Tim Farnsworth is happily married to Jane, with a teenage daughter and he is partner in a thriving law firm. But Tim has an unusual illness that has been in 'remission' after two previous bouts. Tim compulsively walks. As in just stops anything he is doing and walks until he is exhausted and passes out. He wakes up and has to call his wife to pick him up, from various places. As the book starts, Tim is going into round three. This time they have prepared. Jane has a pre-packed backpack with food, cell phone, GPS; anything she can think that Tim might need out in the cold. Tim sleeps in warm clothes because when he gets up to go, he just goes, doesn't stop to put on a coat, anything but grab the pack on his way. He has been to many, many doctors, had many diagnosis and tried many treatments. But this illness goes unnamed. And it takes a toll on the whole family.
my review: This novel was so, so good, very beautiful and captivating. I really felt the frustration Tim feels at having this disease that is unacknowledged and embarrassing. He hates what he is putting Jane through as she waits and worries about him and drives in the middle of the night to pick him up. Jane feels guilty at her resentment of Tim and having to put her life on hold to take care of him. Their daughter, Becka feels she takes a back seat to her father's illness.
This is really the story of adversity, love, acceptance, sacrifice and not the disease. It takes an interesting twist when Tim hits bout four and tries something new. It is compelling and tragic to watch this family struggle. I don't want to give anything away so let me just say that the writing is amazing and I think Ferris is very talented. I eagerly look forward to his next work.
rating- 5/5
recommend- very strongly!
This book counts towards The Library Reading Challenge
Product Details
- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books; 1 edition
- Date: January 18, 2010
3 comments:
Yay, I'm glad you liked this! I've read some reviews that are unsure so it's good to see another good one. I need to read this one soon!
Gosh, everyone seems to be unanimous in praise of this book! I think the idea of the walking disease is really interesting. It reminds me a bit of the disease in Time Traveler's Wife.
I heard Ferris on NPR today. He said that he was shopping with his dad in Home Depot when the end of the story came to him so he just stopped while his dad shopped, pulled out his Blackberry and wrote the end of the story.
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