Customer Reviews

A Sundog Moment

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In her jacket biography, first-time novelist Sharon Baldacci (sister to bestselling author David) is described thusly: "Sharon Baldacci was diagnosed with MS twenty-one years ago." The word choice is telling; no where does it say that Baldacci is "a victim of" or "suffers from" the disease, and her own view suffuses this novel with a sense of hope and growth from its opening.

Elizabeth Whittaker and her husband Michael have led a marvelously blessed and socially correct life. Not only are they still wildly in love after years of marriage, they have a beautiful and talented daughter attending the University of Virginia and many friends and family members in their home on Virginia's scenic Northern Neck region. Yes, despite Elizabeth's overdramatic and shallow mother, the Whittakers' life is good.

Until the moment when Elizabeth's doctor explains that her recent symptoms have an underlying cause: multiple sclerosis. So devastated is the couple that they decide at first to keep the disease a secret; Elizabeth chooses to keep wearing the very high heels she adores, even though her newly unsteady gait makes them dangerous.

And for a long time, despite a few mishaps, she is Just Fine, thank you very much --- a common stretch for people with multiple sclerosis, many of whom go for years and even decades showing few symptoms and experiencing little discomfort. But when she winds up back in the hospital and in much worse shape, Elizabeth must not only confront the reality of her disease (crutches, deep fatigue and sensible shoes) but also the reality of others' reactions to it, which drive her away from them and closer to the Neuromuscular Support Group headed by a vivacious woman with more disabilities than Elizabeth who encourages her and other members to own their lives as they are.

Unfortunately, some members of that group have an idea that helps them but harms Elizabeth (don't want to be a spoiler!). However, this incident finally gets Elizabeth to face her fear of Other Peoples' Judgments --- especially her own mother's. A subplot involving an angry yet talented young girl is meant to echo Elizabeth's growth as well as move things along. But it doesn't ring as true as does Elizabeth's recognition that only she is qualified to decide how hard things are for her --- and only she can give up her difficulties to God and let Him effect change in her life.

Throughout the novel, Elizabeth finds solace in a phenomenon that is shown to her called "sundogs": rainbow-like arcs in the sky that fishermen in particular pay attention to as heralding changes in the weather. Sundogs, technically a type of ice halo, appear on either side of the sun and do reveal real atmospheric changes --- they're not simply a folktale. Therefore, they're the perfect metaphor for Elizabeth's very real growth as a Christian --- not simply a crutch for her to use alongside the paraphernalia of her illness, but signs that she is warming up to God's all-consuming, relentless love. At first the final family scene (again, no spoiling!) seemed almost too contrived and too perfect --- but in light of the sundogs and their perfect symmetry, on a second read, Baldacci knows what she's doing. May her hope be contagious.

--- Reviewed by Bethanne Kelly Patrick

I just finished this book today and found it wonderfully and beautifully written. Elizabeth's faith carried her through her doubts and fears of her illness. I loved how Sharon introduced the characters of the story separately but intertwined their lives with one common core. The underlying faith remained constant throughout the novel and my spirituality has been enhanced through Sharon's writing. I am looking forward to Sharon's next novel...I love David's writing as well!!!

The expressions of faith and hope in A Sundog Moment moved me to re-examine my life and search for the presence of God in my life events and relationships. I was particularly impressed with the articulations of faith the author gave to the characters of Lynn Sears Howard and the Episcopal priest. The peace and hope that several of the characters find in the course of the novel are courageous testimony to the power of God. The book was simple and straightforward without preaching and should appeal to a wide spectrum of the faith community.
I honestly do not remember any profanity in the book.

I must disagree with "disappointed's" review. I have MS, the experiences in this book are accurate. While MSer's experience different symptoms and progession of the disease, much of what the author writes about is very real to the those who are dx's and learning to live with a chronic illness. I would encourage this as a book for those who HAVE MS and for those who want to understand MS. The 'drug' use is very real, Montel Williams who has MS is a very vocal advocate for the use of 'recreational drugs' for symptom relief, this is not for me, but the debate is very real. People with MS will get what they need out of the books, those looking for an understanding of the disease should read it with an open mind.(very much a problem with people who don't understand the disease). THE OTHER BENEFIT of the book is the characters struggle w/faith, this was a very unexpected addition to the meaning of the book, that I found personally rewarding. I gave the book a 4(not a five) because I felt she fell into a few "danielle steel" moments with her overly flowerly descriptions of the romance, I found myself thinking 'keep it real and raw' like the rest of the book, get away from the the wordy romance.(oh, by the way I have wonderful marriage too) I am not a STeel fan at all...HOWEVER, it is still very much worth the read.

Elizabeth Whittaker has suddenly developed some mysterious symptoms that have her husband and doctors baffled. Afraid of a brain tumor, they run test after test, relieved to find out that a tumor isn't what is causing her problems. Something incurable is. Her husband, Michael is devastated to learn his wife has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Beautiful, talented Elizabeth laughs the diagnosis off. She'll be fine. Okay, she has a few problems, but they'll go away. She doesn't seem to understand why everyone is so concerned. Her daughter has just left to attend college, now Elizabeth's life is ahead of her.

Once the truth sinks in, the shock is total and the fear overwhelming. Now, Elizabeth must travel down a road she would have never chosen to travel if given a choice. Facing tough physical, emotional and spiritual challenges, Elizabeth searches for relief by making some decisions-and the decision she makes threatens everything she holds dear.

A SUNDOG MOMENT is a beautiful first book written by a talented author. Elizabeth and Michael are a very realistic couple, in love with each other, even after years together. I was saddened by Elizabeth's diagnosis, and hoped the doctors would be wrong.

A SUNDOG MOMENT is a bit thick, but well-worth the time to read. The story is beautiful, told with humor mixed with the truth. Even when the night seems the darkest, God doesn't let you walk the path alone. I couldn't read this book in one sitting, I had to pick it up and read some, then put it down and think about what I read. This book is probably best read in small doses, so you can consider everything.

--- reviewed by Laura V. Hilton for Christian Bookshelf

Michael and Elizabeth Whittaker are a loving well-balanced couple fluid like Astaire and Rogers in all they do. However, without warning, Elizabeth begins to become uncoordinated. Concerned they have her checked out fearing a brain tumor. Though not that, both are stunned when Dr. Jones informs them she suffers from multiple sclerosis. Their harmonious world will never be the same.

Her family and friends react with horror only adding to Elizabeth's sudden feeling of isolation from the secure world she knew. Her mom is over the edge; her best friend has no idea how to act with her; and her loving spouse fears leaving her on her own. Needing understanding not trepidation, Elizbath joins the Northern Neck Neuromuscular Support Group, but some members turn to marijuana for healing and pain relief. Instead Elizabeth turns to Father Wells who advices her to seek the sun where sundogs provide halos of hope when things seem it's darkest.

This insightful inspirational character study will grip the audience from the moment that the heroine begins to comprehend that she has more than just an illness to battle; as caring relatives and buddies drive her up a wall. Elizabeth's search for solace goes through the five steps of grief as she struggles spiritually as much as emotionally especially as her body fails her. Though the realistic portrayal that makes this a strong novel at times slows down the pacing, Sharon Baldacci, an MS sufferer, provides a wonderful tale of a courageous woman.

Sigh... Okay, I fully realize that I am probably a horrible person for not liking a book about a woman struggling with MS, written BY a woman struggling with MS. But I'm sorry, this was a painful read, and not because of the issues that are addressed.

The most immediate problem for me is the writing. I understand that Sharon Baldacci is "an award winning journalist". While I'm sure her writing is fine for journalism, fiction - and especially dialogue - is quite a different thing, and one that I don't think is her strong suit. For example, upon being asked how she's feeling by her doctor, Elizabeth replies "Incredibly better. Whatever is in that liquid you have dripping through my veins? Why, it must be magic!" I think that was the first time I literally cringed, and this was only on page 7. When entering her friends' home, Elizabeth is greeted with "Won't you partake of our coffee and low fat danish?" Real people don't talk this way, and it sounds very unnatural. Even worse is a bit later on in the book while a grieving man talks about his young godson, who has just died in an accident: "As he grew into a bright, insightful boy he was a delight to us, who have never had children. We would plan trips with him, activities to expose him to the beauties of the world - it's plays, theater, music, stories..." Ugh. Such flowery prose might have a place in an essay about loss, but again - no one speaks like that in casual conversation, especially hours after hearing of a loved one's death.

Secondly, and perhaps the biggest problem for me, was that every character was completely unlikeable. The clueless, controlling oaf of a husband; the cold, materialistic mother (she literally rocks and mumbles when her young granddaughter spills the contents of her jewelery box), and the forever drunken best friend were annoying enough. But I couldn't even garner any sympathy for Elizabeth, the protaganist who's given the diagnosis of mutiple sclerosis. Why would I feel sorry for her, when she apparently has no problem with it? I'm exaggerating a bit - she does have moments of despair, but these are brief, and she always overcomes them by thinking of people worse off than her - like people in concentration camps, or with no feet. A real person would have every right to feel sorry for themselves, and a real person WOULD. It's human nature, and would have made Elizabeth's coming to terms with her diagnosis more believable. Instead, her biggest regret seems to be over being unable to wear high heeled shoes. Seriously - this comes up about every other page!

Even when her creepy husband takes it upon himself to tender Elizabeth's resignation from her volunteer job rocking crack babies - without even telling her - she gets angry for about 10 minutes and then forgives him completely because he apologizes and explains he was only trying to do what was best for her. Wow - talk about an abusive relationship! Eventually, Elizabeth does realize what a jackass Michael is and leaves him, but this plotline is wrapped up far too neatly.

Finally, there are some completely contrived situations that made my eyes roll nearly right out of my head, such as the doctor driving drunk and nearly hitting a kid on a bike. He drives off without stopping to see whether he killed him and spends a night in terror of being found out - only to merrily take off for the beach the next morning. There, he immediately recognizes the kid he nearly killed - who he only glimpsed briefly out the windshield late at night while he was drunk. The kid also instantly recognizes the drunk who nearly killed him, and runs right over to beg him not to tell his parents he was riding his bike in the dark. Puh-lease! And the literal "love at first sight" between Elizabeth's daughter Kellan and a member of her support group was cringe-worthy (if the author had written this as a screen play, I can imagine her adding a special effect to show the stars lighting up in their eyes, like in cartoons) and only grew less believable as their relationship and Kellan's saintly acceptance of Gregory's future progressed. And don't even get me started on the Serenity subplot. I've rarely been so relieved to be done reading a book.

I think Ms. Baldacci could probably tell some interesting and inspiring stories about her own experiences with MS. If she'd written in the form of a memoir and not tried to create original characters, dialogue, and plot, it might have been a good read. This way, it just doesn't work.

What a book to put in doctors' offices for those suffering with pain! No, it's not a 'feel good' book - but pain isn't 'feel good'. I have to admit that I know the author slightly, as we all live on the Northern Neck of Virginia where you can't 'not know someone'. But this woman is a true hero, and I'm sending a copy to my adult son who lives with pain. We are not talking about a 'good read' here, we are talking about a truly useful and inspiring book. Oh, and yes, my child gets relief from marijuana that he can't get from any other (government approved) drug.

I was diagnosed with MS in 1993. I feel fortunate in
that I am not severely disabled (yet), but this book
is the only one I know of that deals directly with what it's like to have this scary disease. I see so much of what I experienced in the early years and the book gave me a sense of vindication. I highly recommend this book for all the MS'ers out there, you'll surely see yourself in there somewhere.

As an avid reader since early childhood, I make it a point to read quality books. I was a bit apprehensive about purchasing this book, especially because it was a lengthy book, plus, this is the author's first book.I read novels 3 times, first for the plot, second to get to know the characters and how they interact, and third, for the actual quality in writing. This book, is by far, worth recommending to anyone, especially if you have a situation as the characters, in your own circle of friends and family. The main character, Elizabeth, is what kept my interest as she was dealing with a major change in her life, and trying to maintain a normal life. Those around her reacted to her disease in a way that displeased her. She found a group of peers, people who were somehow dealing with a form of disability, and that is where she felt comfortable. Not only was she learning how to deal with this major change in her life, she was able to give back to the group as well. Not only does the book go into the medical and financial issues of the various diseases that change your body, and the reaction of those around you, but there is an surprise in the book that shows what someone will do to try to go back to a life as it was before. I loved each of Sharon Baldacci's characters, and the role they each played in Elizabeth's life. I loved the fact that Elizabeth didn't view herself as a victim, with a poor me attitude..it was her family that did that. Elizabeth insisted on maintaining control of her life, and doing so with dignity. I am sure after reading this book, you will look at someone forced into a wheelchair in a different light.