Saturday, 29 April 2017

Review : Instructions for a second hand heart



This book revolves around two teenagers, Jonny and Niamh. Jonny is hospitalized, awaiting a new heart, whilst relying on Berlin Heart to be alive. Niamh is always in the shadow of Leo who is her older twin brother. Their lives intertwined when Jonny finally received his new heart from the death of Niamh's twin brother, Leo.

Obviously there many emotional aspects to this book. Dealing with terminally ill children and children who loose their lives is always going to be emotional but that is not the main aspect of this novel, so if you are worried about it being a morbid look at death and cancer and the like, then you need not fear! As I've mentioned above, these characters have a respect for life that so many of us forget about because of how close they have come to loss, but this doesn't mean either that this book is all about the completion of bucket lists and living life to the full. It is more about an attitude and a mind set than an about any actual thing. 



This is a storyline that will bring a lump to your throat and maybe even a tear to your eye. It is an emotional read but one that is also full of hope and also brings awareness to the importance of organ donations which is something I think we should all be aware of from a younger age. I really enjoyed this book and it had a quick pace too so I read it in one sitting and I am sure many more people will find they are unable to put it down too.

Tamsyn Murray has poured her heart and soul into this book and it speaks through the writing. Just when you think you can’t cry anymore, something else comes along to tip you off, until you’re an emotional wreck. 



Rating 4/5

Highly Recommended.


No comments:

Post a Comment