Customer Reviews

Random Winds

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wonderful book. Once again Belva Plain brings forth, with beautiful detail, the complexities of life.

This book tells not only the story of three generations of doctors, but it is mainly the story of human souls. Whether you are a doctor or a painter, a decorator, or simply a housewife, you suffer and you rejoice with everything that life brings to you.

Belva Plain makes us understand, through her characters, that nothing in life is simple and straight. Or, black and white. But rather a web of events that moves us back and forth.

Great book and good read.

Random Winds tells the story of one man's life, a doctor whose passionate love for another man's wife threatens the very foundations of his existance. This is one of those impossibly romantic novels one curls up with on a rainy day. Also, as a gay man who read this as a teenager, it was so important to me that Ms. Plain included a positive homosexual character; I've always been appreciative of that.

Dr.Martin Farrell watched his father, also a doctor, work himself to an early death from the constant demands of his country practice, and so is determined to make his own medical career more lucrative. He becomes interested in brain surgery but to be able to afford to train as such, agrees to marry Jessie, the crippled sister of Fern, the woman he has always loved. The girls' wealthy father realizes that this is the only way that Jessie will be married and safe after his death and convinces Martin that this is the only path to his dream of becoming a top brain surgeon. They have a daughter, Claire, a pretty and clever girl who is set to follow in her father's footsteps. Martin and Jessie divorce after bitter fighting and Martin marries Hazel, a homely but good woman who gives him three more children. Martin's professional career grows and develops but he can't forget his love for Fern and this love, though never mentioned, eventually sours his marriage. Claire does become a doctor but prefers a practice more like that of her grandfather with closer contact with her patients. There are many dramas interwoven through this story of three generations of doctors with their personal loves and tragedies, and I found this to be one of those big, cosy reads which are just right when one is in the mood for it.

All the things Dr. Martin Farrell endured in the last century still make headlines today: malpractice lawsuits, a bitter divorce, aging parents, an unhappy marriage, adultery. Not to mention the medical politics that cost Dr. Farrell the leadership of his own institute.

Fresh out of medical school, Martin's plan to go abroad for further study is shelved when his father becomes ill. The elder Dr. Farrell expects Martin to take over his country practice, not realizing his son wants to become a neurologist. When Martin's father dies, leaving him as his mother's sole support, Martin fears he will never realize his dream.

Jessie Meigs, daughter of a wealthy manufacturer, has spent most of her life as an object of pity due to scolliosis. Disregarding Martin's love for her sister, Jessie conspires with her father to pay for Martin's advanced medical training, in exchange for marriage.

Their daughter, Claire, brings them great joy. But Martin's affair with his married sister-in-law costs him his wife and daughter. Lonely and unhappy, Martin is a sitting duck for nurse Hazel's warmth and domesticity. They marry and start a family.

As World War II looms on the horizon, Martin's two families meet. Claire is quickly accepted by her stepmother and half-siblings. But once more, Martin is unable to resist a fling with his sister-in-law. The Farrell family is nearly destroyed by a double tragedy.

Once again, a fabulous read! Ms. Plain's choice of words, timing, descriptions, characters, plot create a book like no other. Truthfully, I feel that way about all of her books and every time I reluctantly finish reading, what I consider an all too short story, I'm repeating her praise.

The Doctors Farrell, father and daughter and grandfather are complex people. Pathetic Hazel and once pathetic, Jesse, the intriguing Mary Fern and all of the other characters are well thought out and hold your attention throughtout the story. You end up feeling like you've been an integral part of each and every character's life with it's successes, failures, heartache, disappointments, etc. Shouldn't a great novel involve the reader in more ways than one? This one certainly does!

Random Winds by Belva Plains. I received this novel in good condition and was pleased with the fast service. Thanks. Janice Ewing

One would have to be a sadist to enjoy this novel full of bad relations, death from floods, war, etc. Disfunctional characters making poor judgements, etc.