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Simon's Choice
"But Daddy, who will live with me in heaven?" Doctor Simon Bailey has everything a man could ever want. Then his beautiful daughter is diagnosed with Leukemia. He can almost accept her impending death. He can almost accept the fact that he will have to live without her. But he cannot stand the thought of his little girl having to face death alone. He answers her innocent question in a moment of desperation, testing his marriage, his professional judgment and his sanity to the limit. As cracks form in Simon's previously perfect family, we wonder, as do his loved ones ... will he really make the ultimate sacrifice? Combining poignant moments of both humour and pain, 'Simon's Choice' is a penetrating account of parenthood at the sharp-end.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
March 25, 2011
Pros: I found the story believeable and realistic. I loved the witty one liners. I enjoyed the family dynamics and the characters were really well written.
Cons: The way the dialogue was written got on my nerves. It was a bit too predictable and for me lacked some of the emotion for such a heavy subject manner.
Cons: The way the dialogue was written got on my nerves. It was a bit too predictable and for me lacked some of the emotion for such a heavy subject manner.
June 27, 2012
I read the first part of Simon's Choice on the writer's site, Authonomy, and once I could get my hot little hands on it, read the book in two nights. That's how good it was for me. The premise is so clever. It's such a ridiculously illogical answer to give a child, particularly when you think that most parents will try not to lie, just give the answer as tactfully as possible. But how on earth would you answer a child's desperate and scared plea for a hand to hold in the unknown world to which they're headed? Simon said what so many of us would have said and then he had to fathom out how to deal with his promise.
I really didn't know how on earth Charlotte could end the story without me being dissatisfied with whatever decision Simon made, after all, there can be no right or wrong answer in this situation. But Charlotte manages the ending beautifully; a twist I never would have dreamt of. I read Simon's Choice over a year ago, maybe two, and still remember so much about it. That's very unusual for me!
I really didn't know how on earth Charlotte could end the story without me being dissatisfied with whatever decision Simon made, after all, there can be no right or wrong answer in this situation. But Charlotte manages the ending beautifully; a twist I never would have dreamt of. I read Simon's Choice over a year ago, maybe two, and still remember so much about it. That's very unusual for me!
November 4, 2012
According to my e-reader, I read 3% of this book.
I expected to love this book. I expected it to grab me and hold my attention - given the ratings.
The descriptions of Sarah excelled - "He flinched as her face crumpled with pity as she took in Sarah's head, her skull looking as fragile as a bird's in its pinkly naked state."
However, I was disappointed. I did not expect it to make me feel like I was wasting my time.
As a RN, I care. I have worked on oncology floors and have worked with parents who have lost a child. I am familiar with real life. This was not it. This book did not grab me, or make me care.
The minimal (if any) character development was a issue for me.
The other issue was the dialogue - mindless and silly at times... If I heard "Porridge, get down" one more time, I was going to scream.
I did not finish "Simon's Choice". There are plenty of other wonderful books waiting for me to read, so I decided to move on. I hate it when this happens.
I expected to love this book. I expected it to grab me and hold my attention - given the ratings.
The descriptions of Sarah excelled - "He flinched as her face crumpled with pity as she took in Sarah's head, her skull looking as fragile as a bird's in its pinkly naked state."
However, I was disappointed. I did not expect it to make me feel like I was wasting my time.
As a RN, I care. I have worked on oncology floors and have worked with parents who have lost a child. I am familiar with real life. This was not it. This book did not grab me, or make me care.
The minimal (if any) character development was a issue for me.
The other issue was the dialogue - mindless and silly at times... If I heard "Porridge, get down" one more time, I was going to scream.
I did not finish "Simon's Choice". There are plenty of other wonderful books waiting for me to read, so I decided to move on. I hate it when this happens.
July 24, 2010
The topic of a seven year old child dying of leukemia could have come across almost as insufferably as the fictional tragedy itself, but in Ms. Castle's hands it doesn't. It comes over exceptionally powerfully, warmly, movingly, provocatively, inevitably.
There were times I could have hugged the characters and others when I could have thrown a very sharp plate at Melissa, which means that this book probably works just as well for men as for women.
This is a really involving book which is as much about the stresses and strains of modern marriage as it is about the suffering of a dying child.
It also reminded me of Winston Churchill's famous quip when a woman MP came up to him and said "Mr. Churchill, if I were your wife I would poison your food," to which Winnie replied "Ah yes, Madam, and if I were your husband I would eat it".
There were times I could have hugged the characters and others when I could have thrown a very sharp plate at Melissa, which means that this book probably works just as well for men as for women.
This is a really involving book which is as much about the stresses and strains of modern marriage as it is about the suffering of a dying child.
It also reminded me of Winston Churchill's famous quip when a woman MP came up to him and said "Mr. Churchill, if I were your wife I would poison your food," to which Winnie replied "Ah yes, Madam, and if I were your husband I would eat it".
July 23, 2010
This is am amazing story to read. You take a break from your real like to live with Simon as he goes on his journey while his daughter is dieing of cancer. Simon has told his daughter that he will go to Heaven with her. He then has to make a decision as his life is falling to pieces around him, if he will take his life to be with his daughter Sarah, or if he will continue in life. Once you start this book, its going to be impossible to put down. You feel so much emotion in this book. Be sure to read it. Its worth it. This authors will be climbing the charts and we will be seeing more of her!
April 21, 2011
What a great book. Even though it wasn't a tear-jerker for me, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The main character, Simon, was someone I connected with on a deep level. His daughter is dying and her parents and grandparents must come to terms with it. The ending was such a nice surprise that I was happy at the ending.
The main character, Simon, was someone I connected with on a deep level. His daughter is dying and her parents and grandparents must come to terms with it. The ending was such a nice surprise that I was happy at the ending.
February 20, 2013
Very touching and entirely believable.
July 27, 2010
If you haven't read this, you should!
April 10, 2020
Simon and Melissa are facing the unimaginable. Their daughter, Sarah, has leukemia and after a short remission it comes back and there is no more treatment for her. Sarah tells her father she is afraid that there will be no one for her in heaven and her father says she will go with her. I should have been sad reading this. Sarah was a terrific kid. All I felt was anger at the way Melissa treated Simon. His grieving process was different than hers and she couldn't accept it and things just fell apart. I didn't really like Melissa and was totally on Simon's side.
July 4, 2021
Simon's daughter, Sarah, is a 7-year-old dying of leukemia. He is unable to face her death, and when she asks him who she will know in Heaven, he tells her he will go with her. Marital issues follow this declaration.
February 28, 2018
Words to describe this book: intense, well-written, imaginative, developed, sad. I try not to read truly sad novels that often. This definitely left me holding my breath and with a heavy heart.
July 15, 2021
A warm, powerful, sad and moving story with relatable characters.
January 30, 2022
I'm too emotional to write now, that's how amazing this book is
September 1, 2022
Religious book warning. A good book about a child who passes away and comes back and then explains his version of heaven. Very eye opening and good if one needs to feel passionate about faith
September 8, 2022
It worked itself out, differently than I was thinking, but it all worked out.
September 20, 2010
Simon’s Choice by Charlotte Castle is a wondrous ride through the comedy and terrible tragedy of family life and death. The dialog’s spot-on, from careless remark, to kindly encouragement, to condemnation and despair. The background is picture-perfect England. The characters are entirely believable, and the agony all too real. It’s a novel that will leave you crying at the end, and remembering forever. If you want to know how you would feel if a child were dying, if you want to know why “I’m sorry” is so inadequate, and “Life goes on” so like a dagger to the heart, or if you just want a marvelously powerful uplifting read, this is the book for you.
“I should have thought you would need an unswerving faith to think those bloody hens are going to lay,” says Simon near the start. He’s sharing a drink of whiskey with the pastor, just before the bad news arrives. But sometimes it’s a swerving faith that shows where we need to go. Simon’s Choice swerves expertly, painting pictures of a dying child seen through the eyes of her father as his almost-perfect marriage falls apart. The author balances painful present images with delightfully pleasant memories, creating a surprisingly complete and sensitive picture. The story’s very real, right from its hopeful, careful, Sunday-morning, true-blue British start. And the thread of agony never winds too tight.
Bald daughter, bald chickens, contraband pizza and tears; there’s boarding school and a regular English church in here, with vicar, wife and animals, and cub scouts; there’s a God who isn’t after all just the grand puppeteer, a Hindu wedding, and a spiritualist performing down at the pub; there’s ritual, comfort, everyday life, and a world that comes crashing down. In the end, how much faith does it take, to encourage a child?
Simon’s Choice lightens faith with memories and darkens it with depression. I found myself asking who I would be in this story. Would I offer help with one hand and keep my children away from Sarah (protecting them of course) with the other? Would I ask “How are you?” and hope to be told “I’m okay” so I wouldn’t have to act? Would I choose who to blame and take sides while Simon’s world fell apart? But it’s Simon’s choice that matters, and it’s other people’s actions, maybe God’s as well, that steer his course.
I cried when I finished this book. It’s not for the faint-hearted—too vitally real for that. It’s not for readers who pale at the thought of alcohol and the odd swear word. But pain and love and healing and faith are real and vital and true. In the end the choice is perfectly made, the story perfectly concluded, and the meaning is deeply embedded in the reader’s heart.
“I should have thought you would need an unswerving faith to think those bloody hens are going to lay,” says Simon near the start. He’s sharing a drink of whiskey with the pastor, just before the bad news arrives. But sometimes it’s a swerving faith that shows where we need to go. Simon’s Choice swerves expertly, painting pictures of a dying child seen through the eyes of her father as his almost-perfect marriage falls apart. The author balances painful present images with delightfully pleasant memories, creating a surprisingly complete and sensitive picture. The story’s very real, right from its hopeful, careful, Sunday-morning, true-blue British start. And the thread of agony never winds too tight.
Bald daughter, bald chickens, contraband pizza and tears; there’s boarding school and a regular English church in here, with vicar, wife and animals, and cub scouts; there’s a God who isn’t after all just the grand puppeteer, a Hindu wedding, and a spiritualist performing down at the pub; there’s ritual, comfort, everyday life, and a world that comes crashing down. In the end, how much faith does it take, to encourage a child?
Simon’s Choice lightens faith with memories and darkens it with depression. I found myself asking who I would be in this story. Would I offer help with one hand and keep my children away from Sarah (protecting them of course) with the other? Would I ask “How are you?” and hope to be told “I’m okay” so I wouldn’t have to act? Would I choose who to blame and take sides while Simon’s world fell apart? But it’s Simon’s choice that matters, and it’s other people’s actions, maybe God’s as well, that steer his course.
I cried when I finished this book. It’s not for the faint-hearted—too vitally real for that. It’s not for readers who pale at the thought of alcohol and the odd swear word. But pain and love and healing and faith are real and vital and true. In the end the choice is perfectly made, the story perfectly concluded, and the meaning is deeply embedded in the reader’s heart.
April 20, 2013
Sarah Bailey war fünf Jahre alt als sie an Leukämie erkrankte. Jetzt ist sie in Remission. Doch der Krebs kehrt zurück und die ihr verbleibende Lebenszeit sind nur noch wenige Monate. Sie hat Angst vor dem Tod und dass sie dann ganz allein im Himmel sein wird, weil sie noch niemals jemanden gekannt hatte, der gestorben ist. Ihr Vater Simon verspricht ihr in seiner Verzweiflung, dass er sie in den Himmel begleiten wird.
Simon's Choice ist keine christliche Literatur, auch wenn der Roman Vorstellungen von Gott und einem Himmel behandelt. Simon ist Christ und er glaubt daran, dass mit dem Tod nicht alles vorbei ist. Er muß daran glauben, er braucht etwas, woran er sich festhalten kann. Insofern ist der Glaube eine Art mit dem Schmerz, dem Verlust und der Trauer umzugehen. Natürlich können Sarahs Eltern nicht mit dem nahenden Tod ihres einzigen Kindes umgehen. Sie zerbrechen daran, ihre Ehe ist zerstört, sie können sich gegenseitig keine Stütze sein. Das Schlimmste, was Eltern passieren kann, das eigene Kind zu überleben, es nicht retten zu können. Simon ist Arzt und muß hilflos mit ansehen, wie seine über alles geliebte Tochter aus dieser Welt gleitet. Vielleicht wird eines Tages der Tod Sarahs weniger weh tun. Aber eines weiß Simon schon jetzt, dass er es nicht zulassen kann, dass Sarah Angst hat und allein ist. Und so macht er ein unmöglich einzulösendes Versprechen.
Nach dem Tod muß es eine andere Welt geben und in dieser wird man mit seinen Lieben, die vor einem gegangen sind, wieder vereint sein. Ohne diesen religiösen Glauben von der Unsterblichkeit der Seele könnte diese Geschichte so nicht erzählt werden. Und doch könnte sie funktionieren, denn es ist eine Geschichte über Tod und Abschied. Es geht vor allem um Simon und seine Frau Melissa, wie sie versuchen, weiterzuleben und vor Sarah nicht die Fassung zu verlieren.
Simon erstellt eine Liste mit den Gründen für das Bleiben und das Gehen. Hier geht es über die Frage, ob es einen Himmel gibt oder nicht hinaus. Ist das Leben an sich es wert gelebt zu werden? Der Sinn des Lebens ist das Leben selbst. Das Ende des Romans verläßt zwar wieder das allgemein Menschliche und Moralische und doch bildet es damit einen versöhnlichen Abschluß. Das Wichtigste ist jedoch, dass Simon seine Entscheidung schon vorher getroffen hatte.
"Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
[...]
Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?"
(Tears in Heaven, Eric Clapton)
Simon's Choice ist keine christliche Literatur, auch wenn der Roman Vorstellungen von Gott und einem Himmel behandelt. Simon ist Christ und er glaubt daran, dass mit dem Tod nicht alles vorbei ist. Er muß daran glauben, er braucht etwas, woran er sich festhalten kann. Insofern ist der Glaube eine Art mit dem Schmerz, dem Verlust und der Trauer umzugehen. Natürlich können Sarahs Eltern nicht mit dem nahenden Tod ihres einzigen Kindes umgehen. Sie zerbrechen daran, ihre Ehe ist zerstört, sie können sich gegenseitig keine Stütze sein. Das Schlimmste, was Eltern passieren kann, das eigene Kind zu überleben, es nicht retten zu können. Simon ist Arzt und muß hilflos mit ansehen, wie seine über alles geliebte Tochter aus dieser Welt gleitet. Vielleicht wird eines Tages der Tod Sarahs weniger weh tun. Aber eines weiß Simon schon jetzt, dass er es nicht zulassen kann, dass Sarah Angst hat und allein ist. Und so macht er ein unmöglich einzulösendes Versprechen.
Nach dem Tod muß es eine andere Welt geben und in dieser wird man mit seinen Lieben, die vor einem gegangen sind, wieder vereint sein. Ohne diesen religiösen Glauben von der Unsterblichkeit der Seele könnte diese Geschichte so nicht erzählt werden. Und doch könnte sie funktionieren, denn es ist eine Geschichte über Tod und Abschied. Es geht vor allem um Simon und seine Frau Melissa, wie sie versuchen, weiterzuleben und vor Sarah nicht die Fassung zu verlieren.
Simon erstellt eine Liste mit den Gründen für das Bleiben und das Gehen. Hier geht es über die Frage, ob es einen Himmel gibt oder nicht hinaus. Ist das Leben an sich es wert gelebt zu werden? Der Sinn des Lebens ist das Leben selbst. Das Ende des Romans verläßt zwar wieder das allgemein Menschliche und Moralische und doch bildet es damit einen versöhnlichen Abschluß. Das Wichtigste ist jedoch, dass Simon seine Entscheidung schon vorher getroffen hatte.
November 30, 2013
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
Simon’s Choice is a heart-wrenching, time-stopping novel that brought me to the edge of tears. It’s drama at its finest, showing us the darkest sides of life, but doing so in a convincing way.
Simon’s daughter has been diagnosed with Leukemia. She’s been in remission for a while, but now the illness is back and more destructive than ever. He’s a doctor and blames himself for not noticing her symptons right away. When Simon and his wife get the devastating news that their daughter will not recover, and only has a few months left to live, it shatters their family.
When his daughter, Sarah, asks him if she’s going to die, she takes up the news in stride. What she can’t cope with, is being all alone in heaven. No relatives of theirs have passed away, and there’s no one there to take care of her when she dies. So when she asks, Simon gives the most illogical response ever: he’ll go with her.
For his wife, Melissa, who translates this into Simon going to kill himself, this news shows his mental instability. She distances herself from her husband, and she goes very far with this. I found it to be believable, but my feelings toward Melissa went from feeling sorry to hating her after seeing what she put him through. She only allowed him supervised visits with Sarah, told him to move out, and so on. Basically she blamed him for everything, without putting any blame on herself.
The ending was bittersweet, and had a massive emotional impact on me. The book is strong in general, but it has its ups and downs. Melissa’s reactions were exaggerated, but I kind of understand she could behave so irrationally in light of what happened.
The book also opens up our eyes to how we act around people in as much pain as Simon and Melissa are, and it’s not pretty.
Don’t expect a light read when you start this book. I ended up teary-eyed, but if I hadn’t been in the train when reading, I probably would’ve cried my eyes out. Not for the faint of heart.
Simon’s Choice is a heart-wrenching, time-stopping novel that brought me to the edge of tears. It’s drama at its finest, showing us the darkest sides of life, but doing so in a convincing way.
Simon’s daughter has been diagnosed with Leukemia. She’s been in remission for a while, but now the illness is back and more destructive than ever. He’s a doctor and blames himself for not noticing her symptons right away. When Simon and his wife get the devastating news that their daughter will not recover, and only has a few months left to live, it shatters their family.
When his daughter, Sarah, asks him if she’s going to die, she takes up the news in stride. What she can’t cope with, is being all alone in heaven. No relatives of theirs have passed away, and there’s no one there to take care of her when she dies. So when she asks, Simon gives the most illogical response ever: he’ll go with her.
For his wife, Melissa, who translates this into Simon going to kill himself, this news shows his mental instability. She distances herself from her husband, and she goes very far with this. I found it to be believable, but my feelings toward Melissa went from feeling sorry to hating her after seeing what she put him through. She only allowed him supervised visits with Sarah, told him to move out, and so on. Basically she blamed him for everything, without putting any blame on herself.
The ending was bittersweet, and had a massive emotional impact on me. The book is strong in general, but it has its ups and downs. Melissa’s reactions were exaggerated, but I kind of understand she could behave so irrationally in light of what happened.
The book also opens up our eyes to how we act around people in as much pain as Simon and Melissa are, and it’s not pretty.
Don’t expect a light read when you start this book. I ended up teary-eyed, but if I hadn’t been in the train when reading, I probably would’ve cried my eyes out. Not for the faint of heart.
July 5, 2011
Simon's Choice If you are looking for a book that is going to have an emotional impact on you, then this is it.
Charlotte Castle's "Simon's Choice" is a narrative that explores the impact of child leukaemia on a middle-class British family. While the blurb sounded interesting, I was concerned the story would be delivered in an overly sentimental way. However, it wasn't.
Castle portrays the family of Simon, Melissa and Sarah with compassion and credibility. She draws the reader into their world of an eroding marriage, as they struggle to cope with the tragic pressure of a sick child.
This novel has many strengths. I loved the character of Sarah, a strong and lively 7 year old, who, like many in her situation, was remarkably astute and realistic when dealing with her illness. I liked how the author represented the responses of other people to the family's situation. Anyone who has experienced the impact of serious illness could relate to the 'anything we can do' absentee 'friends'. Finally, I liked how skilfully the author dealt with the big life and death ideas, such as what happens to us when we die.
Previous reviewers have commented on the many British references in this novel. As an Australian, this was another of the appealing factors. So many of the colloquial terms are common to Australian and British culture, and I enjoyed the familiarity of these.
The novel was written in third-person and is largely told from the perspective of Simon. Our understandings of other characters, including his wife and child, are shaped (and perhaps limited) by this perspective. I must admit, I felt little sympathy for the actions of Melissa later in the novel, but at the same time, it was explained well enough that they were understandable. The author never lets us forget that this is a very human family responding in very human ways, to a sadly extraordinary situation.
Charlotte Castle's "Simon's Choice" is a narrative that explores the impact of child leukaemia on a middle-class British family. While the blurb sounded interesting, I was concerned the story would be delivered in an overly sentimental way. However, it wasn't.
Castle portrays the family of Simon, Melissa and Sarah with compassion and credibility. She draws the reader into their world of an eroding marriage, as they struggle to cope with the tragic pressure of a sick child.
This novel has many strengths. I loved the character of Sarah, a strong and lively 7 year old, who, like many in her situation, was remarkably astute and realistic when dealing with her illness. I liked how the author represented the responses of other people to the family's situation. Anyone who has experienced the impact of serious illness could relate to the 'anything we can do' absentee 'friends'. Finally, I liked how skilfully the author dealt with the big life and death ideas, such as what happens to us when we die.
Previous reviewers have commented on the many British references in this novel. As an Australian, this was another of the appealing factors. So many of the colloquial terms are common to Australian and British culture, and I enjoyed the familiarity of these.
The novel was written in third-person and is largely told from the perspective of Simon. Our understandings of other characters, including his wife and child, are shaped (and perhaps limited) by this perspective. I must admit, I felt little sympathy for the actions of Melissa later in the novel, but at the same time, it was explained well enough that they were understandable. The author never lets us forget that this is a very human family responding in very human ways, to a sadly extraordinary situation.
July 14, 2011
“Papa…with whom I’ll stay in the heaven? Does it hurt dying, papa?” asks a dying seven years old daughter Sarah to her father Simon.
Can a father answer these questions? Can he wait for death of his lovely Sarah? Can he love his wife Mellissa? Can the 12 years of marriage withstand the gradual tilt of attention away from the wife?
Want answers to these questions…read Simon’s Choice: a brilliant novel of difference, away from genre. This book has everything, love, hatred, passion, simplicity, innocence, sympathy…and above all an urge to move ahead…to come to term with time and situation.
When Simon thinks a bit differently, talks less, becomes different or mad as his wife describes. As the news of certain death of Sarah echoes in their ears, pronounced by a merciless and honest doctor, Simon though being a doctor himself breaks down. The piece of news dents into their happy married life. In place of love towards Melissa, Simon loves brandy, beer and whisky. He frequents pubs and slowly the husband part from the wife.
A note written by the wife shatters the triangle of Sarah, Simon and Melissa. They pulled and pushed away their life.When death looms large, can eyes maintain serenity? Yes they float in the bay of tears of separation.
Charlotte Castle the writer has done justice to the theme and bravely wrote a novel full of arts and architecture, mansion and palaces that fell apart…thanks to a slow but steady gale of death.
This is completely a different story and I rued putting it in my shelf for one month, after reading the first chapter. But…when I started, just finished it…just finished it.
This will be etched to my memory for long and I wish no one went through these trials and travails or tribulations of life.
The writing flows like falling beads from fist on a mound of cotton…no sound, no impression, that urges, that pulls, that attracts and that relates. And that etches, urges to brood.
Recommended. *****
Can a father answer these questions? Can he wait for death of his lovely Sarah? Can he love his wife Mellissa? Can the 12 years of marriage withstand the gradual tilt of attention away from the wife?
Want answers to these questions…read Simon’s Choice: a brilliant novel of difference, away from genre. This book has everything, love, hatred, passion, simplicity, innocence, sympathy…and above all an urge to move ahead…to come to term with time and situation.
When Simon thinks a bit differently, talks less, becomes different or mad as his wife describes. As the news of certain death of Sarah echoes in their ears, pronounced by a merciless and honest doctor, Simon though being a doctor himself breaks down. The piece of news dents into their happy married life. In place of love towards Melissa, Simon loves brandy, beer and whisky. He frequents pubs and slowly the husband part from the wife.
A note written by the wife shatters the triangle of Sarah, Simon and Melissa. They pulled and pushed away their life.When death looms large, can eyes maintain serenity? Yes they float in the bay of tears of separation.
Charlotte Castle the writer has done justice to the theme and bravely wrote a novel full of arts and architecture, mansion and palaces that fell apart…thanks to a slow but steady gale of death.
This is completely a different story and I rued putting it in my shelf for one month, after reading the first chapter. But…when I started, just finished it…just finished it.
This will be etched to my memory for long and I wish no one went through these trials and travails or tribulations of life.
The writing flows like falling beads from fist on a mound of cotton…no sound, no impression, that urges, that pulls, that attracts and that relates. And that etches, urges to brood.
Recommended. *****
July 27, 2012
Castle's book gets 3 stars for how she handles the grief a parent must go through when they are faced with the terminal illness of their child. She does a decent job of painting the picture of what grief looks and feels like in the face of a child's death. For my personal taste she gets points off for the unnecessary use of language. What is it with British authors and their love of vulgar language? And most times unnecessary? Sure a person grieving may slip in a word or two every now and then but not with the regularity that Simon does. Sheesh.
Simon and Melissa have been married for 12 years and their daughter, 6, has been struggling with leukemia for a couple of years now. Simon is a doctor himself which adds to his despair - he can't fix his daughter as a Dad or a doctor. The stress of her illness has taken a toll on Simon and Melissa separately and as a couple. They've been bravely trying to hold things together for their daughter but as she nears the end they unravel completely.
The book details a decision Simon is weighing out about his daughter's near death and his life beyond it. As a reader Castle painted Melissa in such a light that I wanted to punch her lights out. She was vicious toward Simon in light of the grief. It was an okay book. It's gotten rave reviews on this site and while it was good I'm not sure it earns those rave reviews - the ending seemed hurried and like Castle couldn't figure out how to close out the story so she just picked straws and finished it out without much thought. It came a little too sudden to be believable for me.
Simon and Melissa have been married for 12 years and their daughter, 6, has been struggling with leukemia for a couple of years now. Simon is a doctor himself which adds to his despair - he can't fix his daughter as a Dad or a doctor. The stress of her illness has taken a toll on Simon and Melissa separately and as a couple. They've been bravely trying to hold things together for their daughter but as she nears the end they unravel completely.
The book details a decision Simon is weighing out about his daughter's near death and his life beyond it. As a reader Castle painted Melissa in such a light that I wanted to punch her lights out. She was vicious toward Simon in light of the grief. It was an okay book. It's gotten rave reviews on this site and while it was good I'm not sure it earns those rave reviews - the ending seemed hurried and like Castle couldn't figure out how to close out the story so she just picked straws and finished it out without much thought. It came a little too sudden to be believable for me.
August 22, 2010
I was a little apprehensive about reading Charlotte’s book. Would I feel far to empathetic and find the subject of a child’s death and imagining how it would be as a parent, too difficult?
Regardless I turned to page 1. Two days later I have finished this brilliant book. This story has it all, emotion, light hearted moments and ultimately, although it is surrounded by death, has a ‘happy’ ending which left me smiling and it was a total surprise.
I felt angry at Melissa for being so spiteful. I was annoyed at Simon for shutting his wife out. My heart swelled over Sarah’s courage. Charlotte has delivered powerful, memorable and lovable characters who during the worst of times show depth. These people felt real to me.
The cleverly interwoven back stories helped me learn more about Melissa and Simon and why they made the choices they did during Sarah’s last weeks. How would you react during such a horrific moment in your life, the thought of losing a child?
It has been a long time since I have finished a book in such a short time but from the moment I opened this book I couldn’t stop reading. Every spare moment I read another page or chapter. I wanted to know what Simon would do, wanted to live every moment with these characters as they experienced this tragic story.
This is clever, at times witty, heart warming and original, delving into human emotions with finesse.
I highly recommend this book by Charlotte Castle. I believe we will be seeing more of her.
Regardless I turned to page 1. Two days later I have finished this brilliant book. This story has it all, emotion, light hearted moments and ultimately, although it is surrounded by death, has a ‘happy’ ending which left me smiling and it was a total surprise.
I felt angry at Melissa for being so spiteful. I was annoyed at Simon for shutting his wife out. My heart swelled over Sarah’s courage. Charlotte has delivered powerful, memorable and lovable characters who during the worst of times show depth. These people felt real to me.
The cleverly interwoven back stories helped me learn more about Melissa and Simon and why they made the choices they did during Sarah’s last weeks. How would you react during such a horrific moment in your life, the thought of losing a child?
It has been a long time since I have finished a book in such a short time but from the moment I opened this book I couldn’t stop reading. Every spare moment I read another page or chapter. I wanted to know what Simon would do, wanted to live every moment with these characters as they experienced this tragic story.
This is clever, at times witty, heart warming and original, delving into human emotions with finesse.
I highly recommend this book by Charlotte Castle. I believe we will be seeing more of her.
February 16, 2015
I gave this book 4.5 stars.
This book is absolutely heartbreaking. The loss of a young child is something that no parent should ever have to endure. Unfortunately, it does in fact happen. I have personally dealt with the loss of a child as the result of a tragic accident. I cannot fathom watching a child die a long death from a horrific disease. It was bad enough watching my father go through something like that.
Simon and his wife have gone through varying degrees of devotion over the course of their daughter's illness. They have grasped onto their faith as if it is the very life blood that is keeping them going. They have doubted the purpose of God and questioned His decision to take away their precious daughter. They have discussed the idea of Heaven. Unfortunately, they are rarely on the same page at the same time.
And then their daughter, who is going to soon be leaving them, asks about her eventual transition to the other side. The conversation between Simon and Sarah is one that socked me in the gut.
What would you say to your daughter if you knew she was going to die? What would you say when she wants you to go with her? Ponder these questions as you examine your own faith while reading this story. And keep a box of Kleenex on hand. You will need it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book is absolutely heartbreaking. The loss of a young child is something that no parent should ever have to endure. Unfortunately, it does in fact happen. I have personally dealt with the loss of a child as the result of a tragic accident. I cannot fathom watching a child die a long death from a horrific disease. It was bad enough watching my father go through something like that.
Simon and his wife have gone through varying degrees of devotion over the course of their daughter's illness. They have grasped onto their faith as if it is the very life blood that is keeping them going. They have doubted the purpose of God and questioned His decision to take away their precious daughter. They have discussed the idea of Heaven. Unfortunately, they are rarely on the same page at the same time.
And then their daughter, who is going to soon be leaving them, asks about her eventual transition to the other side. The conversation between Simon and Sarah is one that socked me in the gut.
What would you say to your daughter if you knew she was going to die? What would you say when she wants you to go with her? Ponder these questions as you examine your own faith while reading this story. And keep a box of Kleenex on hand. You will need it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 28, 2013
This is a brave and a convincing novel. At first I thought it had been written by a man finding himself in that heart-rending position.
I think that anyone who cares about children and about families will find this hard to read. If it were more sentimental and less hard-hitting it would be easier - but not such a good book.
There are moments of intense pain portrayed clearly and others where the reader wonders if another parent might react differently.
A good book, to my mind, has to be thought-provoking or to ask questions. This one raises the issue of how much a seven year old should be told. Young children do accept what their trusted adults tell them. It puts a tremendous responsibility on someone full of grief, uncertainty and lingering hope.
Yes, there are places where the writing could be tightened up or where a little more editing would be of benefit, but I would recommend this book to anyone who wasn't going to have nightmares about the well-being of their own young children. It's the worst of happenings, losing a child.
I think that anyone who cares about children and about families will find this hard to read. If it were more sentimental and less hard-hitting it would be easier - but not such a good book.
There are moments of intense pain portrayed clearly and others where the reader wonders if another parent might react differently.
A good book, to my mind, has to be thought-provoking or to ask questions. This one raises the issue of how much a seven year old should be told. Young children do accept what their trusted adults tell them. It puts a tremendous responsibility on someone full of grief, uncertainty and lingering hope.
Yes, there are places where the writing could be tightened up or where a little more editing would be of benefit, but I would recommend this book to anyone who wasn't going to have nightmares about the well-being of their own young children. It's the worst of happenings, losing a child.
September 15, 2014
I felt compelled to leave a review for this book, having read some of the other reviews and wondering if we read the same book. I was attracted by the premise but expected somewhat more than was to become available to me between these covers. There are difficult issues here which could/should have been explored in much greater detail and I feel short changed by the experience. The book moves forward in a quite predictable vicarious kind of way, never really connecting with the characters, but drifting onwards through various clichés.
But more than anything else, the thrust of the female character left me feeling empty and resentful. Without being explained or explored adequately, her actions, as described, are unabashed misandry, and I don’t mean in the feminist vein. (more Valerie Solanas). I am left wondering if the author has written a little bit too much of herself into her work.
Should have been deep and meaningful, but a touching end doesn’t make up for a disappointing read.
But more than anything else, the thrust of the female character left me feeling empty and resentful. Without being explained or explored adequately, her actions, as described, are unabashed misandry, and I don’t mean in the feminist vein. (more Valerie Solanas). I am left wondering if the author has written a little bit too much of herself into her work.
Should have been deep and meaningful, but a touching end doesn’t make up for a disappointing read.
June 21, 2011
I love my kids so fiercely that I cannot imagine them being struck by such terrible disease. However, I have witnessed my mom fade away from us the same way as Sarah did so I was expecting the book to hit close to home. To my disappointment, it did not.
The one and only time it became a page turner for me was the part when Simon was unjustifiably treated as an insane man by those around him, thrown out of the house and almost barred from seeing his daughter who by the way, was only days away from death. Although the unfairness of it did not quite match reality, I felt soooo mad at Melissa and her entourage.
I was expecting it to be about the kid and her father. it turned out to be a book about the father and the mother and how they dealt with having a sick, dying child between them.
so there..
The one and only time it became a page turner for me was the part when Simon was unjustifiably treated as an insane man by those around him, thrown out of the house and almost barred from seeing his daughter who by the way, was only days away from death. Although the unfairness of it did not quite match reality, I felt soooo mad at Melissa and her entourage.
I was expecting it to be about the kid and her father. it turned out to be a book about the father and the mother and how they dealt with having a sick, dying child between them.
so there..
August 10, 2013
Good for a free kindle book but not fantastic. Simon and Melanie have a very sick child, Sarah. Sarah's leukemia in the beginning of the story is in remission. Of course, it gets worse...ugh. Tough subject matter dealt with very gingerly. Simon, who is a doctor, feels he should be able to heal her. Poor guy. I felt so bad for him. His daughter is dying, his wife left him and he's drinking too much. Who couldn't feel bad for him? And he's considering suicide! I'll leave some details out, in case you want to read it. It wasn't a total downer, there are some bright spots. Favorite quote (during a conversation he has with the Vicar):
"It never goes away, Simon. I'm not going to pretend that it does. But it becomes easier to cope. Day by day. You don't forget, but you do learn to get on with your life. I know it doesn't seem that way at the moment..."
"It never goes away, Simon. I'm not going to pretend that it does. But it becomes easier to cope. Day by day. You don't forget, but you do learn to get on with your life. I know it doesn't seem that way at the moment..."
April 8, 2011
A book that has received higher reviews than i have given it.
Don't get me wrong, i loved this book by the end. I loved it at the beginning. The middle, well, while i understood and appreciated the raw emotions, i was still frustrated with the characters. So i guess my 3 stars of because i was annoyed at the characters rather than the writing quality.
The characters were well portrayed and the conclusion as fitting as it needed to be.
I really enjoyed this book, just not sure i could go through those emotions again which is unusual for me. I enjoy crying in books normally.
I still recommend this book highly for people wanting to explore the emotions of a family dealing with a sick child.
Don't get me wrong, i loved this book by the end. I loved it at the beginning. The middle, well, while i understood and appreciated the raw emotions, i was still frustrated with the characters. So i guess my 3 stars of because i was annoyed at the characters rather than the writing quality.
The characters were well portrayed and the conclusion as fitting as it needed to be.
I really enjoyed this book, just not sure i could go through those emotions again which is unusual for me. I enjoy crying in books normally.
I still recommend this book highly for people wanting to explore the emotions of a family dealing with a sick child.
March 28, 2012
Simon's Choice is an emotional journey and Charlotte Castle deals with the subject matter in a marvelous way. Her characters are well rounded and believable. Through them she connects the reader to the story. Though there is an obvious need for drama in a book which focuses on childhood leukemia, the story isn't weighted down by the drama. Filled with touching and lighthearted moments, the story moves fluidly. I truly found this book to be one which I couldn't put down. I wasn't sure how Ms. Castle would deal with Simon's Choice, but I found the ending to be both moving and satisfying. Although there were questions left unanswered, they were the right kind of questions; the same questions we face when we are dealt a hand which forces us to recognize that life goes on.
July 26, 2010
How do you review a book such as this? A book that punches you in the gut and leaves you hungry for air.
Charlotte Castle has written this piece with such warmth, the characters become our friends, and together we watch and listen as they tear each other apart. The imminent death of a beloved child finally and ruthlessly slashing it's dreadful way through the shaking remains of their marriage.
Not maudlin, as it could well have been. The authors talented pen takes you beyond that easy route into the lives of a family, a family just like the folks you love are part of...a family that fights, loves, laughs...and cries.
A family fighting to stay sane.
Charlotte Castle has written this piece with such warmth, the characters become our friends, and together we watch and listen as they tear each other apart. The imminent death of a beloved child finally and ruthlessly slashing it's dreadful way through the shaking remains of their marriage.
Not maudlin, as it could well have been. The authors talented pen takes you beyond that easy route into the lives of a family, a family just like the folks you love are part of...a family that fights, loves, laughs...and cries.
A family fighting to stay sane.
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