

[Patricia Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is so well written, and the characters made me feel deeply as the story was very heavy at times. Several times I was in tears. But crying is good...even over fictional characters.

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and Emily have a secret, one that would ruin everything if anyone ever found out. When they reconnect after three years apart, it's like nothing changed except everything may change. Jake's family has a history of Huntington's disease, a terrible neurological disease that is caused by a series of repeats hidden in DNA. He faces the difficult decision of knowing if he is carrying the genes for the same disease that took his mother's life or if he can go on not knowing.

This book was phenomenal! I loved every second of it and really loved how fast-paced it was! I felt very connected to these characters, especially since they attended the same university as me and the student culture was described perfectly! It was oddly comforting and took me back to a time in my life that made me very happy! This book also really did it for me because I'm a genetics major and have a soft side for genetic counseling which was touched on in this book. There was also just enough "sciency jargon" given to make enough sense to what was going on without it being too overwhelming which I think is really good for readers that have very little background.

This book brought up a lot of questions around euthanasia and the impact of knowing whether you are likely to get a terminal illness such as Huntington's disease. These topics are so important to acknowledge and I'm really glad that these topics are discussed more. While I really wanted this book to ruin me, I'm really glad it didn’t and am really satisfied with how this one wrapped up. There were so many twists and turns and really didn't know where we were going next!

Thank you to Tandem Collective Global and Penguin Books NZ for gifting me a copy of this incredible book and hosting an awesome read-along for myself and my fellow Kiwi's! Also thank you to Eileen for writing an incredible book and taking the time to chat with us about the book! Definitely check this one out!

[chooksandbooksnz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Double Helix - Eileen Merriman

True to Eileen Merriman’s usual writing style- a brief summary would be: suck you in and attach you to the characters, present you with a very challenging moral dilemma and then destroy you emotionally 😂.

This is my third book by her and without a doubt she puts up a good case between what’s right and wrong and who gets to define this (spoiler alert it’s never easy).

We go on a long journey spanning roughly 10 years with Jake and Emily that explores life and death, medical school and being a doctor, hereditary disease, euthanasia, relationships and fate. This book is a stark reminder of how fragile and precious life is and how unpredictable it can be.

Throughout the book both Jake and Emily experience immense pressure and have fragile mental states for many reasons. This constantly makes it feel like you are treading on eggshells and that things could take a turn for the worst at any minute.

I was prepared to be emotionally destroyed and although it did pull on my heart strings and I had slightly leaky eyes- it didn’t quite get me like The Silence of Snow (in which I sobbed uncontrollably for 30mins- if you haven’t read this I highly recommend!).

I love how she addressed Māori culture and health inequities/outcomes throughout. These weren’t covered in great detail but in a way that acknowledged them and made you think about the bigger picture. One thing I wasn’t such a huge fan of was the constant song references as they felt cliché but I also get these were a way to connect the story to the timeline the book was set in. However I was easily able to look past this and still enjoy the book!

This is another medical/domestic drama hybrid that covers some difficult situations, is well paced, gripping and easy to read. Truly the perfect summer read.

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨


Thanks to my lovely friend Chloe …… for sending me a copy and supporting my medical drama book additiction. Nga Mihi e hoa 💕

[Jenthebookishbakernz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Tandem collective global and Penguin books NZ for the review copy of Double helix.

This book is a rollercoaster of emotions. The story is told from two points of view, former childhood neighbours Jake and Emily who reconnect at medical school as young adults after 3 years with no contact. The story switches points of view between the pair plus it also jumps back and forth between different years in the 21st century giving you a lot of backstory on the two characters. The story begins in 2019 when Jake is 34 but then quickly jumps back to 2007. It also jumps between a few different locations in New Zealand (mostly Dunedin and Whangarei) and in Australian throughout the story. To me Jake is the emotional heart of the story. By his early 20's he's already lost his mother and uncle to Huntington's disease and is living with the very real possibility that he could also develop the disease and yet he chooses to become a doctor and tries to help people even with some serious losses and very real fears for his future hanging over his head.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been in a bit of a reading funk. Twitter has been stealing my reading time and somehow I’ve struggled to find a book that has caught me and not let go all year.

It’s therefore a surprise that it’s this one that bought me back to my self and reading. It grabbed me and held on tight. Perhaps it’s because it was local, I knew the places, the language both medical and Te reo (it’s so obvious the author has been a house officer, registrar etc). The Dunedin, Whangarei and Melbourne were all as I’ve experienced so too were the wards, hospitals, drug charts, ward rounds and protocols. Maybe it’s like some kind of comfort read to know things phenomenologically? Whatever it was I’m grateful.

The story arc a little predictable but hey it was nice to just be reading and be.

[Jordan Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Double Helix' by Eileen Merriman is an emotional read. The story is full of unexpected events that reflect reality in a striking way. Merriman is exceptionally skilled at keeping one hooked as information is slowly revealed. While this book could have possibly been shortened, I think it is still exceptional.

[Ruth Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this tugged at the heart strings and I didn’t see the ending coming. A dilemma in more ways than one and bringing into the open the choices faced when loved ones or our selves have a terminal illness, in this case Huntings disease. Great read

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Maybe my expectations were too high (genetics book!) but it felt a little formulaic. Character development - work stress - death - new life. I’d like to see characters past their 20s from this author, too. On the other hand I read it in a day, so there’s that.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Hard to put down and it ends in a way you would never expect, have some tissues ready.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot and themes are solid, I just felt like the writing style was nothing special. Would have loved more poetic moments rather than keeping it quite literal the whole way through.

[Helen Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story and the writing especially the twist at the end. Another enjoyable New Zealand read.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable but not as gripping as her other reads!

[Donna Blaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Beth O. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars (library book)

[Sage F · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

[Tammy D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Gabby A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Heather Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely, easy read with interesting themes & lots of relevance to what I was learning at the time. Not overly memorable however; enjoyable but will not stick with me in the way other books have.

[Rebecca Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book - always love a medical book and the fact some of it was based in Dunedin where I grew up made it all the more enjoyable. Had an amazing twist at the end too

[Charlotte Lobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a well-crafted story. Beautiful and hard-hitting all at the same time. This is one of those books that makes you stop and think. While tackling some serious themes, there were still plenty of moments of humour and fun.