The Sun Farmer: The Story of a Shocking Accident, A Medical Miracle and a Family's Life and Death Decision

by Michael McCarthy

Ted Fink's wife heard the explosion from the living room, where she sat reading the day's mail and sipping iced tea. She ran to the front door and saw a massive curling fireball. Her husband was in the flames, she was certain. She called 911, asking for help at the farm.... So begins Michael McCarthy's extraordinary portrayal of a real-life an Illinois corn farmer so badly burned in a tractor accident that only his feet, protected by his new steel-toe boots, escaped the flames. While he lay unconscious, his wife Rhoda, with no way of knowing how disabled or disfigured he would emerge from multiple surgeries, had to decide whether to allow doctors to enshroud him in a cocoon of artificial skin, or let him die. This rare and intimate story carries the reader through the Finks' agonizing experience as Ted is sedated into a coma for six months while Rhoda is left alone to contemplate this life-or-death decision. Even the possibility of saving Ted depends upon the product of laboratories at MIT, where Mr. McCarthy takes the reader to describe the long-shot development of the world's first artificial skin and the ambitious Greek chemist who refused to let his dream of inventing it die. Because this new skin enables people to survive traumas as never before, it also forces hard choices with unpredictable consequences on ordinary people. To gather scenes that are by turns wrenching, beautiful, and searing, Mr. McCarthy, who met the Finks while working on their story for the Wall Street Journal , talked with them at length over two years at their farm. His heartfelt narrative of tragedy and redemption weaves together a saga of six generations of Midwestern farmers while revealing the dark side of a nostalgic occupation bedeviled by accident and death.
For images and additional information visit the author's website

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 2007

About the author

Michael McCarthy is an English writer on the environment and the natural world. He was formerly Environment Editor for the Independent and is now its Environment Columnist.

Reviews

[Jennifer Worrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting story, but rather dull. The story is mostly written from the point of view of the victim's (Ted Fink's) wife. A few chapters seemed unnecessary; the writer is a journalist, and it seemed as though the editors thought Ted Fink's story was too short, so a few chapters of the family tree were tossed in. Also, the pacing seemed disjointed: a backstory is given for the invention of artificial skin, which is interspersed with the story of Ted and his family and the story of their hometown and family history. But one chapter of the invention's origins ends with it's demise, leaving you to wonder what happened, only to find out quite a few chapters later. One bright point: no photos of the victim. Although I was wondering about his appearance, I was glad the book didn't resort to that kind of exploitation.

[Michelle Hannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a detailed account of a horrific farm accident in Illinois in 1999. Ted Fink was moving a propane tank when it exploded and burned 98% of his body. This incredibly well-researched book details the accident, Ted’s rescue, and the struggles of the Ted and his family during the long, arduous recovery. It also follows the development and creation of the artificial skin that allowed Ted to live after the accident and how skin heals after a burn, as well as history and statistics on the farming industry and the accidents inherent in it. It was an incredibly interesting, edifying read.

[Daisy Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a man who suffered a severe burn, and how he and his family survived and coped with the aftermath. Life is often difficult, with only moments of joy — and so is making choices.

“You can’t condemn someone for making choices. You make them and you don’t know if they’re good or bad. It’s done and you hope for the best.”

[Chelsey Langland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this out to read about the invention of Integra. There wasn't enough of that here. But this was an interesting look at a farm family. I liked the big picture stuff better than the hospital narrative.

[Brigid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad but wonderful story of a man's perseverence through tragedy.

[kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad biography of a farmer burned over 95% of his body in an accident. Starts great, but gets tedious in the middle. Touching story though.

[Deborah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible story.