Proof of Heaven: A Novel [Paperback]

Mary Curran Hackett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2011

A mother’s faith, a child’s courage, a doctor’s dedication—a moving and thought-provoking tale of hope, love, and family

He might be young, but Colm already recognizes the truth: that he’s sick and not getting better. His mother, Cathleen, fiercely believes her faith will protect her ailing son, but Colm is not so sure. With a wisdom far beyond his years, Colm has come to terms with his probable fate, but he does have one special wish. He wants to meet his father who abandoned his beloved mother before Colm was born.

But the quest to find the dying boy’s missing parent soon becomes a powerful journey of emotional discovery—a test of belief and an anxious search for proof of heaven.

A magnificent debut novel, Mary Curran Hackett’s Proof of Heaven is a beautiful and unforgettable exploration of the power of love and the monumental questions of life, death, and the afterlife.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Proof of Heaven is a remarkable first novel that explores the intersections of science and religion, medicine and faith….Reminiscent of Carol Cassella’s recent work, this is an emotionally fulfilling, spiritually inviting, thought-provoking novel.” (Booklist )

“Proof of Heaven belongs on any keeper shelf...beautifully written, mesmerizing and tragic, thought-provoking, and a reaffirmation of faith. The story of a mother’s love for her son was touching...it was the tale of one boy’s search for heaven that brought me to tears. I loved this book.” (Shelley Shepard Gray )

“Colm’s journey will move and charm readers who are also searching for answers to their own questions of faith. Hackett’s lovely debut is a good choice for Melody Carlson devotees.” (Library Journal )

“A stirring and remarkable, life-affirming debut…Kudos to Hackett for presenting a real world, gritty yet soaring tale in which humans must make personal choices between hope and hopelessness...And rest assured that once you’ve finished...you may well look at life and its inevitable conclusion in a new way. (New York Journal of Books )

About the Author

Mary Curran Hackett is an adjunct English professor at the University of Cincinnati. She lives with her husband and children in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Original edition (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062079980
• ISBN-13: 978-0062079985
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Proof of Heaven?, August 5, 2011

By 

K. Davis "Kathy Diamond Davis, author" (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Proof of Heaven: A Novel (Paperback)

(What's this?)

This book is a terrific read. I suppose the central theme is belief in God. Different characters in the book have different beliefs. At some time or another, they all pray. Are their prayers answered? That's hard to say.

Why do they pray? Many of their prayers are for Colm, a little boy who is deathly ill. Colm doesn't believe in God. He believes that at death, there is nothing more than black nothingness. That's what he experiences when his heart stops, which it has done several times. I won't spoil it for you--read the book, and you will find a satisfying ending.

The book is wonderfully written. The author bases the characters and events on things very familiar to her. I hope she will write more novels!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration in the form of a Little Boy, July 29, 2011

By 

Jeanne Anderson (Swartz Creek, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Proof of Heaven: A Novel (Paperback)

(What's this?)

This was an outstanding first novel by Mary Curran Hackett. I can't say enough about how wonderful it was to read. I really read through it quickly and was sorry when it ended.

It is a story of hope and love. It is a story about four individuals, Cathleen, Colm, Sean and Dr. Basu. Cathleen, a single mother struggling to raise her young son Colm, who has an unusual illness that causes him to actually die and come back, a little less healthy each time. Sean is Cathleens younger fireman brother who has been the man in Colms life until they begin to see Dr. Basu. Dr. Basu finally puts a name to the boys problem and gives him a pacemaker and begins treatment to help Colm with what has been diagnosed as a terminal illness.

Cathleen and Sean were raised as strict Irish Catholics. Sean fell away from his beliefs after 9/11 but Cathleen is a fierce believer and believes with prayer there will be a miracle cure to save her son Colm. Dr. Basu brings to the family a close friendship and the voice of medical science and doubt in a "miracle" of any kind. The four become a family of sorts and depend on each other and love and care for each other fiercely.

Colm is a very special little boy, who does not believe in his mothers faith or her GOD but humors her and has worries for her after he is gone, for he is aware that he is dying. Colms only wish is to see the father he never knew and he will go to any length to see this father. This is the heart of the story that tugged at my heartstrings with an absolutely satisfying ending.

This book raises a lot of questions as to Proof of Heaven and a lot of opinions and the importance of family, love and hope. Fantastic!!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Proof of Heaven, August 16, 2011

By 

Sandra Brazier "Artist, educator, and musician" (Beautiful New Hampshire, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Proof of Heaven: A Novel (Paperback)

(What's this?)

Seven-year-old Colm didn't believe in God like his mother did. And Colm had reason to doubt His existence. After all, Colm had died many times and had seen and experienced nothing but darkness. Colm had a disease that caused cardiac arrest at random times throughout his short life. He worried about his mother and all the distress this caused her. He worried about what would happen to her when he wasn't around anymore to take care of her.

Colm is a special, little guy, and the author was very successful in developing her characters. She wrote a successfully meaningful story with only four endearing characters, and she portrays each in a very realistic and genuine manner, filling each with genuine and human feelings.

Ms. Hackett's writing is clear and descriptive and the story line keeps the reader reading and wondering. This is a very enjoyable and unforgettable book