Length: Novel
Requested
Blurb: Harold Wainwright is dying. At seventy-nine, stricken with cancer, the billionaire insurance mogul has much to regret. In his youth he rejected his only true love, Jacob, because the young artist was distracting him from the pursuit of wealth and success. Now Harold is alone, rich beyond his wildest dreams รข€¦ and his life is over. Doctor Timothy Drayton has found a way to prolong human life. He has created a computer chip that can be implanted into the human brain, allowing consciousness to be transferred from a dying patient into the mind of a donor subject. Jesse Warren is eighteen years old. He's a track star, model student, and the typical all-American kid. Then tragedy strikes. After a terrible accident, Jesse is pronounced brain dead. His devastated family is ecstatic when Dr. Drayton offers a "new treatment" for brain injury. Convinced that God has sent a miracle, the Warrens are overjoyed when their son wakes from his coma. They hope and pray the amnesia is not permanent. But the real Jesse is gone, his consciousness replaced by Harold Wainwright's. Will Harold make the same mistakes this time around? Or will he take advantage of this rare second chance to find the love that was missing from his former life?
Reviewed by Jamie: Well aside from the slightly creepy front cover, all I can say is, wow!
Having read Jeff Erno before and loved it, reviewing this was certainly a pleasure. Whilst not entirely complex in the writing, Erno tells a tale so well you're dying to get to the end to find out what happens.
As ever, there are some poignant and angsty moments. I think it was on page 9 I almost shed a tear along with a laugh. There was a very bittersweet flavour to this tale, and as I said whilst not overly complex the writing flows easily, and is unpretentious in every way.
The story was a wonderful tale, and a brilliant idea. It also raised some moral questions (not least within myself as the reader!) so if you are not prepared for a bit of soul searching, best not tempt fate!
Whilst a lot of names are mentioned in the blurb, the story is relatively easy -- in a sense -- to follow. The part that isn't easy, is watching the moral questions/dilemmas of cloning and regenesis unfold.
It is basically about the first couple, Harold and Jacob, who lost their chance. Then it is about Harold's second chance, and what he chooses to do with his second chance at life, and if he wants to share it with anybody. I won't say any more as I'll spoil it!
Very gripping, some amazing scenes (not least of all the love scenes) and I got everything I wanted from this story. It was one of those tales that made me want to go out and change the world when I put it down.
Job well done, Mr Erno.
A+
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