7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Lingering Sense of Hope, May 29, 2002
This review is from: Until Angels Close My Eyes (Mass Market Paperback)
'Until Angels Close My Eyes' is yet another example of Lurlene McDaniel's notoriously melancholy novels. As in her other books, McDaniels is able to portray a sorrowful mood through the characters. However, the final outcome is both depressing and uplifting at the same time. Had the book not had a little hope to cling on to at the end, I wouldn't have enjoyed reading it, but it did. The final message was that in the end, not all was lost.
Leah Lewis-Hall is a seventeen year old english teenager living with her mother and stepfather, Neil. Neil was Leah's mom's fourth and favorite husband, so Leah hoped he was around to stay. She was looking forward to living the rest of her life with just her, Neil, and her mother, that is until she was shot down with devastating news. Neil has cancer. A malignant cancer that could threaten his life. Leah liked Neil, a lot, and didn't want to see yet another father figure dissappear from her life, especially one she cared about so much. On top of that heart-breaking news, Leah had to face the reality that the cancer she once had could also return. So Leah had to live in constant fear of two lives being lost, hers, but mainly Neil's.
There was only one person that provided Leah with the comfort she needed to get through it all. Ethan, her sandy-haired, blue-eyed Amish boyfriend. She had met Ethan last summer while working in an Amish community, and instantly they fell in love with each other. The only problem was that Ethan was Amish, and Leah was English. The two worlds clashed immensly and there was a huge barrier inbetween the two cultures. Lately, Ethan had been experimenting with English ways, dressing English, and even moving out of his Amish household to live with Leah and her family. Leah and Ethan both knew their love was genuine and pure,and they both needed and cherished this love. But they also knew that this culture barrier between them could cause problems for both of their lives. Can Ethan and Leah's love hang tough through the biggest hurdeles of their lives? Can they defy the barrier between their two seperate worlds?
Although there is almost a sad tone throughout the whole book, there are instances that shine through with hope. For example, the angel Gabriella that saves Leah from her cancer, and the changed view from Leah on her mother. At the end of the novel, Leah had a new respect for her mother that came from all of her past and recent experiences. I enjoyed reading this novel because McDaniel balanced Neil's deteriorating cancer condition with certain episodes of hope that made you want to keep reading. The questions,"Will Neil live or die?" and, "Will Leah and Ethans love be able to hang tough?" are not really answered until the last few chapters. This factor makes 'Until Angels Close My Eyes' a quick read that you won't want to put down. My advice is, if you've never seen somebody turn something negative into a postive thing, read this book!!
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Four Stars only because it is SOOO Sad!, May 9, 2000
This review is from: Until Angels Close My Eyes (Mass Market Paperback)
Leah the teenager with cancer has finally come to grips with her disease only to learn her much loved step-father is in relapse with HIS cancer. In her pain and anger, she seeks comfort in the Amish community and specifically in Ethan, her Amish boyfriend. In spite of his family, he loves her and is torn as he tries to make sense of the difference in their lives. The ending takes a turn so sad I had to deduct one star. I closed the book in tears.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
emotional,miraculous,unforgettable book, May 9, 2005
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Until Angels Close My Eyes (Mass Market Paperback)
Leah-Lewis Hall is feeling much better about her diagnosis of cancer but when but when someone she loves is struck by the diease she begins to doubt if she is cured! Leah finds her visit to nappanee where she sees her beloved Ethan comforting. When Ethan decides to stay with leah and her familyfor a while Leah feels the closet to ethan she has ever been however,their worlds, customs, and traditions are still diffrent will leahs "english" ways and Ethans "simple" ways collide or will their love for each other stay strong? You will find yourself laughing, crying, and everything else while you read this book1You will be suprised by the miraculous miracles that take place in this book1 be sure to read the other 2 companions that go with this book angels watching over me and lifted up by angelsand all Lurlene's other great books!
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