5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fascinating "Slice of Life" Story, January 21, 2012
I was caught by surprise when I couldn't put Tasting the Wind down. It's a psychological thriller set in a group home for adults with severe disabilities, but it downplays the thrills to focus on the characters: the residents and the employees who care for them. It's a fascinating window in to a way of life that I know nothing about, and approaches the subject of working with disabilities realistically but with humor. The only thing I found jarring about the story was that it was told from two points of view: first person (Martin's perspective) and third person (everyone else's perspective). After the first few chapters I got accustomed to the switching back and forth and it didn't bother me anymore.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tasting the Wind, August 14, 2011
"Tasting the Wind" has two things going for it. The first, and most obvious, is the thriller storyline. Were it not for blurbs and occasional glimmers in the actions and dialogue of a couple of the patients, you might not realize for a good portion of the book that this is a thriller. The mystery slowly builds. Coming down the stretch, however, the action and suspense pick up and it becomes very apparent.
The other thing I liked is more subtle. One is the exposure to what it is like working with people who have what the author describes on his website (talking about his day job) as "profound and multiple disabilities." (I'm sure there is a term some would deem more politically correct, but I'll stick to the old standby here.) It takes a special kind of person to do well working in this environment. Those who don't care about their patients (or clients) won't do well.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Murder Mystery in a Health Care Facility, October 10, 2009
This review is from: Tasting the Wind (Paperback)
Allan Mayer's "Tasting the Wind" brought back memories of my visits to a long-term-care facility where my mother had spent some time. Allan's characters are so well developed and real-life that I could put faces on them from my meetings with similar caregivers and patients. The descriptions of patients' treatment by the various staff are so authentic, and the anecdotes so real that one cannot wonder if the author is not writing from first-hand experiences?
While the setting of a story in a group-home may not be appealing to some readers, Allan's use of a novel device, the weaving of a murder mystery and humour into the plot, makes the book come alive and a page-turner.
I found the start of the story where an unusual death occurs in a hospital, and its revelation as a murder some years later, captivating. It made me wanting to read on and learn if there might be more similar deaths and the murderer brought to justice. At the same time we learn of the complexities, the difficulties and the intense human interactions needed to run a health care facility. The real life needs and desires of mentally challenged and disabled people are portrayed in a non-intrusive manner that makes us empathise with them. Although Allan brings out his characters on the pages in quick succession, as if in a play, I used the standard technique employed in the theatre, and prepared a list of the cast (in their order of appearance) along with their roles. Perhaps Allan may consider this in his next novel, which might be a sequel? I for one would be interested in learning more about the patients' lives, we had come to esteem, and get to know how they got along in later years.
Reviewed by: Waheed Rabbani, author of, "Doctor Margaret's Sea Chest."
home.cogeco.ca/~wrabbani
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
