Book Description:
Jeremy Cramer, M.D. is the next Einstein of infectious disease research. While working on a way to revive water submersion victims, he makes a breakthrough discovery in AIDS research that thrusts him into the center of a media frenzy. But the publicity turns negative and his marriage reaches the breaking point when he accidentally infects a colleague and his negligence allows his son to contract a life threatening disease. The viruses test the limits of his new formula and his ethics. In his frantic efforts to save his son and his marriage, he must decide whether to allow his child to die or violate the rights of a young transplant donor. The choice forces him to stand face-to-face with the unfathomable love required to sacrifice an only son.
My review:
I almost didn't accept this book to review as I had SO many to read, but the subject matter intrigued me. Now I'm glad I took this book on. I'll tell you why...Informed Consent is one of the most emotional, suspenseful, intelligent, and exhilarating stories I've read in a long time. The up-close look into marriage issues, grief and loss, and biomedical/ethical subject matter makes me rank this amazing novel as one of the best I've read this year. It is SO obvious that the author did a lot of research and she addressed the subject with insight and compassion. This story moved me to tears numerous times.
In some ways Informed Consent--which is a perfect title for the story--reminded me of a movie I watched starring Denzel Washington. In the movie he was stuck in an impossible situation and yet found a way to fix the problem. His solution was totally insane, but it sure made you think about the desperation people feel when they long to save a loved one, but face seemingly impossible barriers along the way. Informed consent tackled some really tough issues with finesse.
I'm reluctant to share much detail regarding this awesome novel because it's very suspenseful and I don't want the reader to miss out on the anxiety-provoking twists and turns by tipping them off to some of the dilemmas and solutions. But I will say that this story not only provokes intelligent thinking, but it makes you ponder spiritual issues as well. I am thoroughly impressed by the quality of the plot, the author's incredible "voice", and the pull this story had on me. I can't say enough good things about it, but I will say that from this point forward I intend to read EVERY book Sandra Glahn writes.
Informed Consent was published by David C Cook and released in August 2007.
18 comments:
I love suspense reads and being a transplant recipient myself this book sounds fascinating.
hawkes@citlink.net
Michelle,
When does the movie come out?! LOL It sounds like a great drama. Doctor negligence, ethical dilemmas, sacrificing a son...I'm want to know how Dr. Cramer survives with his heart, mind and soul intact. Please put my name in the drawing.
becca[dot]dowling[at]yahoo[dot]com
Blessings,
Becca
Hi Michelle!
Informed Consent sounds very interesting. Your review peaked my interest about this title because now I would like to know how the issues change the main characters life.
i've been interested in this book since i first saw it on somebody else's blog. i think because it's a medical issue and i was working in the medical field. but probably also because of the many ethical dilemmas that are being raised in medicine as people dabble in more and more grey areas... so please, enter me! :)
I love to read medical thrilers & the Christian fiction market doesn't have alot. I'd love to read this one. Thanks Becky
gooch@fyi(dot)net
I was in nursing school and working at a hospital for a while (until the money ran out) and loved the science of things. I don't like I've ever read a fiction like it, but I'm sure I'd enjoy it. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks so much!
cherryblossom(at)gmail[dot]com
I know this would be an awesome read! My mom was a nurse, and I know I would love the book! Please enter me in the drawing!
Kim
kimfurd[at]hotmail[dot]com
Yes, the bio-medical aspect of the book and the testing of the main character would be fascinating! It sounds like a book that would be hard to put down. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Wow, this sounds really intense. Count me in!
this sounds like a great read! both my parents are microbiologists, so I grew up hearing aobut all kids of interesting things! they would enjoy reading this too, so please enter me, thanks!
This sounds like a brilliant exploration of an ethical/medical dilemma. Reminds me in a way of couples who conceive just so that they can use the new baby's dna/blood/tissues to save an existing child's life. Please count me in.
Need a good suspense book, the holidays provide a good time to get into one, I try to halve the 14 hour work days of owning a web site and would love this book!
I love a book that brings tears to my eyes more than once. To acknowledge responsibility and consequences for causing the illness of someone else (publicly is even worse than behind closed doors) would be a horrible thing to stand up and face. To know my own flesh and blood was pulled into the mistakes would be even harder. The horror of my marriage being on the rocks would be almost too much to stand up under. I can see the torment of wagering my own son's existance in the balance.
I tend to put myself in the shoes of the people in the book. This book looks like one I would definitely love to see through to the finish. I may have to find a day and go somewhere with no interruptions so I can read until the last page is finished. Great book discription and review. Please enter me in the drawing for "Informed Consent" by Sandra Glahn. I, too, may have found an author I HAVE to read all her books from this point forward.
Pam Williams
cepjwms at yahoo.com
This book looks interesting because it makes one wonder about whether or not the main protagonist will succeed in saving his son.
Shirley Qiu
fantasy_girl121992 (at) yahoo.com
Sounds like something my husband would like. He has a long subway ride to work!
It certainly sounds like an interesting book. Please enter me in your drawing.
crimsonrob[at]gmail[dot]com
I've heard a lot about this book. Count me in please.
blogged ya: http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/12/thursday-edition-of-contests-galore.html
And the winner is...
Windycindy! What are you, lucky or something!?!
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