A tenderly-written but nonetheless tough love story

A tenderly-written but nonetheless tough love story, February 6, 2013

By 

Kim

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This review is from: One Last Love (Paperback)

Derek Haines very capably puts the reader in front of one of life's imponderables, death - coming swiftly face-to-face with the reality of the unavoidable and immense finality of our lives and discovering a last love at the same time whose beneficial effects would ease the inexorability of the final days.

Delicate, touching yet matter-of-fact as to what was happening and what would happen. Heart-wrenching, although I cried inside - this book made me reconsider my own life, how would I react in similar circumstances (can never be ruled out), how would I face it, how would I look back on days past, what regrets would I have? Made me reflect a lot, which is no bad thing.

It also made me feel hope for people in these circumstances, the knowledge that it was still possible to find some happiness, which in itself can bring relief, albeit temporary.

This book left me with a feeling of, difficult to describe, emptiness in knowing that for the hospice inmates, there was no foreseeable future, and understanding their need to live each minute of each day to the full while they could.

A tough but very worthwhile read, and one that I highly recommend - some Kleenex necessary.

I might come back to this review later, as my thoughts are still fairly jumbled.

A Heartwarming Read

5.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming read..., 

By 

Irish Eyes 

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This review is from: One Last Love (Kindle Edition)

I adore a good love story and One Last Love is an excellent one though so very different from the norm.
Bonnie has only days left to live and as you would expect, he is thinking back over his life and examining his conscience. The other inhabitants of the hospice also cause him to acknowledge his prejudices and faults but he realises that even now, at the 11th hour, it is not too late to change or to make amends.
The strongest thing about this story is its simplicity. When Bonny first arrives he is shocked when a man he saw at dinner is being taken away in a hearse the following morning and that no one seems too upset about the fact. This stark, honest and raw treatment of death is very effective. As is the fact that within twenty-four hours Bonnie too has come to accept that death is simply a normal part of life in the hospice. Yet, every time Bonnie said 'see you tomorrow' to another patient I wondered - as I'm sure the author wanted me to - would he. This alone kept me turning the pages to see who would be next.
As the title suggests, Bonnie finds love with another patient, Madeline and this is so beautifully written. Where other authors might have been tempted to over-dramatise the relationship, Haines keeps it so low-key and honest that it is much more profound and touching.
It was in my mind from the first page that this book could only end in one way but, yet again, Haines did not opt for the easy or predictable finale and I closed the book feeling satisfied and very happy that I had got to know Bonnie.
I will, without doubt, be reading more from Mr Haines!

Review - Sons of Cleito

Kathleen's Goodreads review
Jan 12, 13

As I sit here at my writing desk, one word comes to mind. "Brilliant"
From the start of the first chapter, my gut told me that this was going to be an intriguing, fast paced and exciting book.
I felt as though I was right there along with Langley Garret during his thrilling, terrorizing, suspenseful and sensual journey. There were even times that I just wanted to reach out and console poor Langley. "sniff"
Once again Derek Haine's unique imagination and sterling writing skills do not disappoint.
It was a one night read for me.
I loved it!