The three most important parts of a book are: a well constructed plot, compelling characters, and a satisfying conclusion.

Monday, October 7, 2013

The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley

Title:  The Promise of Stardust
Author:  Priscille Sibley
Publisher:  William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date:  February 5, 2013
Pages:  432
The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley
About the Book:  Priscille Sibley’s The Promise of Stardust is a haunting and unforgettable debut novel about life and death and love, set against a moral dilemma that may leave you questioning your own beliefs.
Matt Beaulieu has loved Elle McClure since he was two years old. Now married and expecting their first child, Elle suffers a fatal accident. To keep the baby alive, Matt goes against his wife’s wishes and keeps his wife on life support. But Matt’s mother thinks that Elle should be euthanized, and she’s ready to fight for what she believes is the right thing.
A stunning, compassionate examination of one of the most intricate ethical issues of our time, The Promise of Stardust, will stay with you, long after the last page has been read.

Wanda's Review:  The story begins as Dr. Matt Beaulieu receives a phone call telling him his wife, Elle, had an accident - a tragic accident that has destroyed her brain. Elle, his wife and the girl he'd been in love with since he was seventeen, the girl he'd loved as his closest friend, had fallen and cracked her head open. She was suffering from a devastating and irreparable brain injury. Even the best neurosurgeon, his friend, and partner, could not fix the damage. Before taking Elle off life support it is discovered she is pregnant and the story becomes even more complex. 

Elle is a local celebrity in a small town in Maine. But, she is remembered as having flown in space and being part of a NASA mission which received worldwide attention. Elle is an astrophysicist, and now a college professor.  Being a neurosurgeon, Matt knew her prognosis. Nothing and no one could save Elle. She wouldn't want to live in this state, but what about the baby she's carrying?

As the book unfolds, it goes through the five stages of grief: denial, bargaining, depression, anger , and acceptance. The story is told through flashbacks that weave the storyline together beautifully. This is a love story, and a story that deals with tough - unimaginable - moral issues at times. You will become entangled in sadness throughout with the intense issues unfolding.

This book grabbed my attention from the first page and I never lost interest - it never had a slow or dull moment. A beautifully written and heartwarming story that will simply stir your soul. Priscille Sibley is a new author to keep an eye on. This is a story you'll not want to miss. 

About the Author:  Priscille Sibley is the author of the debut novel THE PROMISE OF STARDUST (William Morrow, 2013). The book is a love story about a family torn apart by a medical crisis and the ethical dilemma of keeping a pregnant woman with no chance of recovery on life support for months in an attempt to give her unborn baby a chance. Priscille grew up loving the rocky coast of Maine, her family, and babies. Now a neonatal intensive care nurse, she has the privilege of caring for infants so small that they fit in her hand. She lives with her husband, three tall teenaged sons, and their Wheaton terrier. Her website is www.priscillesibley.com

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