Reviews

Before I Wake by Robert J. Wiersema

breecreative's review against another edition

4.0

This book sucked me in right away, from the first page I needed to know what happened to this poor family during this terrible tragedy. I didn't like Simon very much but loved the rest of the characters (except, obviously, Father Peter), even including Henry, the man who hit the poor girl.

I almost literally couldn't put this book down, I read it within 24 hours I think. I tend to shy away from books about miracles, but first off I didn't know that was what the book was about (the blurb on the back wasn't a very good synopsis), but secondly it was so well written that I wanted to know what was going on.

I figured out early on who "Tim" was supposed to be, but "Father Peter" eluded me until the very end. That whole concept was amazing, I loved it.

Basically...you have to read this book. It's awesome!

catsbah's review against another edition

4.0

Quite an interesting book. It was a quick read but I really enjoyed it!

cac03's review against another edition

3.0

This book is a quick easy read with an interesting topic. It does have some interesting concepts and ideas to think about but much of the story is weak and on the surface. The dad having the affair thing and what happens throughout the book is so far fetched and makes Karen so weak although I think the author is trying to make her out as a hero.

aleksandrakalas's review

emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

naaila22's review against another edition

3.0

What an odd novel. I think I finished it more so because I wanted to see what happened at the end, and I honestly liked the last few chapters. (Hence the 3 stars) but the book sort of fell apart. Almost as if the author was being a bit lazy. It kind of reminded me as a Jr. High or High School student who would start off her short stories with power, and then I would rush through the end with a bunch of missing details. You can see the author's potential because some parts of the novel, certain quotes are beautiful and elegant. I think with more refinement, this author could really show his talent.

kristinkravesbooks's review against another edition

4.0

This book had me thinking long after I finished reading it. I loved this writing style.

apostrophen's review

4.0

n a word: fabulous. Conjuring the same multi-person perspective on an extreme situation as you find in Jodi Picoult’s “My Sister’s Keeper” or Alice Sebold’s “The Lovely Bones,” “Before I Wake” takes us into the home of a family who is suffering from one of the worst events that could ever happen: the hit-and-run brain-death of their three year old daughter. But when unexplained events that even the agnostic parents can’t help but think of as ‘miracles’ begin to occur, the fallout is intense. The emotional motivation and expression in the characters was nothing short of fantastic, and the more supernatural/miraculous concept in the novel was fresh and interesting. Definitely one of my favourites of the year.

canadianbookworm's review

4.0

This first novel by this B.C. writer is a winner. It starts off as a realistic tale of a couple, Karen and Simon, who have been growing apart, and whose daughter, Sherry, is badly injured in a hit-and-run accident. However, when the couple make the difficult decision to take her off life-support she does not die. They hire a day-nurse, Ruth, and bring her home. The marriage deteriorates further, but a twist is added when it would seem that Sherry has a special gift.
Meanwhile, the driver and hit Sherry, Henry Denton, has been wandering the city trying to deal with his guilt. Why can't he die, and who else is involved as this turns into a struggle between good and evil?