
Deborah Birch is a seasoned hospice nurse whose daily work requires courage and compassion. But her skills and experience are tested in new and dramatic ways when her easygoing husband, Michael, returns from his third deployment to Iraq haunted by nightmares, anxiety, and rage. She is determined to help him heal, and to restore the tender, loving marriage they once had. At the same time, Deborah's primary patient is Barclay Reed, a retired history professor and expert in the Pacific Theater of World War II whose career ended in academic scandal. Alone in the world, the embittered professor is dying. As Barclay begrudgingly comes to trust Deborah, he tells her stories from that long-ago war, which help her find a way to help her husband battle his demons.
Publisher:
New York, NY :, William Morrow,, [2015]
Edition:
First edition
Copyright Date:
©2015
ISBN:
9780062369543
0062369547
0062369547
Characteristics:
310 pages ; 24 cm


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Add a CommentI found this a deeply emotional and engaging read.
There are 3 different stories being told in this book. It is essentially about healing pain in the dying and the living. Although I love historical fiction, I found myself dreading the chapters about the Japanese pilot. I prefer a smooth flowing story, not one that keeps getting interrupted. I enjoyed the developing friendship between the professor and the nurse. Not an outstanding book, just OK for me.
An excellent book, well written and full of insight into PTSD and caregiving.